Brick Masons

Brick masons are workers that create beautiful surfaces and structures using bricks and a binding material. Brick masons and block masons, also called bricklayers are contracted to build and repair structures such as walls, fireplaces, floors, and partitions. There is a portion of brick masons that specialize in installing firebrick linings in industrial furnaces. This group of brick masons is called refractory masons and is commonly employed in oil refineries, incinerators, and steel mills. Once primary installation is complete, brick masons, block masons, and stone masons continue to stay involved with the project by being called back for ordinary maintenance and repairs.

Brick layers, block masons, and stone masons were often exposed to asbestos via the materials they used on a daily basis. Before the 1970s, the materials in which these craftsmen used were commonly manufactured with asbestos. Some materials that used to include asbestos in its manufacturing were bricks and binding materials. Again, the reason for using asbestos in these products was to make them more heat-resistant. Therefore, the block masons, and stone masons that would have been more at risk when working with these asbestos products are those that worked on structures that were going to be around high levels of heat such as furnaces, ovens, and kilns.

However, these asbestos containing products were not only installed in high-heat situations. Asbestos products were also for its fire ressistance meaning that any brick constructed buildings that were built before 1970 were probably constructed with asbestos materials. This generalized the problem greatly and encapsulated schools, corporate offices, and government buildings. All masons need to keep this in mind when restoring or repairing legacy buildings built before 1970.

Many New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York facilities built before 1970 have been found to contain asbestos materials. As previously documented, schools throughout the tri-state area have went through extensive restoration and repair to resolve the problem. New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania masons have been heavily involved in these asbestos removing restorations and repairs. It is important for these masons to use all precautions and safety measures when working with these materials.

Unfortunately, many masons have been exposed to asbestos materials unknowingly leading to the development of Mesothelioma. Numerous cases have occurred in which masons have been exposed to joint compounds and brick materials and in-turn received large settlements. While material manufacturers are named in many of these cases, negligent companies that were aware of the materials in their buildings are also brought into the lawsuits. Masons must understand their rights in these situations and how to take the appropriate action.