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47-2021.00 · Task explorer

Brickmasons and Blockmasons: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.

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This source lists 14 tasks, including 12 marked Core and 2 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2018.

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14 tasks shown

Core · Task 4769 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.

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Core · Task 4768 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.

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Core · Task 4775 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.

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Core · Task 4770 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.

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Core · Task 4772 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.

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Core · Task 4774 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.

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Core · Task 4773 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.

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Core · Task 4771 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.

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Core · Task 4778 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.

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Core · Task 4777 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.

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Core · Task 4776 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.

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Core · Task 4780 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Remove burned or damaged brick or mortar, using sledgehammer, crowbar, chipping gun, or chisel.

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Supplemental · Task 4779 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Lay and align bricks, blocks, or tiles to build or repair structures or high temperature equipment, such as cupola, kilns, ovens, or furnaces.

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Supplemental · Task 4781 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Spray or spread refractory material over brickwork to protect against deterioration.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.