Product Overview

Summary: This Safety Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical requirements for selecting, using and maintaining protective clothing for masonry work in Australian workplaces. It helps masonry contractors and builders control exposure to silica dust, impact, cuts and weather extremes, while demonstrating strong compliance with WHS obligations on every job site.

Masonry work exposes workers to a combination of high‑risk hazards, including respirable crystalline silica, flying chips, sharp edges, wet and dry cement products, vibration and harsh weather conditions. Inadequate or inconsistent protective clothing can quickly lead to cuts, abrasions, skin irritation, heat stress and long‑term respiratory illness. This Protective Clothing for Masonry SOP provides a structured, evidence‑based approach to ensuring every worker is properly protected before they pick up a trowel, bolster or brick saw.

The procedure walks supervisors and workers through how to select appropriate protective clothing for different masonry tasks, from brick and block laying to cutting, chasing, drilling and demolition. It clarifies minimum PPE requirements, how clothing must be worn, inspected, cleaned and replaced, and how to integrate these controls into site inductions, SWMS and daily pre‑start checks. By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce the risk of preventable injuries, support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and silica dust requirements, and present a professional, safety‑first standard across all masonry operations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure masonry workers are consistently equipped with suitable protective clothing matched to specific tasks and site conditions.
• Reduce the likelihood of cuts, abrasions, skin irritation and silica‑related health issues through clearly defined clothing and PPE controls.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS duties and respirable crystalline silica control measures for masonry and construction activities.
• Standardise expectations across crews and subcontractors, simplifying inductions, toolbox talks and supervision.
• Improve worker comfort and productivity by addressing heat stress, weather exposure and ergonomics in clothing selection.

Who is this for?

• Bricklayers
• Stonemasons
• Blocklayers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Small Building Contractors
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Safety Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica from cutting, grinding and chasing masonry materials
• Skin contact with wet cement, mortar and additives causing burns or dermatitis
• Cuts, punctures and abrasions from sharp edges, hand tools and masonry units
• Impact from flying chips and fragments during chiselling, hammering and cutting
• Heat stress and dehydration when working outdoors in hot Australian conditions
• Cold, wind and rain exposure affecting dexterity and increasing strain or injury risk
• Entanglement risks from loose clothing near rotating tools and machinery
• Slips, trips and falls exacerbated by unsuitable footwear
• Noise exposure where protective headwear and clothing must integrate with hearing protection

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Masonry Work Activities Covered
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisors, Workers, HSRs)
• 4.0 Hazard Identification for Masonry Tasks
• 5.0 Minimum Protective Clothing Requirements by Task Type
• 6.0 Selection of Protective Clothing and PPE (Standards and Performance Levels)
• 7.0 Fitting, Wearing and Adjustment Requirements
• 8.0 Inspection, Cleaning, Storage and Replacement of Protective Clothing
• 9.0 Integration with Silica Dust Controls and Other Risk Controls
• 10.0 Environmental and Weather Considerations (Heat, Cold, Wet Conditions)
• 11.0 Interaction with Other PPE (Respiratory, Eye, Hearing and Hand Protection)
• 12.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talk Requirements
• 13.0 Non‑Compliance, Corrective Actions and Reporting
• 14.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation
• 15.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace (principles applicable to masonry silica control)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS/NZS 4501.1: Occupational protective clothing – General requirements
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets