Brickwork and blockwork: risk assessment and method statement
Brick and block walls, including cavity walls with ties, insulation and DPCs, are built at the site from the ground or scaffold to the drawings, with materials loaded out close to the work face.
Risk assessment
Risk = severity × likelihood, each from 1 to 5. 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 medium, 8 to 12 high and 15 to 25 very high.
| Hazard | Who might be harmed and how | Risk | Controls | With controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls from scaffold or loading bays | Bricklayers or labourers may fall from scaffold or loading bays while loading or building, causing injury. | 5 × 3 = 15 Very high |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Overloading or unstable scaffold | Operatives and others may be injured if the scaffold is overloaded with bricks and blocks, causing collapse. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Collapse of new walls in wind | Operatives and others near fresh masonry may be struck if unsupported walls blow over, causing serious injury. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Handling heavy blocks | Operatives laying heavy blocks by hand may suffer back injury, especially with blocks over 20kg. | 4 × 4 = 16 Very high |
| 4 × 2 = 8 High |
| Silica dust from cutting bricks and blocks | Operatives cutting masonry with disc cutters may inhale silica dust, causing lung disease. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Falling bricks, mortar and tools | Persons below scaffold may be struck by falling materials or tools, causing head injury. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Contact with disc cutter | Operatives may suffer cuts or eye injury when using disc cutters on masonry, causing serious injury. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Cement burns and dermatitis from mortar | Operatives handling mortar may suffer cement burns or dermatitis from skin contact. | 3 × 4 = 12 High |
| 3 × 2 = 6 Medium |
| Mixer and silo operation | Operatives using a mixer or mortar silo may be caught by moving parts, causing hand or arm injury. | 4 × 2 = 8 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
Weather: Stop in high winds, heavy rain or frost; cover new work and do not lay onto frozen materials.
Method statement
Supervision and briefing
Operations will be controlled by a competent supervisor. Brickwork and blockwork will be carried out by experienced, competent bricklayers.
All operatives involved will be briefed on:
- The drawings, bond, DPCs, ties and cavity insulation
- Safe use of the scaffold and loading bays
- Block weights and manual handling procedures
- Dust control when cutting
- Weather-related stop/start criteria
- Emergency procedures
PPE
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Hi-visibility clothing
- Hard hats
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection when cutting
- RPE (FFP3) when cutting
Plant and equipment
- Mortar mixer or silo
- Bricklaying hand tools, lines and profiles
- Disc cutter with water suppression or extraction
- Block splitter
- Wall ties, DPC and cavity insulation
- Hop ups or trestles for low-level work
- Protective covers for new work
- First aid kit
Things to watch for
Masonry at the site will be built to the drawings and specification, with the scaffold inspected before use.
Particular care must be taken to avoid:
• Overloading the scaffold
• Building unsupported walls higher than is safe in wind
• Cutting masonry without dust control
• Falling materials onto persons below
Lift heights, loading out and wall bracing will be agreed with the supervisor before work starts.
Working conditions
The work area and scaffold base are barriered off. Materials are stored on firm, level ground near the work face. Platforms are kept clear of waste, and new work is covered at the end of each day.
Access
Access to scaffold is via independently erected, tied scaffold with a safe means of access (ladder/stair tower). Bricks and blocks will be loaded out by telehandler to loading bays or by hand; materials will not be thrown from height. No carrying tools up ladders to maintain 3 points of contact.
Where the work is
Walls to be built at the site as shown on the drawings; mixing and material storage at the agreed positions.
Sequence of work
- Brief operatives on the drawings and controls; check the scaffold tag and materials.
- Check setting-out lines, levels and profiles.
- Load out bricks, blocks and mortar evenly to the work face.
- Lay DPC and build the first courses to line and level.
- Build walls up with ties, cavity insulation and cavity trays as specified.
- Cut units using splitters or suppressed disc cutters as required.
- Form openings and fit lintels to the drawings.
- Brace freestanding walls and cover new work at the end of each day.
- Clean down, point and tool joints as specified.
- Clear waste from platforms and the ground; secure the area.
Emergencies
Stop work immediately, make the area safe, move people out of danger, report it to the site manager or supervisor, and call 999 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
References
Work at Height Regulations 2005; Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; COSHH 2002; PUWER 1998; HSE CIS37 heavy building blocks; HSE CIS36.