Masonry Hand Tools
Bricklayers and block masons use simple hand tools all day: trowels, hammers, chisels, jointers and levels. The tools are basic, but flying chips, mushroomed chisel heads, wet mortar and repetitive motion cause a steady stream of injuries. Good habits keep a mason working for a whole career.
- Masons
- Bricklayers
- Tile & Stone Setters
- Laborers
Common masonry hand tools
- Trowels (brick, pointing, margin) for spreading and shaping mortar.
- Brick hammers with a square face and chisel blade for cutting and shaping brick.
- Cold chisels, brick sets and bolsters for cutting block, brick and stone. See Chisels & Punches.
- Jointers and rakes for finishing mortar joints.
- Levels, plumb bobs, mason's line, line blocks and story poles for alignment. See Levels, Squares & Chalk Lines.
- Mortar hoes, hawks, buckets and mixing boards for handling mortar.
- Mallets and rubber hammers for setting pavers and tile.
Main hazards
- Flying chips from striking brick, block and stone. They can blind. Always wear safety glasses or goggles. See Eye & Face Protection.
- Mushroomed chisel heads: repeated hammering flares the striking end of a chisel, and pieces can break off. Dress or replace them.
- Cement and lime burns: wet mortar is alkaline and burns skin, especially when trapped in gloves or boots. See Corrosives.
- Silica dust from cutting and chipping masonry. See Silica.
- Cuts and pinches from sharp brick edges and trowel points.
- Repetitive strain and back injuries from lifting block, bending and scraping. See Musculoskeletal Disorders.
- Falls from scaffolds and ladders. See Masonry.
Safe use
- Wear eye protection, gloves that fit, long sleeves and sturdy boots. Use hearing protection when chiseling a lot.
- Hold chisels with a hand guard or tool holder and strike squarely. Keep the cutting edge sharp and the striking head free of mushrooming. Use a hammer with a good handle and face.
- Cut brick on a stable surface and strike away from your body and others. Keep other workers clear of the chip zone.
- Wash off wet mortar from skin quickly, and keep it from soaking into clothes. Use waterproof gloves for long contact.
- Use wet cutting or dust control and a fitted respirator when dust can't be controlled. See Dust Control Methods.
- Carry block close to your body, vary tasks and use scaffolds and mortar stands at a comfortable height.
- Clean trowels and tools after use and store them dry to prevent rust and handle damage.
Masonry hand tool checklist
- I wear safety glasses and keep others out of the chip zone
- Chisel heads aren't mushroomed and cutting edges are sharp
- I wash wet mortar off skin and use waterproof gloves
- Dust is controlled with wet methods or a respirator
- I vary tasks, lift with my legs and keep tools clean and dry
Standards & references
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