Risk Assessments · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

RAMS — Brickwork and Blockwork

This RAMS covers bricklaying and blockwork operations including manual handling of heavy blocks, mortar mixing, scaffold access, and wall stability during construction. It addresses cement contact risks, musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive work, and wind loading on partially completed walls requiring temporary propping.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. MHSWR 1999 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3 + COSHH 2002 (mortar / silica / Cr VI) + Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 + WAH Regulations 2005 + Noise at Work Regulations 2005 + HAV Regulations 2005 + PUWER 1998 (abrasive wheels)
Key guidance	COSHH Essentials for construction; EH40 WELs for silica and cement; L23 Manual Handling guidance; SG4:15 scaffold edge protection
Who	Bricklaying contractor, blocklaying contractor
COSHH substances	Mortar (alkaline, causes burns); hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) in cement; respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from cutting bricks/blocks; silica dust from chasing
Manual handling	Bricks 2-4 kg each, blocks 15-35 kg each, mortar bags 25 kg — repetitive handling throughout the shift is the primary MSD risk
Enforcing authority	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

1. What It Covers

Brickwork and blockwork is one of the most physically demanding trades on a construction site. A RAMS for this work scope must address the full range of hazards associated with the trade — from manual handling injuries and musculoskeletal disorders through to chemical exposure from mortar and silica dust, falls from scaffold platforms, and risks from cutting equipment.

The legal framework draws on multiple regulations. COSHH 2002 applies to wet mortar, hexavalent chromium in cement, and respirable crystalline silica generated when cutting bricks and blocks. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 apply to the repetitive handling of bricks, blocks, and mortar throughout the working day. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work from scaffold platforms. The Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 apply to the use of disc cutters, block splitters, and masonry saws. PUWER 1998 applies specifically to the use of abrasive wheels for cutting.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the dominant health risk in bricklaying

A bricklayer handling standard bricks will lift and place between 400 and 600 bricks per day, each weighing 2-4 kg. Over a full shift, this equates to over one tonne of material handled manually in repetitive, often awkward postures. Musculoskeletal disorders of the back, shoulders, wrists, and knees are the most common cause of ill-health retirement in this trade. The RAMS must address manual handling as a primary hazard, not an afterthought.

2. Manual Handling

Manual handling is the single greatest health risk in brickwork and blockwork. The following table sets out the five principal manual handling tasks, the risk factors for each, and the control measures that should be specified in the RAMS.

Task	Load	Risk factors	Controls
Laying bricks (repetitive placing)	2-4 kg per brick; 400-600 bricks per day	Repetitive stooping and twisting; shoulder height work at top of lift; wrist loading from trowel use; static kneeling at low level	Work platform height adjusted to reduce stooping; material stacked at waist height; task rotation between wall lifts; knee pads or kneeling mats; regular breaks
Laying blocks	15-35 kg per block (dense concrete blocks at upper end)	Heavy individual loads; two-hand grip required; awkward shapes; blocks often placed at or above shoulder height at top of lift	Mechanical handling to scaffold platform (hoist, crane); two-person lift for blocks over 20 kg; lightweight block specification where structurally acceptable; mini crane or block lifter for high-level work
Mixing and carrying mortar	25 kg per bag of cement; mortar tubs 20-30 kg when loaded	Repetitive carrying; wet mortar increases weight; uneven scaffold surfaces; shovelling into tubs	Silo mortar delivery to eliminate bag handling; mortar pump to deliver to working level; mortar tubs sized to reduce individual load; mechanical hoist for vertical transport
Loading out scaffold platforms	Pallet of bricks 1.5-2 tonnes; individual packs 500-1000 kg	Overloading scaffold; materials stacked too high; manual handling from pallet to working position	Scaffold designed for material loading; materials placed by crane or hoist; maximum stack height specified; scaffold loading plan agreed with scaffold contractor
Cutting bricks and blocks	Individual units 2-35 kg; disc cutter 5-10 kg	Holding and positioning units for cutting; vibration from disc cutter; dust generation; noise	Bench-mounted masonry saw to eliminate hand-held cutting where practicable; block splitter for straight cuts; water suppression; HAV assessment for disc cutter use

Dense concrete blocks over 20 kg should not be laid by one person

HSE guidance is clear that concrete blocks weighing over 20 kg should not be manually handled by a single operative in a repetitive laying operation. Where dense concrete blocks are specified, the RAMS must address how the blocks will be handled — either by specifying two-person lifting, by using mechanical aids such as a mini crane or block grab, or by substituting lighter-weight blocks where the structural design permits. The designer has a duty under CDM 2015 Regulation 9 to consider buildability and the health risks associated with the materials they specify.

3. Key Hazards

The following table sets out the principal hazards associated with brickwork and blockwork, who is at risk, the key risk factors, and the control measures that should be addressed in the RAMS.

Hazard	Who at risk	Risk factors	Control measures
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)	Bricklayers, blocklayers, labourers	Repetitive manual handling; stooping, twisting, and kneeling throughout the shift; shoulder-height work at top of wall lifts; cumulative loading over weeks and months	Manual handling assessment; work platform height management; task rotation; lightweight blocks where structurally acceptable; mechanical handling to working level; rest breaks; occupational health surveillance
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS)	Operatives cutting bricks and blocks; adjacent trades	Dry cutting with disc cutter or angle grinder generates airborne silica dust; chasing blockwork for services; WEL 0.1 mg/m3 8-hour TWA	Water suppression on all cutting equipment; bench-mounted wet-cutting masonry saw; on-tool extraction where practicable; RPE (FFP3 minimum) where dust not controlled at source; COSHH assessment; health surveillance (spirometry)
Cement burns and Cr(VI) dermatitis	All operatives handling mortar	Wet mortar is highly alkaline (pH 12-13); prolonged skin contact causes chemical burns; Cr(VI) in cement causes irreversible allergic contact dermatitis once sensitised	Waterproof barrier gloves (not fabric); long sleeves; wash facilities immediately available; low-chromate cement where available; COSHH assessment; skin checks; health surveillance for dermatitis
Falls from scaffold	Bricklayers, labourers, hod carriers	Working from scaffold platforms at height; access and egress via ladders; overloaded or poorly maintained scaffold; gaps in edge protection	Scaffold erected, inspected, and maintained by competent contractor; edge protection (guard rail, mid rail, toe board) to SG4:15; scaffold inspection before each shift; safe access (internal staircase where practicable); no work from incomplete scaffold lifts
Falling objects	All operatives at ground level and lower scaffold lifts	Bricks, blocks, tools, and mortar dropped from scaffold platforms; materials dislodged during loading out; wind catching loose materials	Toe boards on all scaffold platforms; brick guards or debris netting on external face; materials secured on platforms; tool lanyards; exclusion zones below active work areas; hard hats mandatory in drop zone
Abrasive wheels (disc cutters)	Operative using the cutter; nearby operatives	Disc burst or shatter; contact with spinning disc; sparks and debris; incorrect disc fitted; disc guard removed	PUWER-compliant abrasive wheels training (mandatory for all users); correct disc type and size for the cutter; guard in place; RPE and eye protection; hearing protection; pre-use inspection of disc and cutter
Noise	Operative using disc cutter or masonry saw; adjacent operatives	Disc cutters and masonry saws typically produce 100-110 dB(A); exposure action value 80 dB(A) daily; exposure limit value 87 dB(A) daily	Noise assessment; low-noise equipment where available; hearing protection (SNR matched to noise level); hearing protection zones designated and signed; health surveillance (audiometry)
Hand-arm vibration (HAV)	Operative using disc cutter, block splitter, or chase cutter	Vibration from hand-held cutting equipment; prolonged use during repetitive cutting tasks; exposure action value 2.5 m/s2 daily	HAV assessment with exposure time limits; bench-mounted equipment to reduce hand-held vibration exposure; task rotation; low-vibration equipment where available; health surveillance
Electrical safety	All operatives using powered cutting equipment	Electric disc cutters and masonry saws on scaffold platforms; wet conditions; cable damage; proximity to embedded services when chasing	110V supply via CTE transformer for all portable tools; RCD protection; visual cable inspection before use; cable routes protected from damage; service detection before chasing into walls

4. Competence Requirements

Brickwork and blockwork requires trade-specific qualifications and task-specific training. The RAMS must confirm that all operatives hold the required competence and that evidence has been verified before work begins. Note that the CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) card expired on 31 January 2025 and is no longer accepted on most major contractor sites.

Role	Required competence
Bricklayer / blocklayer	NVQ Level 2 in Trowel Occupations (bricklaying or blocklaying pathway); CSCS Skilled Worker (blue) card with trowel occupation listed; site-specific induction; manual handling training
Labourer / hod carrier	CSCS Labourer (green) card; NVQ Level 1 in Construction Operations or equivalent; manual handling training; working at height awareness
Abrasive wheels operative	Abrasive wheels training certificate compliant with PUWER 1998; training must cover disc selection, mounting, inspection, guarding, and safe use. This is a mandatory legal requirement for anyone operating abrasive wheel equipment — not optional.
Scaffold user	Working at height awareness training; scaffold user awareness (understanding of what constitutes a safe scaffold, when not to use a scaffold, and how to report defects); NOT the same as scaffolder competence
Supervisor	SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) as minimum; SMSTS preferred for site-level supervisors; direct trade experience in brickwork/blockwork; competent to carry out daily scaffold inspections for the bricklaying gang

CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) card expired 31 January 2025

The CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) card, which was introduced as a transitional measure for experienced workers without formal qualifications, expired on 31 January 2025. It is no longer a valid card and is not accepted on most major contractor sites. Operatives who previously held an IA card must now obtain the relevant NVQ (Level 2 in Trowel Occupations for bricklayers) and apply for a CSCS Skilled Worker (blue) card. The RAMS should verify that all operatives hold current, valid CSCS cards and that no expired IA cards are being presented.

5. Common Mistakes

No manual handling assessment for the bricklaying operation

Bricklaying involves repetitive manual handling of hundreds of units per shift. A generic manual handling risk assessment that covers the whole site is not sufficient. The RAMS must include a task-specific manual handling assessment for the bricklaying operation, addressing the weight and frequency of handling, the postures required, the working height, and the specific controls in place to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Dry cutting bricks and blocks without dust suppression

Cutting bricks and blocks with a disc cutter or angle grinder without water suppression generates significant quantities of respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Silica exposure causes silicosis, an irreversible and progressive lung disease. The workplace exposure limit is 0.1 mg/m3 (8-hour TWA). Dry cutting can exceed this limit within minutes. All cutting must be carried out with water suppression or on-tool extraction, and RPE (FFP3 minimum) must be provided where dust cannot be fully controlled at source.

Abrasive wheels used by operatives without training

PUWER 1998 requires that any person who mounts or uses an abrasive wheel must have received adequate training. This is a specific legal requirement, not a general good-practice recommendation. The training must cover disc selection, inspection, correct mounting, guarding, and safe use. An untrained operative using an abrasive wheel is a criminal offence under PUWER. The RAMS must list the abrasive wheels training certificate number and date for every operative who will use cutting equipment.

Scaffold platform overloaded with materials

Scaffold platforms have a defined safe working load. Overloading a scaffold with pallets of bricks, stacks of blocks, and tubs of mortar can exceed the platform capacity and cause collapse. The RAMS must specify the maximum material loading for each scaffold lift and ensure that materials are distributed evenly across the platform. A scaffold loading plan should be agreed with the scaffold contractor and the maximum load displayed on the scaffold.

Accepting expired CSCS IA cards as proof of competence

The CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) card expired on 31 January 2025 and is no longer valid. Operatives presenting an expired IA card do not hold a current CSCS card and should not be permitted to work on site until they have obtained the relevant NVQ and a current CSCS Skilled Worker card. The RAMS should include a card-check procedure that specifically rejects expired IA cards and directs operatives to the CSCS website for information on the NVQ route.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Is abrasive wheels training a legal requirement or just best practice?▾

It is a specific legal requirement under PUWER 1998, Regulation 9. Any person who mounts or uses an abrasive wheel must have received adequate training in accordance with the regulation. This is not a general health and safety training requirement that can be covered by a toolbox talk or induction. It must be delivered as a dedicated abrasive wheels training course covering disc selection, mounting, inspection, guarding, and safe use. A training certificate must be issued and kept on file.

What should the RAMS say about dense concrete blocks weighing over 20 kg?▾

The RAMS must address how blocks over 20 kg will be handled. HSE guidance is clear that repetitive manual handling of blocks over 20 kg by a single operative is not acceptable. The RAMS should specify one or more of the following controls: two-person lifting; mechanical handling aids (mini crane, block grab, vacuum lifter); substitution of lightweight blocks where the structural design permits. The designer has a CDM 2015 duty to consider the health impact of the materials they specify.

Has the CSCS IA card been replaced by another transitional card?▾

No. The CSCS Industry Accreditation (IA) card expired on 31 January 2025 and has not been replaced by another transitional card. CSCS has confirmed that the only route to a valid Skilled Worker (blue) card is through the relevant NVQ. Operatives who previously held an IA card must now complete an NVQ Level 2 in their trade (e.g. Trowel Occupations for bricklayers) and apply for a Skilled Worker card. There is no further extension or alternative pathway.

Does health surveillance for silica exposure apply to bricklayers?▾

Yes, if the COSHH assessment identifies that bricklayers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica above the action level. This is most likely to apply to operatives who regularly cut bricks or blocks using disc cutters or masonry saws. Health surveillance for silica exposure consists of lung function testing (spirometry) at baseline and then periodically (typically annually). The COSHH assessment must determine who is exposed, at what level, and whether health surveillance is required.

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