MASONRY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

 Masonry involves the use of a wide selection of tools

and equipment.
 A set of basic mason’s tools, including trowels, a
chisel, hammer, and a jointer.
 MASONRY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
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Trowels
A
 trowel is used to mortar
pick uponmortar from
the
spreadboard,
the throw
mortar, and tap the the
unit unit,
down
into the bed.
A common trowel is usually triangular,


ranging in size up to about 11 inches

long and
Generally,
 from 4
short,to 8 inches
wide wide.
trowels are best
because
on the they do not put too much strain
wrist.
Trowels

are usedranging
smaller, to point and3 strike
from to 6 joints
inches
long and 2 to 3 inches wide.
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Chisel
 A chisel is used to cut masonry units into parts. A

typical chisel is 2.5 to 4.5 inches wide.

Hammer
 A mason’s hammer has a square face on one end and

a long chisel on the other.

 The hammer weighs from 1.5 to 3.5 pounds

 You use it to split and rough-break masonry units.

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Jointer
 As its name implies, you use a jointer to make various

mortar joints.
 There are several different types of jointer-rounded,

flat, or pointed depending on the shape of the mortar

joint you want.
Square
 You use the square to measure right angles and to lay

out corners.
 Squares are usually made of metal and come in various

sizes.
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Mason Level
 The mason’s level is used to establish “plumb” and

“level” lines.
 A plumb line is absolutely vertical where as, a level

line is absolutely horizontal.

 The level may be constructed of seasoned
hardwood, various metals, or a combination of both.
 Levels maybe equipped with single or double vials.

 Double-vial levels are preferred since they can be

used either horizontally or vertically.

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Plumb bob
 The plumb bob is used to check whether a surface is

vertical.
 The string is held between two fingers, with a

distance plate square against the surface to be

checked.
 Vertical wall is established by comparing the surface

of the wall with the plumb bob string.

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Tape measures
 Measuring tapes come in different lengths.

 Select a tape with both Metric and Imperial units of

measurement.
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Water tube level

 The water tube level (or pipe level)

is an ideal instrument for

transferring levels on a building site.
 It can also be used around corners

where there is no direct sight.

 The level is made of a transparent

hose filled with water.

 Scale markings can be made on

staffs to allow for level readings.

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String with pegs (mason’s line)

 The mason’s line allows for the laying of level and

straight courses of bricks, stone or concrete blocks.

 A string, stretched between two pegs, guides the mason

to follow a straight and horizontal line when laying a

course of bricks, blocks or stones.
 The string is also used to set out the position of the

house, to establish its corners and exact location of

foundations and walls.
 When excavating foundation trenches, a string line can

be used to indicate the exact location of the trench.

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Mortar pan
 Mortar pans are made of steel or plastic and used to

hold mortar, ready for use, with in the reach of the

mason.
 The mortar pan should be cleaned out, washed and

dried after each use.

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Float
 Floats are made of wood or metal.

 They are used to hold small portions of mortar, for

e.g. when pointing or filling small holes with

mortar.
 Floats are also used to level mortar or concrete

surfaces, for example slabs, wall etc..

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Club and mason’s hammers

 The club and mason’s hammers are

essential tools to cut and shape

stone, bricks and blocks.
 The club hammer is mainly used in

combination with chisels, but can

also be used for rough shaping of
rock & bricks.
 The mason’s hammer has a sharp

end and is therefore more accurate

for cutting bricks and stone.
 It needs to be sharpened from time to

time.
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Shovel and Pick axe

 A commonly used shovel has a round mouth blade

and a wooden handle with a cross-grip at its end.

 The pick axe is a construction tool with a head that

is sharply tipped on one side and has a flat and

sharpened on the other side. The handle is of
hardwood.
 Shovels and pick axes are mainly used for

excavation works. The shovel is also used for

mixing mortar and concrete.
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Hoe
 The blade should be of hardened steel and needs to

be sharpened once in a while. Handle should be of

smoothened hard wood and securely fixed to the
blade.
 For excavating soft and medium-hard soil.

 It is also used for mixing mortar.

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Earth rammer
 Earth rammers are used to

compact small areas, such

as the backfill of foundation
trenches.
 A good rammer should

weigh at least 10kg.

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Crow bar
 The crow bar is a relatively simple tool consisting

of a steel bar, which is pointed at one end.

 It can be of different lengths but commonly for

breaking up hard soil. it is about 1.6 to 2 meters

long.
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Sledge hammers
 Sledge hammers are used for heavy

work, mainly for breaking stone and

when hammering split wedges in to
rocks.
 The hammer head should have a

weight of about 4 to 4.5 kg made

from hardened carbon steel.
 Both sides are usually flat. The handle

is preferably of hardwood and about

80 to100 cm long.
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Mortar mixing machine

The mixer consists primarily of a
metal drum containing mixing blades
mounted on a chassis equipped with
wheels for towing the machine from
one job site to another.
 The mixer is powered by either an

electric motor or a gasoline engine.

 After mixing, the mortar is
discharged into a mortar box or
wheel barrow, usually by tilting the
mixer drum.
 MASON SAFETY
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Safety on site
 Work on construction sites needs to be organized in a

manner, taking adequate precaution against potential

dangers and there by ensuring that accidents &
injuries are avoided.
 Some hazards are not obvious and may only result in

injuries after sometime.

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Organize the site layout for efficient and safe work

 When commencing a new building project, it is useful to prepare

a site layout.
 Accidents may occur due to fall of material, collisions between

workers and material or due to obstruction from unfinished

building components.
 Therefore, the site plan should include adequate space for

storage of materials, tools, sand and aggregate, work areas and

where rubbish should be disposed.
 A well planned building site not only improves safety on site but

also increases work productivity.

 A badly planned and unmanaged site is one of the root causes for

many accidents.
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Protective clothing
 Workers on building sites are at risk of falling objects that

may cause serious injury.

 Wearing a helmet (also called a hard hat) is then a must

 Face masks protect from inhaling unhealthy dust.

Overtime, stone and cement dust entering the lungs may

have a severe impact on our health.
 Eyes need protection, particularly when chiseling,
grinding and cutting stone chips and splinters can severely
damage your eyes and therefore it is necessary to wear
protective goggles.
 Googles are also useful when mixing and pouring
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 Safety construction boots and gum boots protect

against sharp objects penetrating the sole and from
falling objects. Sandals or slippers should not be
allowed.
 Gloves should always be worn when working with
rough objects, cutting material or working with
cement.
 Protective clothing should be issued to all workers.
 The durable material used in work clothing protects
from scratches and minor cuts.
 Bright colors with reflective bands allow the workers
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Working at heights
Guard rails
 It is one of the most effective measures to prevent

accidental falls from heights on any building site.

 They may be used on the edges of buildings and on

scaffolding, as well as next to deep excavations.

 Excavations for pit latrines are best protected by covering

them.
 Ensure that the ground is leveled and is stable to support

the scaffold.
 Scaffolds need a strong working platform to ensure they

can be used safely, supporting both workers and materials.

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Ladders
 Should be in good condition and safely secured.

 Wobbly ladders with the wrong height and not

properly anchored can cause serious accidents.

 Ensure that ladders are placed at an angle of about 70

degrees and that the top of the ladder extends at least

one meter over the platform.
 Check that all the steps of the ladders are strong

enough and there is no damage or crack.

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Safe lifting of heavy objects

 Life time injuries are often caused on construction

sites because of wrong lifting of heavy objects.

 Do not attempt to lift by bending forward
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Safe lifting of heavy objects

 Bend your hips and knees to squat down to the load

keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs

to lift.
 Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level.

 Avoid turning or twisting your body while lifting or

holding a heavy object.

 Do not lift heavy objects of more than 30 kgs,

alone, but ask for help.

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Keep the work site tidy

 Keep the site clean and free of

debris.
 Keep access roads and walk

ways clear, allowing for easy

and safe movement and
transport of building materials.
 Pay special attention to

removing nails and other sharp

materials that can cause serious
foot injuries.
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Keep the work site tidy

 Allocate sufficient time to tidy up the work site at the end

of each day.
 Tools and materials need to be sorted and stored safely.

 Stacks of materials should not be taller than the human

height and organized in a manner that lifting materials is

possible with out causing physical injury to anyone.
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Tools and equipment

 Machines used on building sites, such as electric saws

cutters, grinders and cement mixers, should when

possible be used at designated work areas, allowing for
safe distance from other workers.
 Make sure tools and equipment are clean and well

maintained and ensure that there is safe wiring and

connections for electricity supply
 Use the appropriate protective gear when using various

tools.
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First aid
 A complete first aid box should be kept on every

construction site and available all times.

 In case of an emergency, it is important to know where the

nearest hospital or doctor can be found or called.

 Keep the phone number ready

Drinking water
 Sufficient and clean drinking water should be available on

site.
 Make sure there are extra supplies of water when works

takes place in hot weather.

 No alcoholic drinks or drugs are allowed on a site.
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Daily personal safety habits

 Everyday before starting work, make sure that
I. Safety gear is readily available, such as helmet, gloves,
goggles, dust masks and protective shoes.
II. The first aid box is on site and it is well stocked.
III. Clean drinking water is available.
IV. All the material is properly stacked and well off the
walking paths and work areas so as not to hinder free and
safe passage.
V. All tools on site are well maintained and in good working
order Before use.
VI. Scaffolds are secure and railings are fixed on the open
sides.
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 All workers should be informed about the

necessary safety measures on site.
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THANK YOU!!!

Bereket G.