Introduction of Cement Mason

When you see a skyscraper, have you ever pondered, “Who constructed this?”? Are you an architect? Are you an engineer? A function Object() { [native code] }? Yes, indeed! All of these professions specialize in different aspects of building design and construction. Yet, building projects require a broad workforce to take them from plan to completion, including the brave people who work behind the scenes, the Cement Masons. A Cement Mason is a skilled craftsperson who enjoys working with their hands and constructing constructions out of concrete and other cement-based materials. Their craft is highly valued throughout the world.

Similar Job Titles

• Masonry Worker
• Concrete Finisher
• Terrazzo Worker
• Cement Patcher
• Concrete Floor Installer
• Concrete Mason
• Concrete Smoother
• Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
• Plasterer

Typical Job Responsibilities

What do Cement Masons do?

A Cement Mason would typically need to:

• Contribute to various aspects of construction projects, such as buildings, bridges, and roadworks, by pouring, measuring, and working with cement and other products, including mortar and grout
• Measure, layout, smooth, and finish diverse surfaces of poured concrete, such as driveways, floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs.
• Build masonry walls and structures and align them with the help of levels and plumbs.
• Safely and efficiently use masonry tools, such as those with specially designed blades, to ensure that a surface or material is smoothly set and patterned as planned.
• Collaborate with the construction site manager or Foreperson to obtain a precise and current plan of where cement needs to be applied or poured.
• Estimate material requirements and ensure accurate marking out of areas by understanding blueprints and drawings
• Resize materials by breaking or cutting them as per the requirements
• Follow plans to inspect or lay, set, and align the foundations, patterns, or forms that keep the concrete in place and ensure that they are properly constructed and meet the pitch and depth requirements
• Ensure that any wood or plastic molds or frames are properly placed, using wooden stakes, twine, and metal ties to finalize and firm up the form and area 
• Use reinforcing rebar or mesh wires to fortify the concrete
• Mix cement, sand, and water in the right proportions to produce concrete, grout, or slurry with the use of hoes, trowels, and concrete mixers
• Instruct truck drivers to pour the concrete if using pre-mixed concrete from a wet mixing batch plant; help in the process of pouring foundations
• Spread the concrete, leveling, smoothing, cleaning, and polishing it with hand or power tools, such as trowels, floats, screeds, compactors, vibrators, groovers, edgers, jointers, and straight edges
• Use caulking materials to fill out the expansion joints and edges
• Apply blended mortar or grout on slabs or foundations, cleaning up any excess using trowels and other hand tools
• Mark and reinforce newly or recently cemented areas to ensure that they dry and set properly
• Harden and seal poured concrete using chemicals; monitor the hardening process to arrive at a smooth, uniform, and durable finish, factoring in the impact of wind and temperature on curing 
• Install rain-screen water systems; apply sealants or waterproofing to protect concrete

Standard Work Environment

Cement Masons work mostly outside and occasionally indoors in muddy, dusty, or filthy conditions. When working outside, you may encounter inclement weather, even if the nature of your employment does not permit you to do so. Lifting big forms, tools, equipment, and materials involves significant physical effort. Your job also needs you to stand, kneel, or bend for extended periods.

Cement Masons typically use hard hats, safety glasses, kneepads, water-repellent boots, high-visibility vests, harnesses, respirators to filter out cement dust, and other protective gear to avoid accidents and injuries.

As a Cement Mason, you may frequently travel for work to construction sites. You may work by yourself or as part of a team.

Work Schedule

Most Cement Masons work full-time, and many work more than 40 hours weekly, meeting strict deadlines and coordinating with other construction project functions. While you may be required to work shifts, there may not be a set schedule, resulting in significant overtime. Cement Masons typically work longer hours throughout the summer, beginning their job early in the morning.

Employers

Seeking a new job may appear difficult. Cement Masons can improve their job hunt by soliciting referrals from their network, contacting firms directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Cement Masons are generally employed by:

• Foundation, Structure, & Building Exterior Contractors
• Concrete Product Manufacturers
• Other Specialty Trade Contractors
• Highway, Street & Bridge Construction Firms
• Nonresidential Building Construction Firms
• Residential Building Construction Firms
• Remediation & Other Waste Management Services
• Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution
• Corporate Management
• Local Governments

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional societies and organizations, such as the Confederation of International Contractors’ Associations (CICA), are essential for Cement Masons who want to advance their careers or interact with other professionals in their industry or sector. Participation in one or more of these organizations adds value to your resume while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions when working outdoors
• ​​Considerable exposure to mud and cement dust
• Extensive traveling may be required according to the location of construction sites.
• Heavy pressure and long working hours as the work must be finished once the concrete is poured.
• Layoff by small enterprises during the slow season
• Hazardous working environment with the risk of chemical burns from uncured concrete, falling off the scaffolding, or cuts from equipment
• The need to wear protective gear 
• Health problems caused due to standing, bending, or kneeling for long periods.

Suggested Work Experience

Every academic program in which a potential Cement Mason enrolls often includes a term of supervised experiences, such as an internship. Postsecondary education programs often expose you to cutting-edge technology and boost your employability.

You can learn by assisting experienced masons. Sign up for summer internships to learn the profession while working under the guidance of experienced and senior Cement Masons. Typically, you will learn how to use hand tools, power tools, and material handling equipment. You can also network with folks you could work with soon.

An apprenticeship may be combined with masonry programs in technical schools. Often, unions and contractor associations finance apprenticeship programs lasting three to four years until trainees are qualified to work independently. You will learn about fundamental construction topics such as blueprint reading, measurement-oriented mathematics, building code standards, and safety and first-aid. To qualify for apprenticeships, candidates must be at least 18 years old, in excellent health, and able to work well with their hands.

To demonstrate your devotion to course providers and future employers, read about the profession and interview or job shadow professionals working in cement masonry.

Recommended Qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum academic qualification for prospective Cement Masons, while your experience and talents may be more important to some organizations.

Apprenticeship training and masonry programs may be combined in technical institutions. Students learn about local building codes and how to design, read blueprints, and estimate material costs. Developing practical skills is generally part of the program.

Take maths and science classes in high school. Choose building courses like mechanical drawing and drafting.

€Certifications, Licenses, and Registration

A Cement Mason’s proficiency in a skill set is demonstrated through job experience, training, and passing an examination. It can help you stand out in a competitive employment market, carry a large wage premium of up to 18%, boost your prospects of progression, and allow you to become an independent consultant if obtained from an objective and reputable organization. Successful certification programs defend the public welfare by including a Code of Ethics.

ACI Certified Cement Physical Tester certification, as well as other relevant accreditations, are highly valued in a variety of industries. You can get advice from your mentors or examine job descriptions from different companies to learn about the newest trends while deciding on an appropriate certification.

A person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening are all examples of employment background checks.

Projected Career Map

Career advancement is driven by performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional certifications. Workers who consistently deliver above-average results may be eligible for advancement every two to three years.

Cement Masons may specialize in a certain component of their profession, such as form setting or concrete finishing, once they have mastered their craft. With further experience and training, they may advance to the position of Foreperson, where they oversee materials and timetables and guide the “crew” to perform duties on a job on time.

When you advance to more senior construction management positions, such as Superintendent or Supervisor, you will command many crews that work on large commercial, governmental, or industrial projects. Progression will result in additional difficulties and responsibilities, increased prestige, and larger paychecks.

If you join a union, you can progress through its ranks. If you improve your skills, you can branch out into construction inspection or contract estimation. Cement Masons may become independent contractors after gaining sufficient expertise and establishing a stable network.

Job Prospects

Applicants with the required construction abilities, education, and experience have the best career possibilities.

Beneficial Professional Development

CPD will assist an active Cement Mason develop personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It enables you to always improve your skills, regardless of your age, employment, or degree of expertise.

Aspiring Cement Masons can obtain hands-on experience with tools, equipment, machinery, and materials of the trade by completing advanced apprenticeships with construction businesses. As an employee, you may be asked to work a certain amount of hours each week, depending on the organization. If you meet the age and other conditions, your learning will normally occur on the job through a college or training provider. As an apprentice, you may be required to perform the duties of both a student and a paid employee.

Nonetheless, many Cement Masons learn from experienced workers, including finishing, layout, and safety techniques.

Attending classes and attending workshops regularly can assist a Cement Mason in staying current on industry trends and learning about new tools and technology. It would be best to learn how to use hand tools, power tools, and material handling equipment to advance your profession.

Conclusion of Cement Mason

Suppose you have a creative imagination and the strength to turn bricks and mortar into elegant, functional, and long-lasting buildings. In that case, a career as a Cement Mason allows you to mix work and play and turn various skills into a rewarding and satisfying career.

Advice from the Wise

One approach to summarise your labor is to say that it starts with constructing a structure, pouring concrete and finishing the surface, and finally, deconstructing the framework. However, remember that pouring concrete to build a slab for a home’s foundation, garage floor, patio, or driveway necessitates more attention to surface finishing than the shaping process. However, establishing the framework is more important than completing the surface when pouring concrete to produce load-bearing foundation walls used in homes and structures.

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