Example Risk Assessment for a

Bricklaying Company
Setting the Scene
The manager of a successful bricklaying contractor, with help from worker representatives, carried out a general risk assessment
that covered their typical work. This assessment was used when tendering for contracts to demonstrate the firm’s approach to
health and safety. In the tender documents the manager was clear about what was needed from the principal contractor to do the
job safely.
The firm won a bricklaying contract for a development of three-storey flats. Work was due to start on 1 st July 2010. The manager
checked the construction phase plan and met the principal contractor’s site manager on site. This extra information was used to
amend the general assessment so that it was specific to the work and conditions.

How was the risk assessment done?

The manager followed the guidance in Five Steps to Risk Assessment (www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk/riskassessment)

1. To identify the hazards, the manager:

 Read the construction web pages on www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk and HSE’s publication HSG150 Health and Safety in
Construction (available from HSE Books, (www.hsebooks.com) or download free at
www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk/construction_home_page
 Checked the manufacturers’ instructions for tools / machinery and the data sheet for mortar;
 Thought about the work seen on sites; and
 Talked to employees to help identify the significant hazards and particular work practices.

2. The manager then wrote down who could be harmed by the hazards and how.

3. For each hazard identified, the manager recorded what controls, if any, were in place to manage these hazards. These controls
were then compared to the good practice guide laid out in the manufacturers’ instructions or the data sheets, Health and Safety in
Construction, essentials of health and safety at work publications and the Health and Safety Works NI’s construction web pages.
Where existing controls did not meet good practice the manager wrote down what further actions were needed to manage the risk.

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4. Putting the findings of the risk assessment into practice, the manager decided and
Example Risk Assessment for a
recorded who was responsible for implementing the further actions and when they should
be done. When each action was completed it was ticked off and the date was recorded.
Bricklaying Company
5. The manager decided that for each new site it was important to make sure the assessment was suitable and amend it depending
on the particular work and conditions. A review and update of the general risk assessment would be made each year and staff
would learn from the work on different sites.

How was the site-specific risk assessment done?

1. To turn the general risk assessment into a site-specific assessment, the manager checked the following had been identified:
 The right hazards;
 Who might be harmed and how;
 Controls that would need to be taken on this particular site, and
 Who would be responsible for putting the controls into practice and when.

2. The manager did this by:

 Checking the construction phase plan for the site.
 Looking at the general layout of the site as well as what materials were to be used (in particular what weight of blocks and
lintels), what equipment and plant would be needed, and what general rules would need to be followed;
 Visiting the site; and
 Discussing the work and the site conditions and general rules with the principal contractor’s site manager.

3. The manager made the supervisor responsible for briefing the bricklayers about the site rules on their first day.

Important Reminder
This example risk assessment shows what kind of approach a small business might take. Use it as a rough guide to think
through some of the hazards in your business and the steps you need to take to control the risks.
Please note that this is not a generic risk assessment that you can just put your company name on and adopt wholesale
without any thought. This would not satisfy the law – and would not be effective in protecting people.
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 Every business is different – you need to think through the hazards and controls required
Example Risk
in your business Assessment for
for yourself.

Bricklaying Company
Company name: Sure Foundations Ltd Date assessment was carried out: 01/07/10

Assessment carried out by: L.G. Builder Date of next review: 01/07/11

When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Falling from Serious injury or even fatal  Agree scaffolding requirements at  Scaffold requirements LGB 20/07/10 18/07/10
Height injury could occur if a contract stage, including appropriate agreed, including
worker falls. load rating and provision of loading loading bays and
bays. appropriate load rating.
 Bricklayer’s supervisor to check with the
site manager that the correct scaffold is
provided and inspected.  Supervisor to speak LGB From: ----
 Workers instructed not to interfere with regularly to site manager 01/07/10
or misuse scaffold. Supervisor to keep to arrange scaffold
an eye out for problems. alterations and ensure
 Ladders in good condition, adequately that weekly inspections
secured (lashed) and placed on firm have been carried out.
surface.
 Band stands with handrails to be used
for work on internal walls.
 Workers trained to put up bandstands.

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?
 Agree scaffolding requirements at
Collapse of All operatives on scaffold contract stage, including appropriate  Supervisor to keep a LGB From: ----
Scaffold may incur crush injuries, or load rating and provision of loading check to make sure that 01/07/10
worse, if the scaffold bays. scaffold is not
collapses on top of them.  Bricklayer’s supervisor to check with the overloaded with
site manager that the correct scaffold is materials.
provided and inspected.

Falling Serious head and other  Brick guards kept in position on scaffold  Supervisor to monitor LGB From: ----
objects injuries to workers, others lifts. use of safety hats and 01/07/10
hitting head on site and members of the  Waste materials removed from protective footwear.
or body, public. scaffolding and placed in skip.
including feet  Safety helmets and protective footwear
(with steel toecaps and mid-soles)
supplied and worn at all times.

Manual All workers could suffer from
Handling back injury and long-term
pain if regularly carrying
heavy or awkward objects.
 Bricks, mortar etc to be transported and  Heaviest blocks are LGB From: ----
lifted to scaffold using telehandler 15kg, no special 01/07/10
provided by principal contractor. arrangements
 Provision of lifting bay agreed with necessary.
principal contractor.
 Bricks / blocks to be covered with  Concrete lintels are well LGB From: ----
tarpaulin when stored on site to prevent over 20kg, to be 01/07/10
taking up water. positioned using
 Spot boards to be raised with blocks to telehandler (all are
easy working height. accessible).

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Manual  Trolley to be used for moving loads of  All workers to be LGB From: ----
Handling bricks around the scaffold lift. instructed not to carry 01/07/10
(continued)  Check at tender stage for any blocks or materials up by hand.
lintels over 20kg and make
arrangements.

Workers Workers could suffer serious  Manager to agree safe route to work  Safe route agreed with LGB 25/07/10 23/07/10
struck or or even fatal injuries from area with principal contractor based principal contractor.
crushed by vehicles and machines on upon the construction phase health and
moving site, particularly when safety plan.
vehicles on reversing.  Induction to each site to be carried out  Supervisor to liaise with LGB From: ----
site for all workers on first day. site manager to ensure 01/07/10
safe route stays clear.

 Instruct staff that they LGB From: ----

must never drive 01/07/10
vehicles and plant on
this site.

 High-visibility vests to be LGB From: ----

provided. 01/07/10

 Supervisor to check LGB From: ----

vests are worn on all 01/07/10
sites where the principal
contractor requires
them.

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Slips and All workers may suffer
Trips sprains or fractures if they
trip over waste including
brick bands.
 Good housekeeping maintained at all  Temporary storage LGB 21/07/10 14/07/10
times. locations to be agreed
 Waste including brick bands and pallet with the site manager.
debris disposed of in skip.
 Safety footwear provided to all workers.
 Safe route to workplace agreed with  Supervisor to ensure LGB From ----
principal contractor based on that workers wear safety 01/07/10
construction phase health and safety footwear when in site.
plan.

Stepping on All workers could suffer foot
nails and injuries and pallet debris.
sharp objects Slips at height could result
in a serious fall.
 Safety boots with steel toecaps and mid-  Explain the need to wear LGB 12/07/10 10/07/10
soles provided to all workers safety boots and
 Waste disposed of in skips. dispose of waste in
 Safety footwear provided to all workers. skips. Repeat annually.
 Safe route to workplace agreed with
principal contractor based on
construction phase health and safety  Supervisor to check that LGB From: ----
plan. safety boots are always 01/07/10
worn and waste
disposed of properly.

Hazard to Bricklayers could suffer eye  Safety goggles (EN 166 B standard)  Use of goggles to be LGB From: ----
eyes, cutting injury through flying brick worn when breaking bricks. monitored by the 01/07/10
bricks fragments. supervisor.

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Hazardous Direct skin contact with the  Risk of dermatitis or cement burns and  Training on how to treat LGB 25/07/10 19/07/10
substances, mortar could cause precautions explained to all workers. exposure to be given to
mortar bricklayer contact dermatitis  Use cement or cement containing all operatives.
and burns. products within the use-by date.
 Direct skin contact to be avoided, CE
marked PVC gloves used when handling  Supervisor to be made LGB From: ----
mortar. aware of anyone with 01/07/10
 Good washing facilities on site, with hot early signs of dermatitis.
and cold water, soap and basins large
enough to wash forearms.
 Principal contractor’s first aid includes
emergency eyewash.

Workers could be crushed

Operating or cut if the mixer topples or  Cement mixer located on firm level  Supervisor to check LGB From: ----
Cement Mixer they get caught in moving ground. mixer daily for obvious 01/07/10
parts.  Mixer is fully guarded and guards in damage.
place during operation.
 Mixer is 110 volt and PAT tested every 3
months.

Dust from Dust exposure could cause  Angle grinders replaced with block  No further action ---- ----- ----
cutting bricks silicosis. splitter, removing the risk of significant necessary.
dust exposure.
 The use of a grinder for chasing etc is
not needed on the job.

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Noise from Workers using grinders or  Angle grinders replaced with block  Supervisor to monitor LGB From: ----
use of working near people who splitter, removing high noise levels from and talk to site manager 01/07/10
equipment, may suffer hearing loss. our work. if noisy work does start
eg. angle  Construction phase plan show other close by.
grinder trades using grinders etc, should not be
working close enough to cause
problems.

Vibration Exposure to vibration can  Angle grinders replaced with block  No further action ---- ---- ----
from use of lead to the development of splitter. No significant vibration left. necessary.
equipment “vibration white finger”
such as angle (VWF)
grinder

Fire / All operatives in the vicinity
Explosion could suffer from smoke
inhalation or burns.
 Suitable fire extinguisher kept in site  Supervisor to brief all LGB 01/07/10 01/07/10
office and welfare block. workers on first day on
 Good housekeeping monitored by emergency
supervisor. arrangements agreed
with principal contractor.

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 When is
Who needs
What are the Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? What further action do the action
to carry out Done
hazards? how? you need to take? needed
the action?
by?

Health issues All operatives.  Principal contractor will have facilities on  Supervisor to brief LGB 01/07/10 01/07/10
relating to site by the time bricklaying starts, workers on facilities and
poor welfare including: keeping them clean.
facilities / - flushing toilet;
first aid - hot and cold running water, soap,
arrangements towels and full-size washbasins;
- heated canteen with kettle etc;
- first aid equipment;
- principal contractor will arrange
clearing and ensure the necessary
electrical and heating safety checks
are made, and
- Trained first aider and appointed
person on site.

Assessment Review Date: 01/07/11

Example Risk Assessment for a Bricklaying Company published by HSWNI, 08/10.

Health and Safety Executive gratefully acknowledged as source.

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