Occupational Health and Safety Tips

for Masonry Workers

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Tom Hallissey May 18, 2017No Comments

If you work in masonry, you know you have to be exacting every day. But, as you build
structures with your hands, it’s equally important to put some resources into improving
occupational health and safety.

Eye Protection
 One of your biggest occupational health and safety priorities should be to protect your
eyes. After all, you only get one pair.

o Always wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield

o Opt for shatterproof lenses
o Glasses must fit snugly and comfortably
o Make sure you have a full field of vision
o Wear eye protection over your regular glasses
o Avoid using contact lenses

Ear Protection
Hearing protection is another concern every contractor must address. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration(OSHA) standards suggest workers should be exposed to no
more than approximately 90 decibels of noise for eight hours a day. If noise exceeds this
level, workers should wear ear plugs or ear muffs.

Ear plugs are good protection from sustained noise below 95 decibels; ear muffs should
be worn when you are exposed to louder consistent sounds.

How to Dress to Improve Occupational Health

and Safety
 At work, your skin is often exposed to things like cement, dust, sand, wind and extreme
temperatures. As a result, you need to take precautions to prevent injury, discomfort or
even permanent disability.

Clothing
To remain safe in masonry, you can’t just wear any old thing to work. You must consider
potential dangers before hitting the job site.

o Shirts should be light-weight, light-colored and loose

o Socks should be medium-weight and white
o Belts or suspenders will prevent your pant legs from sagging and catching on objects

It’s important to regularly clean your work clothes when they are exposed to chemicals
that may damage your skin.

Safety Accessories
If you work in a situation where chemicals may be splashing around, add these safety
accessories to your attire:

o Gloves
o Aprons
o Face shields
o Shoe coverings
 Footwear
As a mason, you need footwear that provides both comfort and protection.

Good work shoes have these three features:

o Hard soles to protect against puncture wounds

o Reinforced toes to protect your feet from fallen objects
o High-tops to provide ankle support

Hard Hats
The number one hard hat recommendation is that you should always wear one that is
OSHA approved.

Other things to keep in mind when selecting a hard hat:

o Bright colors are best

o A hard hat should fit snugly
o No part of the outer shell should be touching your head
o Remember to inspect the outer shell for cracks or abrasions
o Don’t forget to periodically clean your hard hat

If you work in masonry, occupational health and safety should always be a priority. It has
many big benefits, including reducing workers’ sick time and decreasing overall
insurance costs.