Product Overview

Summary: This Hand Safety in Bricklaying Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical controls to protect bricklayers’ hands from cuts, crush injuries, repetitive strain, and exposure to hazardous materials. It supports Australian construction businesses to meet WHS obligations while maintaining productivity on site through safe, consistent bricklaying practices.

Bricklaying is a high-risk trade for hand injuries, with workers frequently exposed to sharp edges, pinch points, repetitive movements, vibrating tools and corrosive materials such as cement and mortar additives. This Hand Safety in Bricklaying SOP provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning and carrying out bricklaying tasks in a way that prioritises hand protection without slowing the job down. It covers everything from site preparation and material handling to tool selection, correct glove use, safe laying techniques and incident response.

Developed specifically for Australian construction environments, the procedure helps businesses demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation and align with relevant standards and industry best practice. By implementing this SOP, organisations can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of hand injuries, improve consistency in how tasks are performed across crews, and provide a clear training tool for new workers and apprentices. The result is a safer, more resilient workforce, fewer lost-time injuries, and a stronger safety culture on bricklaying sites.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the incidence of hand cuts, crush injuries, strains and dermatitis in bricklaying tasks.
• Ensure consistent use of suitable hand protection and safe work techniques across all bricklaying crews.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and support evidence for due diligence during audits or investigations.
• Minimise lost-time injuries, rework and project delays arising from preventable hand-related incidents.
• Support effective induction and refresher training for bricklayers and apprentices with a clear, documented procedure.

Who is this for?

• Bricklayers
• Bricklaying Apprentices
• Leading Hands
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Principal Contractors
• Small Building Business Owners
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and puncture wounds from sharp bricks, broken masonry and cutting tools
• Crush and pinch injuries to fingers and hands from handling bricks, blocks and lintels
• Impact injuries from hammers, bolsters and other striking tools
• Contact dermatitis and chemical burns from wet cement, mortar and additives
• Repetitive strain injuries from prolonged gripping, trowelling and handling loads
• Hand-arm vibration exposure from power tools such as brick saws and grinders
• Manual handling injuries to hands and wrists during lifting, carrying and positioning bricks and blocks
• Thermal stress and reduced dexterity due to working in hot or cold conditions affecting glove performance
• Infections from untreated cuts and abrasions contaminated by dust, soil or mortar

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification – Hand Risks in Bricklaying
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Control Hierarchy
• 7.0 Required PPE – Selection, Use and Maintenance of Gloves
• 8.0 Pre-Start Checks and Site Preparation
• 9.0 Safe Handling of Bricks, Blocks and Materials
• 10.0 Safe Use of Hand Tools (Trowels, Hammers, Bolsters, Jointers)
• 11.0 Safe Use of Power Tools Related to Bricklaying (Saws, Grinders, Mixers)
• 12.0 Ergonomic and Manual Handling Practices for Hand Protection
• 13.0 Managing Exposure to Cement, Mortar and Chemical Additives
• 14.0 Housekeeping, Storage and Work Area Layout for Hand Safety
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Supervision Requirements
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, First Aid and Response for Hand Injuries
• 17.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 18.0 Document Control and Record Keeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state/territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use