Job description Bricklayer in the Lower Mainland–Southwest Region

Find out what work is like for a bricklayer in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Bricklayers (NOC 72320).

Bricklayers

Description

Bricklayers lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone and other similar materials to construct or repair walls, arches, chimneys, fireplaces and other structures in accordance with blueprints and specifications. They are employed by construction companies and bricklaying contractors or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Bricklayers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Bricklayers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required
  • Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools
  • Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and similar materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures in residential, industrial and commercial construction
  • Lay bricks or other masonry units to build residential or commercial chimneys and fireplaces
  • Lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys
  • Lay or install firebricks to line industrial chimneys and smokestacks
  • Line or reline furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, refractory concretes, plastic refractories and other materials
  • Lay bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing to walls or other surfaces
  • Construct and install prefabricated masonry units
  • Lay bricks or other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations
  • May restore, clean or paint existing masonry structures.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Standing
  • Keeping or regaining balance

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Bricklayers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Self-employed
  • Construction companies
  • Bricklaying contractors

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Standard safety equipment
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • High places
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Sound and noise
  • Skin injury

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 72320), and a list of similar occupations:

  • apprentice bricklayer
  • bricklayer
  • brickmason
  • refractory bricklayer
  • stonecutter
  • stonemason

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Bricklayers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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