Bricklaying and Masonry RAMS Guide for UK Contractors
Bricklaying and masonry RAMS must address the COSHH hazards of respirable crystalline silica dust — one of HSE's primary enforcement priorities — the chemical burn and dermatitis risk from wet cement and mortar, the significant manual handling burden of bricks, blocks, and mortar, and the scaffold and falling materials controls required for working at height on masonry structures. This guide explains what a Risk Assessment and Method Statement for bricklaying and masonry contractors must contain.
Key Topics in a Bricklaying and Masonry RAMS
- Silica dust COSHH and the WEL for respirable crystalline silica
- The Workplace Exposure Limit for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) under EH40 — one of the most strictly enforced WELs in UK construction. Brick, block, mortar, and concrete all contain crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, chasing, and drilling brickwork generates fine respirable dust particles that, with repeated exposure, can cause silicosis (an irreversible and potentially fatal lung disease) and are associated with lung cancer. The RAMS must identify all silica-containing materials in the scope, assess dust exposure for each cutting and grinding task, and specify controls: water suppression on all disc cutting and angle grinding; on-tool extraction where water suppression is not practical; FFP3 RPE worn for all silica-generating operations as backup; and vacuum-based housekeeping (no dry sweeping). HSE inspectors regularly check for silica dust controls on bricklaying sites.
- Cement burns and dermatitis
- Wet cement, mortar, and concrete are strongly alkaline (pH 12–13) and cause progressive chemical burns on prolonged skin contact. The burns may not be immediately painful — the alkaline reaction continues while cement is in contact with skin — and can result in full-thickness burns requiring hospital treatment. Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) in Portland cement causes occupational allergic contact dermatitis with repeated exposure. The RAMS must require CE-marked cement-resistant gloves (nitrile or rubber) worn at all times when handling wet mortar or cement; cement-resistant knee pads when kneeling on fresh mortar; and a first aid procedure for cement contact: remove contaminated clothing immediately; wash with copious water for at least 20 minutes; seek medical advice if a chemical burn is suspected. Standard leather or fabric gloves must not be used with wet cement — they absorb and hold cement against skin.
- Scaffold loading and falling materials
- Masonry scaffold carries a much heavier materials load than typical trade scaffold — bricklayers' scaffold must be designed to carry the combined weight of bricks, blocks, mortar, and personnel. The RAMS must confirm: the scaffold has been designed for masonry loading; pallet quantities do not exceed the bay load rating; materials are distributed across bays (not stacked in one position); toeboards are in place at all working platform levels; and a safe exclusion zone is established below the working platform to protect workers and members of the public from falling objects. Scaffold must be inspected at least weekly and after adverse weather.
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