Bricklaying & Masonry SWMS
Brick and block laying, stone work, retaining walls, and lintels
Bricklaying & Masonry Complete Pack
8 documents — everything you need for bricklaying & masonry compliance.
Not sure your current documents are compliant? Run the free WHS compliance check →
Bricklaying and masonry work involves significant manual handling, working at heights on scaffolding, and exposure to silica dust — all requiring careful hazard management under WHS legislation.
Our bricklaying SWMS pack covers 8 work activities including brick and block laying, stonework installation, retaining wall construction, lintel placement, and working from scaffolding. Each document addresses hazards such as musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive lifting, falls from scaffolding, silica dust from cutting bricks and blocks, and struck-by injuries from falling masonry.
Key Hazards Covered
- Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive heavy lifting
- Falls from scaffolding and elevated platforms
- Silica dust from cutting bricks and blocks
- Struck by falling masonry or materials
- Cement burns and dermatitis
- Manual handling of heavy lintels
Relevant Australian Standards
- AS 3700 Masonry structures
- AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding
- AS/NZS 4994.1 Temporary edge protection
- AS/NZS 1715 Respiratory protective devices
Individual Documents — $67.96 each
Bricklaying & Masonry SWMS — Common Questions
Do bricklayers need SWMS?
Yes, when bricklaying involves working at heights of 2 metres or more (e.g. from scaffolding), it is classified as high-risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291 and a SWMS is legally required.
What hazards do bricklaying SWMS cover?
Our documents cover falls from scaffolding, musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive heavy lifting, silica dust exposure from cutting bricks and blocks, cement burns, falling objects, and manual handling of heavy lintels and masonry units.
Are retaining wall SWMS included?
Yes. The pack includes a dedicated SWMS for retaining wall construction covering excavation, formwork, reinforcement placement, and backfilling — each with specific hazard controls.
Do I need a SWMS for bricklaying and masonry work in Victoria?
Victoria is not part of the national WHS scheme, so the requirement comes from the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic) rather than the WHS Regulations. You still need a SWMS-equivalent for high risk construction work such as bricklaying from scaffolding at a fall risk of more than 2 metres, so a Victorian job needs documents that cite the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic).
Does a small residential brick or block job need a SWMS?
A SWMS is only required when the work is high risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291, not for every job by size. A small single-storey residential job worked from the ground may not trigger one, but as soon as you work at a fall risk of more than 2 metres under s.291(a) a SWMS is required before that work starts.
Why do bricklaying SWMS focus on silica dust from cutting bricks and blocks?
Cutting and grinding bricks, blocks and pavers releases respirable crystalline silica, which is a serious lung hazard, so the control measures are documented using the hierarchy of controls down to respiratory protection referenced to AS/NZS 1715. Our masonry documents are editable Word templates that set out water suppression, on-tool extraction and P2 masks, and must be reviewed and adapted to your specific site.
Last updated: March 2026