Job Description

Collectively called “the trowel trades”, this category includes cement masons, platerers, and bricklayers. These workers use bricks, blocks and stones to construct walls, structural supports and decorative surfaces. Cement masons prepare and repair concrete, including pouring and finishing slabs, steps, wall tops, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and paving. They work with a variety of materials including terrazzo, magnesite, epoxy, polymer, and other plastic materials for topping repair and injection. Plasterers finish interior walls and ceilings of residential and commercial buildings, apply plaster on masonry, metal, and wire lath or gypsum. They also apply cement on masonry, metal, and wire lath (stucco). Most of these finishes are applied by hand. Bricklayers construct walls, fireplaces, chimneys, industrial furnaces, kilns, and other structures using brick, cement, cinder blocks, stone, and marble.