Various labor jobs like driver jobs, clerk jobs, and other similar labor employment jobs have been the common sources of income of the low-income families. Since construction is booming in most of the cities, the work jobs for the cement masons are also in demand.
These cement mason are skilled workers who smooth and finish surfaces of concrete on many different kinds of construction projects ranging from floors and sidewalks to highways, dams, and airport runways. However, the principal work of the cement mason, also known as cement finisher and concrete mason, is to smooth and finish exposed concrete surfaces to specified textures in a variety of different construction projects.
Basic to the quality of the cement mason’s work is the knowledge of his materials. He knows which of the various cement and concrete mixtures will speed or slow the setting time and which to use for surfaces of specified strengths. In addition, masons are aware of the effects of heat, cold, and wind on the curing of the cement and are able to recognize these effects by sight and touch.
Duties of a Cement Mason
As required with his knowledge on his labor jobs, and together with this understanding of materials, the cement mason also has a familiarity with blueprint reading, trade mathematics, building code regulations, and estimating materials and costs. With this information in the background, masons are ready to begin their work. The preparation of a site for concrete pouring is very important. Forms for a framework are set up by the mason to hold the poured concrete until it hardens into the desired shape. Then, steel rods or mesh are set into place. Finally, the cement mason pours or directs the pouring of the cement into the forms so that it flows rather than drops. The wet concrete is then spread, leveled, and tamped. Concrete can now be poured year-round, using heated, temporary shelters.
On driveways, pavements, and similar projects, they finish by brushing the concrete with a wet brush or pull a canvas belt or burlap strip over it to attain specified surface texture. On certain projects where curved edges are necessary, masons may use such tools as curb edger or a radius tool. On other structural projects such as walls and floors, they may remove rough or defective spots with a chisel and hammer. Afterwards, the concrete must ‘cure,’ or harden to its proper strength, which usually takes about a week. When working with concrete that is exposed, as ceilings and wall panels inside a building or concrete piers or columns outside, the cement mason must leave a smooth finish. To achieve the desired finish, defects and air pockets must be eliminated. To do this, cement masons prepare a surface by rubbing it with silicon carbide to remove any high spots. They then rub in a rich cement mixture using a piece of burlap or a sponge rubber float. This fills in any imperfections, leaving the desired uniform appearance.
Smaller projects, such as sidewalks, patios, or driveways, are usually done by hand. On large-scale projects, such as highways, power-operated floats and finishing machines are used. Though power-operated equipment can perform many services, there are usually corners and other inaccessible areas in most projects that require hand-finishing. Concrete-stone finishers, finish ornamental and decorative concrete structures, and concrete rubbers put the finishing coat on poured concrete forms.
A variety of tools are used by all cement masons, ranging from simple hand tools such as chisels, hammers, trowels, screens, and an edger to more expensive equipment such as pneumatic chisels, concrete mixing machines, and cement-trowel machines.
Most employers prefer to hire persons, who will be assigned in a labor intensive job, who have a good physical condition and possess manual dexterity. Although a high-school diploma is not required, the applicant must have at least completed the eight grade and have some understanding of basic mathematics. To qualify as a cement mason, however, a person must complete either an apprenticeship or an on-the-job training program. To enter the apprenticeship program in most parts of the country, applicants first must have their qualifications approved by a joint labor-management apprenticeship committee. This program consists of two or three years of carefully planned activity combining work experience in the use and handling of tools, equipment, and materials of the trade and many others. The on-the-job training program is the other way to qualify for the position of a cement mason and other blue-collar job assignments. This consists of working for a number of years under the guidance of experienced masons. Usually trainees begin as cement helpers or laborers until they acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for more difficult work. On-the- job training requires more time to become skillful since it depends on chance vacancies for any upgrading to take place.
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