Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical requirements for selecting, using and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE) for bricklayers on Australian construction sites. It helps businesses control common bricklaying hazards such as falling objects, silica dust, manual handling strains and cuts, while demonstrating compliance with WHS obligations and industry best practice.

Bricklaying exposes workers to a unique mix of hazards: repetitive bending and lifting, sharp tools, abrasive and wet materials, airborne dusts including crystalline silica, and the constant risk of impact from falling bricks or tools. This Personal Protective Equipment for Bricklayers Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, easy-to-follow framework to ensure the right PPE is chosen, correctly fitted, consistently worn and properly maintained for these conditions. It translates WHS and Australian Standard requirements into practical site-level instructions that bricklayers and supervisors can apply every day.

The SOP helps businesses move beyond ad‑hoc PPE use and generic safety messages by defining minimum PPE standards for different bricklaying tasks, from mixing mortar and cutting bricks to scaffolding work and demolition of brickwork. It supports compliance with the hierarchy of control by positioning PPE as the final line of defence, integrated with existing risk controls such as engineering and administrative measures. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce injury rates, improve worker comfort and buy‑in, standardise expectations across subcontractors, and provide clear evidence of due diligence during audits, regulator inspections or incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent PPE requirements for bricklaying tasks across all projects and sites.
• Reduce the risk of common bricklaying injuries such as eye damage, hand lacerations, foot crush injuries and musculoskeletal strains.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation, Australian Standards and principal contractor site rules.
• Improve worker understanding and acceptance of PPE through clear, task-specific guidance and training prompts.
• Support audit readiness with documented procedures, inspection checklists and maintenance records for PPE.

Who is this for?

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

Hazards Addressed

• Impact from falling or shifting bricks, blocks and masonry units
• Crush injuries to feet from dropped bricks, pallets and tools
• Eye injuries from flying particles, mortar splashes and brick cutting fragments
• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust from cutting, chasing or chasing into masonry
• Skin irritation and chemical burns from wet cement and mortar contact
• Hand lacerations, punctures and abrasions from sharp edges, tools and reinforcement
• Noise exposure from brick saws, grinders and other powered equipment
• Musculoskeletal strain from repetitive lifting, bending and handling of bricks and blocks
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, wet or debris-covered work areas
• Thermal stress and sun exposure for outdoor bricklaying work

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Bricklayers, Supervisors, PCBUs, HSRs)
• 4.0 Overview of Bricklaying Tasks and Associated Hazards
• 5.0 PPE Requirements by Task (Laying Bricks, Mixing Mortar, Cutting Bricks, Working at Height, Demolition)
• 6.0 Selection of Appropriate PPE (Fit, Ratings, Compatibility with Other Controls)
• 7.0 PPE Pre-use Inspection and Maintenance Requirements
• 8.0 Correct Use, Fit and Limitations of PPE
• 9.0 Cleaning, Storage and Replacement of PPE
• 10.0 Training, Competency and Worker Consultation
• 11.0 Integration with Risk Assessments, SWMS and Site Rules
• 12.0 Non-compliance, Reporting and Corrective Actions
• 13.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements
• 14.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure
• 15.0 References (Legislation, Codes of Practice, Australian Standards)

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in each state and territory)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Silica at Workplaces (or relevant jurisdictional guidance on respirable crystalline silica)
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 2210: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1337: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors