CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCK LAYERING

METHOD STATEMENT
1. SCOPE
This procedure provides a method of control for layering of concrete hollow block in
order to achieve compliance with the contract specifications and drawings.

2. PROCEDURE

2.1 All concrete hollow block will be carried out in accordance with the specification and
Project Quality Plan.

2.2 Handling and Storage of Materials:

2.2.1 Blocks shall be delivered to site palletized, off loaded as near to the point of use
as practicable on a clean hard surface free from contamination by mud or surface
water.

2.2.2 Cement shall be stored off the ground, kept dry and used in order of delivery.

2.2.3 Store metal ties and straps under cover and protect them from damage and
distortion.

2.3 Preparation of Work, Materials and Components:

2.3.1 When the materials and components are distributed to the work area, ensure that
the structure is not overloaded.

2.3.2 Plan for scaffolding material required for block work at heights. Plan for
additional manpower for lifting blocks at heights.

2.3.3 Set out anticipating the position of openings etc. in the work above to avoid
unnecessary cutting and adjustment of masonry units leading to incorrect or uneven
bonding.

2.4 Preparation of Mortar Mixes: (shall be as per specification)

 2.4.1 Mortar shall be mixed by machine except for small quantities only (not
containing plasticizer). Hand mixing (if permitted) may be done on a watertight
platform.

2.4.2 When mixed at site, batch boxes shall be used to ensure correct and consistent
mix proportions.

2.4.3 Use mortars (other than retarded mortars) within 2 hours of mixing or as
specified.

2.5 Laying of Concrete Hollow Block

2.5.1 Spread the mortar along the corner.

 Use your trowel to spread a few slabs of mortar around the corner's base of the
footing. Spread the mortar 1" deep and 8" wide in the marked area. Continue to
spread the mortar to account for the distance of about three to four blocks.
Rebar should be on-place whenever laying is on-going.

2.5.2 Set the corner block.

 It is important to lay the corner block down first. Again, use a corner block if
they're available. Setting the corner first will ensure an even dispersal of the rest
of the blocks.

2.5.3 Apply mortar to the side.

 Apply mortar to each side of the concrete block using your trowel. You'll need to
apply at least an inch to each side. Once applied, position the block in the desired
location. Try to align the corner to the string set up earlier. Don't apply mortar to
outer edge of the corner. Try not to leave any gaps when applying mortar, or it’ll
weaken the bond between the blocks.

2.5.4 Continue to lay the concrete blocks.

 Start laying blocks from the corner or edge of the wall so you can work in one
direction. Apply mortar at the end of the block before you place the block
adjacent to it.
2.5.5 Check the alignment.

 Before stacking more concrete blocks on top of your initial foundation, check if
everything is aligned. Use your mason's level by laying it on the first set of blocks.
Check both the outside and center section of the bricks. Tap the blocks for any
alignment adjustments while the mortar is still wet. Do not try to move a block
after the concrete has set. Measure the length and height every two or three
layers.

2.5.6 Apply mortar to the top.

 Place the mortar 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and use the same width as the width of the
block. You can then spread the mortar so it covers the length of about 3 blocks in
the direction that you are laying the blocks.

2.5.7 Stack the blocks.

 Lay the block down on top so the edge of the top block aligns with the halfway
mark of the bottom block. You'll recognize the pattern as a standard among the
construction sites. The top block will fit in between two bottom blocks.

2.5.8 Add reinforcement.

 If you built high walls, consider adding reinforcements. You can also use
reinforcements if the ground pressure on the site is not stable. Place the 1/4"
reinforcement rods into the openings with the ends overlapping about 2" or 3"
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE:

HEALTH EFFECTS

Cement can cause ill health as a result of skin contact, eye contact, or inhalation. Risk of
injury depends on duration and level of exposure and individual sensitivity.

Hazardous materials that exist in wet concrete and mortar include:

 alkaline compounds such as lime (calcium oxide) that are corrosive to human tissue.

 trace amount of crystalline silica which is abrasive to the skin and can damage lungs.

 trace amount of chromium that can cause allergic reactions.

CONTROLS

The following are some basic recommendations for handling and using cement safely.

1. PERSONAL PROTECTION - To protect skin from cement and cement mixtures, workers
should wear:

 alkali-resistant gloves

 coveralls with long sleeves and full-length trousers (pull sleeves down over
gloves and tuck pants inside boots and duct-tape at the top to keep mortar and
concrete out)

 waterproof boots high enough to prevent concrete from flowing in when

workers must stand in fresh concrete

 suitable respiratory protective equipment such as a P, N or R 95 respirator when

cement dust can’t be avoided

 suitable eye protection where mixing, pouring, or other activities may endanger
eyes (minimum—safety glasses with side-shields or goggles, under extremely
dusty conditions, tight-fitting unvented or indirectly vented goggles. Don’t wear
contact lenses when handling cement or cement products).
 2. WORK PRACTICES

 When laying concrete block, have different sizes on hand to avoid cutting or
hammering to make them fit.

 Work in ways that minimize the amount of cement dust released.

 Where possible, wet-cut rather than dry-cut masonry products.

 Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas.

 Make sure to work upwind from dust sources.

 Where possible, use ready-mixed concrete instead of mixing on site.

 When kneeling on fresh concrete, use a dry board or waterproof kneepads to

protect knees from water that can soak through fabric.

 Remove jewelry such as rings and watches because wet cement can collect
under them.

3. HYGIENE

 Clothing contaminated by wet cement should be quickly removed. Skin in

contact with wet cement should be washed immediately with large amounts of
cool clean water.

 Don’t wash your hands with water from buckets used for cleaning tools.

 Provide adequate hygiene facilities on site for workers to wash hands and face
at the end of a job and before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.
Facilities for cleaning boots and changing clothes should also be available.

ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL RISK

 walls previously identified on the design drawings as needing temporary supports

  any features of the wall that may affect its strength – e.g. control joints, lintels, damp
proof course, bond type or openings

 worker walkways or access paths

 plant, equipment and material movement, including delivery and storage areas

 the proposed sequence for the wall construction, including whether you will build cross
walls or returns at the same time as the wall so that they support each other, the rate of
construction and proposed stop heights the structural adequacy of the foundations

 existing or proposed excavations

 walls adjacent to another property or a public area

 likely weather conditions for the location and season – e.g. wind, extreme temperatures
and rain

 the proposed height, width and layout of walls.

In addition to your risk assessment, establish an ongoing inspection program – at the start
of each day and after adverse weather conditions, inspect the walls and any t temporary
supports for damage. If repairs are required, maintain no-go zones until it is safe to approach.
CONTROLS

 designing walls to provide additional stability during the construction phase, such as
adding sequential core filling with reinforcing or wall stiffeners.

 building walls at the same time as cross walls or returns, or nailing-off frame ties in
veneer construction, so that they support each other

 installing temporary supports

 establishing stop heights to allow mortar to gain adequate strength before further
construction – e.g. at lintel height

 stacking materials away from unsupported masonry walls – i.e. no leaning materials
against walls

 preventing inadvertent impact on walls by plant such as wheelbarrows, cranes or

pallet trolleys – e.g. using dedicated travel paths and storage areas

 monitoring weather conditions – e.g. wind (see table 1), extreme temperatures and
heavy rain – and amending work practices to suit

 stopping work if the existing top course is affected by rain to the point where the
mortar bond strength will be impaired

 preventing the collapse of excavation behind masonry retaining walls

 not backfilling behind masonry retaining walls until they are permanently supported
or (for self-supporting walls) have reached their design strength

 installing no-go zones, identified by barricades or other physical identifiers, to keep

people outside of potential collapse zones. (This is not an adequate control measure
for walls that could fall outside the construction site. Prevent such walls from falling
under all likely conditions.)