Plasterers & Stucco Applicators

Plasterers and stucco crews mix cement, lime and sand, then trowel or spray it onto walls and ceilings, often from scaffolds. The material is alkaline and burns skin and eyes, the dry mix contains silica dust, and the work involves heavy bags, mixers, pumps and long hours on planks.

• Plasterers
• Stucco Crews
• Lathers
• Laborers

Main hazards

• Chemical burns: wet cement, lime and plaster are caustic. Contact with skin, especially trapped in boots, gloves or kneeling in wet material, causes severe burns that may not hurt until hours later. See Corrosives and Skin Disease & Dermatitis.
• Eye injuries from splashes, overhead spraying and dust. Lime and cement in the eye can cause permanent damage. See Eye Injuries.
• Silica dust when emptying bags, mixing dry materials and cutting or sanding cured stucco. See Silica.
• Falls from scaffolds, ladders, planks and stilts, and fall-through openings. See Scaffold Basics.
• Heavy lifting: 80 to 94 pound bags of cement and sand and buckets of wet material. See Lifting & Ergonomics.
• Mixers, pumps and sprayers: rotating paddles, pressurized hoses and electrical equipment. See Concrete Pump Operators.
• Electrical hazards near overhead lines and with wet cords. See Overhead Power Lines.
• Repetitive strain: troweling and hawk work overhead. See Overhead Work & Shoulder Strain.
• Heat and sun on exterior walls. See Heat Illness.

Skin and eye protection

• Wear waterproof, alkali-resistant gloves (such as nitrile or rubber), long sleeves and long pants. Seal cuffs with tape or gauntlets.
• Wear waterproof boots high enough to keep wet material out, with pant legs outside the boots. Don't kneel in wet mix without waterproof knee pads. See Knee Protection.
• Wear safety goggles or a face shield for mixing, spraying and overhead work. See Eye & Face Protection.
• Wash off wet cement or lime right away with plenty of clean water, and remove soaked clothes and boots. Don't wait for pain.
• Eye splash: flush with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help. See Eyewash & Showers.
• Use barrier cream only as an addition, not a substitute for gloves. Don't use solvents to clean skin.

Dust control

• Open and empty bags slowly and low, and mix with water in a mixer or tub rather than dry-dumping. Use pre-blended or low-dust products where possible.
• Use wet cutting or shrouded tools with HEPA vacuums when scoring, cutting or sanding cured stucco and lath. See Dust Control Methods and Concrete Cutting.
• Wear a fit-tested respirator as required where controls don't keep dust low enough, following OSHA's silica rule and your employer's program. See Respiratory Protection.
• Don't dry sweep or blow with compressed air; vacuum or wet-clean.

Scaffolds, stilts and ladders

• Work from properly erected scaffolds with full planking, guardrails and safe access, inspected by a competent person. Don't work from stacked buckets or damaged planks. See Scaffold Erectors and Scaffold Planks & Decking.
• Stilts (when used by drywall and plaster finishers) are allowed only under the employer's rules; keep floors clear, don't use them on stairs or near openings, and wear them only if trained. See Drywall.
• Keep hoses, cords and hawk boards from creating trip hazards on planks.
• Use swing stage or hoists only under proper fall protection and training. See Fall Protection Basics.

Mixers, pumps and sprayers

• Keep guards on mixers; don't reach into a running drum or paddle. Lock out before cleaning. See Industrial Mixers.
• Use GFCI protection for tools on site and keep cords out of water and mud. See GFCI Protection.
• Depressurize hoses before disconnecting, and never point a sprayer at a person. Clean up spills fast to prevent slips.

Plastering checklist

• I wear alkali-resistant gloves, waterproof boots and goggles, with cuffs sealed
• I wash off wet cement or lime right away
• I mix and cut with wet methods or HEPA vacuums and a fit-tested respirator if needed
• My scaffold is complete and inspected, with guardrails
• I lift bags safely and lock out mixers before cleaning

Last updated: October 5, 2026