Mud, trenches and concrete pours
Groundworkers do the first and dirtiest work on any site: excavating, laying drains, setting out, shuttering and pouring foundations. The work means heavy lifting, long hours on your feet in mud, breakers and compactors, and working near plant and open trenches.
Common problems include back and knee injuries, crushed hands and feet, and vibration damage to the hands after years on heavy tools. Concrete burns and skin trouble are an occupational hazard too. Cold, wet winters on exposed sites add to the toll.
Digging near live services adds a risk most people never think about. Striking a buried cable or gas main is rare, but the permits and checks on site exist for good reason.
Gangs, agencies and day rates
Groundwork is often done by subcontract gangs paid under the Construction Industry Scheme, or by workers supplied through agencies. Day rates can be decent, but if you are off, the money stops. Agency workers may qualify for statutory sick pay, which is far below a groundworker's usual pay.
Directly employed groundworkers at bigger contractors may get better sick pay and sometimes death in service. Check what applies to you before setting your waiting period.
- CIS subcontractor: no sick pay, cover based on declared profits
- Agency worker: statutory sick pay at most, if you qualify
- Directly employed: check company sick pay and benefits
- Ganger or foreman: supervisory time may help your rating
Ratings for heavy site work
Insurers rate occupations by claim risk. Groundwork usually falls into a heavy manual class, so premiums are higher and some insurers will only pay if you cannot do any suitable work, or cannot manage a list of basic tasks. Short-term cover paying for a limited period per claim is common.
A plant operator who mainly drives a digger, or a ganger who mostly sets out and supervises, may be rated more favourably than a general groundworker. Be precise about your role.
Life cover for site workers
Should you die during the policy, life cover pays a lump sum. Groundwork rarely affects life cover terms. A policy written in trust can clear the mortgage and support your partner and children without delay.
If you are directly employed with death in service, keep in mind it ends when you move to another firm or go self-employed.
How Hi Tomorrow helps groundworkers
We ask how you are paid, what you do on site and what your bills look like, then search our panel for the best terms available for groundwork. We explain clearly what a stricter definition or limited payment period means for you.
We help with the application and support you through any claim. If you are moving between agency, CIS and direct employment, we can also check that your cover still matches how you are paid, because insurers treat each one a little differently when you claim.