Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.

Sample of reported job titles:
Block Layer, Block Mason, Blockmason, Brick and Block Mason, Brick Mason, Bricklayer, Concrete Finisher, Mason, Masonry Installer, Tender

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.
  • Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
  • Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
  • Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
  • Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.

Technology Skills

  • Accounting software:Intuit QuickBooks
  • Analytical or scientific software:Construction Management Software ProEst
  • Computer aided design CAD software:RISA Technologies RISA-3D
  • Office suite software:Microsoft Office
  • Operating system software:Microsoft Windows

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Handling and Moving Objects:Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Align masonry materials.
  • Apply mortar.
  • Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
  • Clean surfaces in preparation for work activities.
  • Cut tile, stone, or other masonry materials.

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:100% responded"Every day"
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather:97% responded"Every day"
  • Spend Time Standing:86% responded"Continually or almost continually"
  • Exposed to Hazardous Equipment:85% responded"Every day"
  • Freedom to Make Decisions:72% responded"Some freedom"

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Coordination:Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction:Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and Security:Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Production and Processing:Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 70%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
  • 13%
    Less than a High School Diploma
  • 13%
    Some College Courses

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Trunk Strength:The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Extent Flexibility:The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness:The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity:The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Interests

  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Values

  • Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
  • Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Independence:Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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