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leadhand
DCHP-3 (Oct 2022)
Spelling variants:lead hand
n. & adj. — Trades
a worker with supervisory responsibilities.
Type: 5. Frequency — As shown in Chart 1, leadhand is more frequently used in Canada, especially in comparison to the US; it is not listed in Merriam-Webster Unabridged. While OED-3 also does not list the term, leadhand is in wider use in the Commonwealth countries (see Chart 1). Adjectival uses, such as lead hand worker, are also possible. The more dominant form in New Zealand and Australia is leading hand, while in the UK the main meaning refers to a surgical tool also found in South Africa. When lead hand is found in the US, it refers to job opportunities in Canada from advertisements. The term surfaces in the 1950s in Ontario and Montreal English newspapers, of which Image 1 shows an example.
The term is also Type 2 - Preservation (from the UK) though its use is not as frequent there as in Canada.
The term is also Type 2 - Preservation (from the UK) though its use is not as frequent there as in Canada.
The equivalent US term is foreman, which is also found in Canada. Note the analogical pattern to related figurative metonymical terms, such as farm hand, hired hand and the like.
Lead hand is a shortening of leading hand (see the 1895 quotation), also common on naval ships (see the 1943 quotation).
Quotations
1895
A large crowd of friends and acquaintances gathered at the Episcopal Church, on Thursday afternoon, April 18th, to witness the solemnization of matrimony between Mr. Simon Fraser, the popular leading hand in the C.P.R. shops and Miss Flora Woodhouse, of Vancouver.
1943
He find that the Captain, First Lieutenant, and Navigating Officer are known as the Old Man, the Jimmy and the Skipper; and that the man next to be feared in the R.P.O. or crusher, who acts as policeman for the ship. Similarly, leading hands become killicks or hookies, stokers become dustmen or "Hey, Stokes!" and the chaplain, if there is one aboard, become the Sky Pilot.
1952
Tradesmen with at least four years pertinent experience required for maintenance and installation of Roxboro, Minneapolis-Honeywell, Taylor. Bristol and Bailey and other makes of industrial instruments. We also have a vacancy for a Leadhand to carry out field and shop supervision of above tradesmen.
1967
Experienced electrician with initiative, to be a leadhand of an electrical department in an interior sawmill and veneer plant.
1973
Leadhand Trainee
Mechanically inclined, responsible individual for a high volume light manufacturing plant in Mississauga. Ability to absorb training is important but an attitude and desire for added responsibility is imperative.
Mechanically inclined, responsible individual for a high volume light manufacturing plant in Mississauga. Ability to absorb training is important but an attitude and desire for added responsibility is imperative.
1996
KAREN WATSON, 47, leadhand/warehouse worker. Metchosin councillor since January 1993, chairwoman of the Highways and Public Works Committee and the Metchosin representative on the Intermunicipal Committee.
2001
Yvon Gallant, 52, of Toronto, formerly of Moncton, passed away Friday, May 11, 2001 at The Moncton Hospital following a brief illness. Born August 25, 1948 in Moncton, he was the son of Rosalie (Richard) Gallant, and the late Emilien Gallant. He was a leadhand for Metro Warehousing in Toronto, and was an avid bowler.
2011
The three-year collective agreement, ratified last month by the CUPE membership, was adopted by Brandon City Council Monday night and is retroactive to Jan.1 of this year.
In addition to the annual wage increases, the contract includes salary adjustments for building and plumbing inspectors, the community planner job classification and the Tradeworker 3 position. It also establishes a $30 per month tool allowance for specific positions, provides a safety boot allowance for temporary employees with recognized seniority, increases leadhand pay by $1 an hour, and establishes a provision for temporary employees to bank a maximum of overtime hours.
The contract expires on Dec. 31, 2013.
CUPE Local 69 represents approximately 275 full and part-time employees in several different city departments.
2014
The old girl will look lopsided this year - and perhaps permanently. How much depends on the skill of our arborists. Since the Norway is exposed at the top of a steep ridge, the wind and fast-freezing ice stripped one-third of the canopy. Today, the city crew takes another third.
They drag the cut branches to a wood chipper near their trucks. The chips will be used by the city to fill in park trails and the like.
Today's crew also includes Brian Ruffo, leadhand arborist, or crew leader, and arborist Hank Dierx. They or others will return later in the season to ensure the Norway is growing straight. They'll pay another visit next spring.
In his 25 years with the city, Phillips says he's never seen a worse ice storm or worse damage done to the city's trees. Throughout the GTA, about 20 per cent of the tree canopy is gone; in some areas, it's more like 40 to 60 per cent.
Phillips used to go up in the trees himself. "My wife came to watch me one day," he says, "and said she'd never come back. She couldn't bear to look."
2023
What does a lead hand do at work?
A lead hand oversees a team assigned to them and coordinates tasks. They act as intermediaries between employees and supervisors and typically work in large organizations. For example, construction companies may have welder and electrician lead hands. You may also find these workplace leaders in production facilities, such as food or beverage processing companies. Here are other duties and responsibilities of a lead hand:
A lead hand oversees a team assigned to them and coordinates tasks. They act as intermediaries between employees and supervisors and typically work in large organizations. For example, construction companies may have welder and electrician lead hands. You may also find these workplace leaders in production facilities, such as food or beverage processing companies. Here are other duties and responsibilities of a lead hand:
References
- OED-3
- Merriam-Webster Unabridged
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 23 April 2024
