Bricklaying Safety

Bricklaying involves manually placing bricks and mortar to construct walls, exposing workers to several specific trade hazards.
Cement in mortar causes chemical burns and chrome VI dermatitis — waterproof gloves and barrier cream are essential.
Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive lifting, bending, and twisting are the most common health issue for bricklayers.
Working at height from scaffolds is a daily activity — bricklayers must check the scaffold before use each day.
Cutting bricks and blocks with disc cutters or bolsters generates silica dust requiring RPE and dust suppression.
Wall stability during construction must be maintained — partially built walls can collapse in wind or from impact.
Bricklayers frequently work in all weather conditions — wind, rain, and cold affect both safety and mortar quality.
Eye injuries from mortar splashes and flying fragments during cutting are common without proper eye protection.
Brick and block deliveries involve heavy palletised loads requiring safe crane or telehandler offloading procedures.
Correct PPE for bricklaying includes gloves, eye protection, dust mask when cutting, and kneeling pads for ground work.

Cement dermatitis	Chrome VI in cement causes permanent allergic dermatitis — waterproof gloves and barrier cream prevent this career-ending condition.
Silica dust	Cutting bricks and blocks releases respirable crystalline silica — without dust controls, it causes silicosis and lung cancer.
Manual handling	Bricklayers handle thousands of bricks per day — correct technique and regular breaks prevent chronic back and shoulder damage.

Do

Don't

Wear waterproof gloves and apply barrier cream before handling mortar and cement.
Use correct lifting technique — bend your knees and keep your back straight.
Check the scaffold platform, guardrails, and tag before accessing each morning.
Use water suppression or on-tool extraction when cutting bricks or blocks.
Wear safety goggles when cutting with a disc cutter or striking with a bolster.
Monitor wall stability in windy conditions — temporarily brace or protect new walls.
Rotate tasks and take breaks to reduce repetitive strain from continuous bricklaying.
Ensure brick deliveries are offloaded safely using cranes or telehandlers, not by hand.
Use kneeling pads or boards when working at ground level for extended periods.
Wash cement off skin immediately and report any redness, cracking, or itching.

DON'T handle mortar or cement without waterproof gloves and barrier cream applied.
DON'T bend from the waist when lifting bricks — use your legs and keep your back straight.
DON'T use a scaffold without checking it is tagged safe and fully boarded.
DON'T cut bricks dry — use water or extraction to control silica dust generation.
DON'T use a disc cutter or bolster without wearing safety goggles for eye protection.
DON'T leave partially built walls unsupported in high winds — they can collapse.
DON'T work continuously without breaks — repetitive bricklaying causes cumulative strain.
DON'T unload brick pallets by hand — use mechanical lifting equipment provided.
DON'T kneel on hard surfaces for prolonged periods without kneeling protection.
DON'T ignore skin irritation from cement — early treatment prevents permanent dermatitis.

See also: Cement and Concrete Burns | Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

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