Description
Plasterers apply plaster made from gypsum, cement or other solutions to walls as a smooth finish. They mix dry plaster powder with water, then smear the resulting paste onto a wall. The plaster is then smoothed before it hardens and forms a solid coating on the wall.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to plasterer:
fibrous plasterer
plaster labourer
solid plasterer
wall plasterer
stucco mason
plaster worker
wall finisher
heritage plasterer
Minimum qualifications
A high school diploma is generally required to work as a plasterer.
ISCO skill level
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.
Plasterer is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Plasterer career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to plasterer.
resilient floor layer
insulation worker
paperhanger
ceiling installer
construction painter
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of plasterer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of plasterer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
plastering supervisor
insulation supervisor
paperhanger supervisor
construction painting supervisor
tiling supervisor
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of plasterer.
- Types of plastering materials: Types of plastering materials containing different proportions of materials such as gypsum, cement and lime, each with their own properties, usage cases and cost.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of plasterer.
- Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
- 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.
- Plaster surfaces: Apply plaster to a prepared surface manually or using a mechanical plaster spreader. Finish the plaster layer with a plastering trowel or screed. Polish the surface to a matte finish to make sure any other coverings adhere to the surface. Inspect the result and retouch if necessary.
- 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.
- Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermal 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.
- 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.
- Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
- 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.
- Apply adhesive wall coating: Apply an adhesive coating, usually based on PVA, to a wall to ensure a good bond between the wall and a covering layer, such as plaster.
- Cut wall chases: Cut a narrow channel in a wall or other partition in order to run cables through it. Cut the channel straight and without causing unnecessary damage. Be sure to avoid existent wires. Lead the cables through the chase and fill it up with the appropriate material.
- Prepare surface for plastering: Prepare the wall or other surface to be plastered. Make sure the wall is free of impurities and moisture, and is not too smooth as this will prevent proper adherence of the plastering materials. Decide whether an adhesive wall coating is called for, especially if the wall is damp or very porous.
- 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.
- Place drywall: Place sections of drywall against a surface. Put joists in place. Plan the amount of drywall necessary and the pattern they will be installed in to minimise the number of joints.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plasterer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of plasterer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- 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.
- Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
- Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
- Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
- Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
- Craft ornamental plastering: Create ornaments from plaster to adorn walls and ceilings. Craft medallions, cornices and wall panels directly on the surface or at a workshop.
- 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 work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
- Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
- Tape drywall: Seal the joints between panels of drywall. Fill the tapered edges of the panels with joint compound and press joint tape into the compound. Let dry and cover with one or several layers of joint compound, leaving time for each layer to dry and sanding lightly to obtain a smooth finish.
- Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Place gypsum blocks: Construct non-load bearing walls out of solid gypsum blocks. Choose the right thickness and sound insulation value and decide whether the wall needs to be resistant to water. Plan the wall, place the blocks, and glue them using gypsum adhesive. Check if the gypsum block wall is structurally sound.
- 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.
- Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
- 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.
- Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
- Select restoration activities: Determine restoration needs and requirements and plan the activities. Consider the desired results, the level of intervention required, evaluation of alternatives, constraints on actions, stakeholder demands, possible risks and future options.
- Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
- 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.
ISCO group and title
7123 – Plasterers
References
- Plasterer – ESCO