Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out the safe, compliant use of scaffolding for masonry work on Australian construction sites. It provides clear, practical steps for planning, erecting, using, altering and dismantling scaffolds so bricklayers and associated trades can work at height efficiently while controlling fall, collapse and falling object risks.

Scaffolding for masonry work presents a unique risk profile: heavy loads from bricks and blocks, constantly changing wall heights, and frequent movement of materials and people at the edge of platforms. This SOP provides a structured, step-by-step approach to managing these risks, from pre-start planning and design review through to daily inspections, safe loading, access arrangements and final dismantling. It focuses specifically on the realities of bricklaying and blocklaying operations, including progressive platform raises, toeboards and brick guards, material hoisting, and the interaction between scaffolders, bricklayers and other trades.

Developed for Australian construction environments, the procedure helps businesses demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation while improving on-site productivity. It clarifies who is responsible for what, how to verify that scaffolds are fit for masonry use, and how to respond when conditions change—such as high winds, structural alterations, or the need to extend or modify the scaffold. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood of falls from height, scaffold collapse, and falling objects, while also cutting downtime caused by non-compliant setups, rectification notices or stop-work orders.

The document is designed to integrate with your existing WHS management system, pre-starts and SWMS. It supports consistent training and induction of new workers, provides a defensible framework for audits and regulator inspections, and gives supervisors a practical checklist to keep masonry scaffolds safe, stable and efficient throughout the life of the job.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and scaffolding requirements specific to masonry work.
• Reduce the risk of falls from height, scaffold collapse and falling objects impacting workers or the public.
• Standardise scaffold planning, erection, inspection and use across all masonry projects and crews.
• Minimise costly rework, project delays and regulatory enforcement arising from non-compliant scaffolds.
• Support clear communication and coordination between scaffolders, bricklayers, site supervisors and other trades.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Bricklayers
• Blocklayers
• Scaffolding Supervisors
• Licensed Scaffolders
• WHS Managers
• Principal Contractors
• Safety Advisors
• Masonry Subcontractor Business Owners

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height while working on or accessing masonry scaffolds
• Scaffold collapse or structural failure due to overloading or incorrect assembly
• Falling bricks, blocks, tools or debris striking workers or members of the public
• Trips and slips on cluttered, uneven or wet scaffold platforms
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and shifting masonry materials on scaffolds
• Electrocution risks when scaffolds are erected near overhead powerlines or electrical installations
• Struck-by incidents involving mobile plant operating adjacent to scaffolds
• Adverse weather impacts such as high winds compromising scaffold stability

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope – Scaffolding for Masonry Work
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (masonry scaffold, working platform, duty rating, competent person)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, principal contractor, scaffold designer, licensed scaffolder, site supervisor, masonry workers)
• 4.0 Planning and Design Requirements (load calculations, duty classifications, tie patterns, access, clearances to powerlines)
• 5.0 Pre-Start Risk Assessment and Consultation (SWMS integration, site-specific hazards, coordination with other trades)
• 6.0 Required Licences, Competency and Training (high risk work licences, inductions, verification of competency)
• 7.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment (fall protection, head protection, tool lanyards, edge protection)
• 8.0 Scaffold Erection for Masonry Work (foundations, base plates, standards, ledgers, transoms, bracing, ties, access bays)
• 9.0 Platform Configuration and Load Management (plank installation, duty rating, brick and block stacking limits, material distribution)
• 10.0 Edge Protection and Falling Object Controls (guardrails, midrails, toeboards, brick guards, mesh, exclusion zones)
• 11.0 Access and Egress (ladders, stair towers, entry control, segregation from mobile plant)
• 12.0 Progressive Raises and Modifications for Masonry (raising platforms as walls increase, temporary removal of components, authorised alterations only)
• 13.0 Inspection, Tagging and Handover (pre-use inspections, formal inspections, scaffold tags, defect reporting and rectification)
• 14.0 Safe Use of Masonry Scaffolds (housekeeping, material handling, prohibition on unauthorised changes, weather considerations)
• 15.0 Interaction with Other Trades and Plant (cranes, telehandlers, brick elevators, nearby excavation or demolition)
• 16.0 Environmental and Weather Considerations (wind, rain, ground softening, storm preparation)
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures (falls from height, scaffold instability, structural failure, rescue coordination)
• 18.0 Incident Reporting and Corrective Actions (near misses, regulator notifications, review of controls)
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and Audit Requirements (inspection records, licences, training, design and engineering documentation)
• 20.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly provisions relating to construction work, falls and scaffolding)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding series
• AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for scaffolding
• AS/NZS 1577: Scaffold planks
• Safe Work NSW / WorkSafe Victoria / relevant state regulator guidance on scaffolds and masonry work platforms