Bricklayer

Bricklayers assemble brick walls and structures by skilfully laying the bricks in an established pattern, using a binding agent like cement to bond the bricks together. They then fill the joints with mortar or other suitable materials.

Includes people working with industrial oven brickmasons.

The duties of a bricklayer include, but are not limited to:

• Reading blueprints and other drawings to determine layout and measurements, noting any special requirements or accommodations for materials or equipment
• Planning, measuring, cutting, drilling, and laying bricks or blocks in accordance with project specifications
• Installing scaffolding, hoists, ladders, cranes, or other equipment needed for specific projects
• Mixing mortar, sand, or other ingredients as requested by the project specifications
• Standing for long periods of time while working on scaffolds or high places
• Installing brick veneer on walls and repairing cracks or other damage
• Using bricklaying tools such as trowels, saws, hammers, levels, plumb bobs, stakes, and string lines to measure, layout, and cut bricks
• Inspecting completed work to ensure that it meets specifications
• Cutting and shaping masonry materials such as stone, concrete, and ceramics, using power saws and other equipment.

Bricklayers typically work outdoors on construction sites, where they are exposed to a variety of weather conditions. They may work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet deadlines. They also may work overtime during peak construction periods. Because bricklayers work with heavy materials and tools and often must stand, stoop, and kneel for long periods of time, the job can be physically demanding.

In addition, bricklayers must be able to lift heavy bricks and mortar and must have good hand-eye coordination to lay bricks correctly.

The following job titles also refer to bricklayer:

specialist brick layer
brick laying labourer
trowel occupation worker
brick laying worker
industrial oven brickmason
brick layer

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a bricklayer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Bricklayer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bricklayer.

plasterer
insulation worker
stonemason
resilient floor layer
concrete finisher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bricklayer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bricklayer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

bricklaying supervisor
concrete finisher supervisor
plastering supervisor
terrazzo setter supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor

These skills are necessary for the role of bricklayer.

• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Lay bricks: Lay bricks in the specified pattern and apply a layer of mortar to create walls. Make sure every course of bricks is level and flush.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Split bricks: Use the appropriate tools to trim, split and shape bricks for use in walls. Use a mason’s hammer for occasional shaping, and a hammer and chisel for larger quantities or when the split has to be especially straight.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Check straightness of brick: Use tools such as the level or the mason’s line to check if the wall is straight and flush, and take action if it isn’t.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Mix construction grouts: Mix construction materials with water and other materials based on the appropriate recipe. Mix thoroughly to prevent lumps. Avoid contamination, which will adversely affect the properties of the mixture.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Finish mortar joints: Use a trowel to apply extra mortar to joints to smoothen and finish them after the mortar has partially hardened. Make sure that the joints are full to prevent dampness and other outside influences from passing through the wall.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bricklayer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Building codes: The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bricklayer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Apply proofing membranes: Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
• Apply restoration techniques: Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
• Use squaring pole: Use a squaring pole, a telescopic measurement pole that allows for checking the length of the diagonals of an inset area of a structure. If the diagonals are of equal length, the inset is straight.
• Reinforce concrete: Reinforce concrete by inserting reinforcing steel members.
• Apply finish to concrete: Finish concrete using a variety of techniques like polishing and acid staining.
• Operate masonry power saw: Use a masonry power saw to cut bricks to the right size and shape. Operate a table saw or hand-held saw.
• Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Pour concrete: Pour concrete into a form from a mixer truck chute, hopper or hose. Pour the correct amount to balance efficiency with the risk of the concrete not setting completely.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Inspect supplied concrete: Check the quantity and quality of delivered concrete. Make sure that the concrete will withstand any expected pressures.
• Mix concrete: Use compact concrete mixers or various ad-hoc containers such as wheelbarrows to mix concrete. Prepare the correct quantities of cement, water, aggregate and optional added ingredients, and mix the ingredients until an homogenous concrete is formed.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Document survey operations: Complete and file all required administrative, operational and technical documents related to a survey operation.
• Remove concrete forms: Remove concrete forms after the concrete has cured fully. Recuperate materials if possible, cleaning it and taking the right steps to store it for later reuse.
• Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermical or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Install falsework: Read technical documentation and drawings, and assemble the pipes and beams to build the temporary structure that will support arched or spanning structures during construction.
• Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Place concrete forms: Set up forms out of wood, plywood, various plastics, or other suitable materials to form concrete into supportive columns or walls. Place sheathing delineating the shape of the planned structure and use supportive constructions, usually incorporating wales, cleats and stakes, to keep the sheathing firmly in place as the concrete cures.
• Operate surveying instruments: Operate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.
• Screed concrete: Smooth the surface of freshly poured concrete using a screed.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

7112 – Bricklayers and related workers

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References

1. Bricklayer – ESCO
2. Bricklayer Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
3. Featured image: Photo by Nishant Aneja