Bricklayers and Stonemasons

Most bricklayers and stonemasons have a 40-hour workweek. They are usually paid time and a half for overtime and double time for work on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Most of the work is done outdoors, where conditions may be dusty, hot, cold, or damp. Often workers must stand on scaffolds that are high off the ground. They may need to bend or stoop constantly to pick up materials. They may be on their feet most of the working day, or they may kneel for long periods.

Some of the hazards involved with this work include falling off a scaffold, being hit by falling material, and getting injuries common to lifting and handling heavy material. Whereas poor weather conditions used to affect work schedules and job site conditions, protective sheeting is now used to enclose work areas. The use of this sheeting makes it possible to work through most inclement weather.

Apprentices and experienced workers must furnish their own hand tools and measuring devices. Contractors supply the materials for making mortar, scaffolding, lifts, ladders, and other large equipment used in the construction process.

Well-qualified bricklayers and stonemasons can often find work at wages higher than those of most other construction workers. But because the work is seasonal, bricklayers and stonemasons must plan carefully to make it through any periods of unemployment.