Bricklaying & Masonry

Under Australian WHS legislation, a SWMS is mandatory for high-risk construction work as defined in the Work Health and Safety Regulations. For bricklaying and masonry, this includes any work involving a risk of fall from height of two metres or more, work requiring the use of scaffolding, work involving penetration of load-bearing structures, and work in or near confined spaces. Even for lower-risk masonry work not meeting these criteria, preparing a SWMS demonstrates proactive safety management and provides valuable documentation of hazard identification and risk control. Many principal contractors and commercial clients now require SWMS documentation for all trade work regardless of regulatory requirements. It is considered best practice to have a SWMS for any masonry work beyond minor repairs or maintenance.

Controlling silica dust requires implementing the hierarchy of controls starting with elimination and substitution. Where possible, use pre-cut materials or mechanical cutting methods rather than hand grinding. Engineering controls should include wet cutting systems that suppress dust at the source, on-tool dust extraction with HEPA filtration, and isolation of cutting areas with barriers and negative air pressure. Administrative controls include limiting the duration of cutting activities, rotating workers to minimise individual exposure, and implementing good housekeeping with wet cleaning methods rather than dry sweeping. As a last resort, provide respiratory protective equipment including fitted P2 or P3 respirators that workers must wear during cutting, grinding, or high-dust activities. All workers performing regular cutting must undergo baseline and periodic health monitoring including lung function testing. Document all dust control measures in your SWMS and ensure workers are trained in their correct use.

Manual handling controls for bricklaying must address the repetitive lifting and positioning of heavy materials. Where practicable, eliminate manual handling through mechanical aids such as brick tongs, vacuum lifters, scissor lifts for material elevation, and telehandlers for pallet placement at working height. Arrange work to minimise lifting from ground level by using elevated mortar boards and brick packs at waist height. Implement team lifting protocols for blocks and stone materials exceeding 20 kg. Train workers in correct lifting techniques including maintaining neutral spine position, using leg muscles rather than back muscles, and avoiding twisting while loaded. Ensure adequate recovery time through task rotation between laying, cutting, and material preparation. Provide anti-fatigue matting for workers spending extended periods kneeling or standing. Your SWMS should specify maximum weights for single-person lifting and require mechanical aids or team lifting beyond these limits.

Bricklayers typically complete a Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying through an apprenticeship combining on-the-job training with formal education. Stonemasons complete a Certificate III in Stonemasonry or Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling depending on the specific work. For high-risk construction work, additional qualifications are required: workers erecting, altering, or dismantling scaffolding must hold a Scaffolding Work High Risk Work Licence, and those operating elevating work platforms over 11 metres require an EWP High Risk Work Licence. Workers using powder-actuated tools need specific competency certification. All workers must complete general construction induction training (White Card) before commencing any construction work. For specialised work such as heritage restoration, additional formal qualifications and demonstrated experience may be required. Supervisors should hold relevant trade qualifications plus experience in supervision and safety management. Document all required qualifications in your SWMS and verify worker competency before allowing them to perform specific tasks.

Scaffold safety begins with engaging qualified scaffolders holding High Risk Work Licences to design, erect, and dismantle scaffolding. The scaffold design must account for the specific loading requirements of masonry work, typically requiring higher load ratings than basic access scaffolding due to the weight of brick pallets, mortar, and equipment. Before allowing workers onto scaffolding, verify that it has been inspected by a competent person and tagged with a green inspection tag indicating it is safe for use with specified load limits. Check that platforms are fully planked with no gaps exceeding 225mm, edge protection including top rails at 900-1100mm and mid-rails preventing falls, and safe access via internal stairs or protected ladders. Conduct daily pre-start checks for any damage, missing components, or modifications, and never remove scaffold components or modify the structure without authorisation from the scaffolding company. Do not overload platforms with materials, and maintain the maximum number of workers specified in the scaffold design. Document scaffold requirements and inspection procedures in your SWMS.