Tar Pusher

A Tar Pusher is a laborer who works in road mending, roofing, or some other field that consists of placing asphalt or tar on a horizontal surface.

Qualifications

A Tar Pusher is a physically and mentally taxing occupation. Thus, there are a some criteria that must be met in order to be considered even a novice Tar Pusher, and to be safe:
* Medium to heavy Build: This is rather important because the worker is, indeed, pushing tar. Tar is a very dense material and it's viscosity is very high, making it difficult to "push" or move.
* A well grounded mind that can withstand the long hours of repetitious and tedious tasks that are associated with Tar Pushing.
* Sufficient knowledge of the materials being used, considering tar is a very dangerous substance. Different techniques should also be learned in order to work at one's best.

Hazards

There are many hazards associated with this profession:

Burns

It is very easy to get a burn from tar. It needs to be extremely hot in order to be worked, thus Tar Pushers deal with this hot substance daily.

Heat Stroke

This job is frequently done outside, and in warm weather. Not only is the Tar Pusher working with a hot substance, but he/she is also wearing protective gear, and working in the sun. This frequently results in heat stroke.

Muscle aches and back problems

Being a Tar Pusher means exerting one's body day in and day out. The Tar Pusher pushes his/her body to the limit. This often results in muscle aches, back problems, broken bones, head trauma, dyslexia, and other things.

Toxic Effects

Caused by fumes given off by tar, which smells strangely like "skunk funk".

ee also

* Construction worker

Cited Works

* http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0600/d000666/14.html
* http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1272047