DuPage County Cement Masons Local 803
Cement Masons pour, smooth and finish all concrete surfaces large or small such as floors, walls, sidewalks, driveways, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. They align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; use saws to cut expansion joints.
Cement Masons work with concrete, one of the most common and durable materials used in construction. Once set, concrete – a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water becomes the foundation for many construction projects. Before the concrete is poured, Cement Masons (also called finishers) check the forms and grade. Then they direct the casting of the concrete. On small jobs, the Cement Mason may mix or direct the mixing of the concrete and also pour and spread the concrete.
Cement Masons level, smooth, finish and shape the concrete surfaces, using a variety of hand tools such as straight edges, floats and trowels. Power trowels may be used on largescale projects, but corners, edges and hard to reach places must still be finished by hand. In some projects, machines are used in the leveling and troweling process. Cement Masons mold joints and edges, using hand tools such as edger’s, jointers and straightedges. They remove rough spots from surfaces with power grinders, hammers and chisels and patch holes with a fresh cement mixture. Cement Masons create desired textures and colors using a variety of brushes, belts, coloring powders and terrazzo (marble) chips.
Cement Masons must be familiar with the characteristics of various cements and concrete mixes and be knowledgeable of the effects of weather upon the curing of concrete. Throughout the entire process, Cement Masons must monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affects the curing of the concrete. They must have a thorough knowledge of concrete characteristics so that, by sight and touch, they can determine what is happening to the concrete and take measures to prevent defects.
Cement Masons are exposed to most types of weather, and must work around wet concrete. Potential hazards include the possibility of falls, falling objects, back injuries, knee injuries and cement poisoning. Protective equipment used by Cement Masons includes rubber boots, gloves, hard hats, kneepads, face respirators (for cement dust) and safety glasses. This work is strenuous and involves much pushing and pulling, reaching and handling, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling and walking. The work may require climbing or working from scaffolds and may also involve heavy lifting and carrying (up to 100 lbs).