Work safety for bricklayers

Of all the trades, bricklayers have one of the highest risks of suffering a manual handling injury at work. So, what precautions can bricklayers take to avoid becoming another statistic?

Australia’s states and territories are responsible for making laws about occupational health and safety (OH&S) and for enforcing those laws. Although each state and territory has its own specific set of requirements, they all have a common goal – to keep workers safe.

For bricklayers, manual handling poses the greatest risk. Manual handling is more than just “lifting”; it encompasses a whole range of actions, including lowering, pushing and pulling. Most injuries are caused by moving bricks around the site and from being in an awkward position when laying them.

To minimise the risk of injury, bricklayers and their employers must adhere to certain safe work practices spelled out by their state government. These include:

• Establishing a clear access/egress way to allow for the safe movement of brick packs and other materials and equipment around the site.
• Delivering materials as close to the job as possible and placing them on flat-level ground.
• Selecting materials that are lighter and easier to handle (this will decrease the overall workload of the bricklayer).
• Considering mechanical lifting and handling equipment to move brick packs and other heavy materials. Equipment includes specifically designed wheelbarrows, brick trolleys, cranes and lift trucks.
• Not relying on team lifting. Team lifting is neither time nor cost-effective, but if it can’t be avoided, all bricklayers must be properly trained.
• Site induction (training, etc.) and ongoing supervision from the principal contractor, including maintenance of clear walkways.
• Securing and maintaining working platform planks. They should be secured to allow bricklayers to complete their work with a good posture.
• Good housekeeping will decrease the number of obstructions – and hopefully accidents.

Mandated regulations aside, there are a number of tips and tricks bricklayers can also follow to reduce those aches and pains – or prevent something more serious from happening. They include:

• Maximising the time spent bricklaying between knee and shoulder height by continually altering the height of the work platform.
• Raising the mortarboard to reduce time spent in a stooped posture.
• Completing cutting work at hip height.
• Avoiding muscle damage and warming up and cooling down by stretching at the beginning and end of each work day.
• Not lifting anything manually if there’s even just a slight hint of doubt it can’t be done safely.
• Always using the lightest tools necessary.
• Seeking help if you need it!