03 March 2021

Business advice

I'M A BRICKLAYER. WHAT ADVICE DO I NEED TO GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT?

This article begins with a presentation of the specific features of the bricklaying profession. Parade will then give you its advice on choosing the best safety shoes and workwear for bricklaying. Then there's a selection of safety shoes and workwear that's just right for the job.

1. SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE JOB

Bricklayers work outdoors on construction sites, either alone or as part of a team, depending on the size of the project. They usually stand on scaffolding, in excavations or in trenches dug in the ground. They carry heavy loads and have to climb ladders.

In traditional construction, the bricklayer prepares the foundations, erects the walls and partitions and lays the slabs. They assemble bricks, breezeblocks or stones using binding materials such as cement or mortar. While respecting the plans provided and the levels.

In industrial construction, they use rebar for reinforcement, install and sometimes make formwork and moulds into which concrete is poured.

Given these working conditions, it is important to protect yourself.

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF PPE

Depending on the situation, bricklayers handle concrete, binders, rubble, stone, brick, wood, composite materials or prefabricated assemblies (beams, slabs, pre-slabs)... They also use hand tools (trowel, plumb line, etc.) and/or mechanical equipment such as jigsaws, drills or grinders. These tools can put the user at risk.

This is why, to protect themselves from the dangers to which they are exposed, bricklayers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The bricklayer must protect their entire body: head, eyes, hands, legs and feet. In this article, we'll be focusing on protection for the feet, legs and chest.

Protecting your feet

Handling heavy and dangerous objects, and working in particularly difficult conditions, bricklayers must not forget to protect their feet. It's important to choose safety footwear that's appropriate for the job, providing protection and comfort for the feet.

- Bricklayers should opt for S3 safety shoes, as they are suited to wet working environments and risky, uneven ground. S3 safety shoes are all labelled WRU (water-repellent upper), which means that their uppers are water-repellent to protect your feet from moisture. What's more, the S3 standard guarantees a safety shoe with an anti-puncture sole that will protect the foot from sharp objects that may be left on the ground, as well as an SRC (slip resistant) sole that guarantees total resistance to slipping.

- Go for a shoe with a high shaft for better ankle support.

- Bricklayers sometimes crouch or kneel, which is why you need to choose a safety shoe with a flexible sole. The soles of Parade safety shoes are lightweight and flexible, made from either EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) or PU (polyurethane). For greater flexibility, you need to look at the anti-puncture plate and opt for a fabric anti-puncture plate (APT), also listed as "non-metallic" in our catalogue.

- Working outdoors on building sites, bricklayers have to deal with all kinds of weather. To protect yourself from temperature changes in winter, it may be a good idea to choose footwear with the CI label (insulation against the cold). CI shoes are useful for workers working on cold or damp ground. The additional CI label guarantees resistance to cold rising through the floor. To withstand the cold even better, choose a pair of shoes with an upper made of materials that keep the foot warm such as leather. Finally, for extra protection, you can also go for fur-lined safety shoes, like the SIROKA boots or NORWAY. safety shoes. In summer, choose safety shoes with uppers made from breathable materials to prevent heat being trapped inside and to help wick away any perspiration (TONKA safety shoes).

To sum up, a bricklayer needs to choose a safety shoe...

> With the S3* label, suitable for outdoor activities, waterproof and with an SRC anti-slip sole

> With a high shaft for better ankle support

> With an anti-puncture fabric plate (APT) for a more flexible sole

> With the CI label; insulation against cold in winter

> With a breathable upper for summer

Parade’s little extra

Parade has developed several technologies to make its safety shoes even more comfortable.

Parade Air technology, which uses an air bubble encapsulated in the sole to absorb micro-shock vibrations and provide highly effective, controlled cushioning.

DRS (shock wave dissipation) technology provides optimum shock absorption thanks to a half-dome under the heel that dissipates the shock wave and prevents trauma.

*S3: wet work environment and hazardous terrain

Check out our selection of shoes below!

Protecting your chest

Working outdoors, bricklayers have to adapt their outfits to the seasons. In winter, they work in a cold environment, so they need to wear warm, waterproof clothing. In summer, when it's hot, they need to wear light, breathable clothing. Whether in summer or winter, workwear must provide real comfort.

- In winter, you'll need work clothes that cover you well and are suitable for bad weather and the cold. For protection from the cold, bricklayers can use the onion technique, which consists of wearing 3 layers of fabric. As a reminder, the first layer is the breathable layer, the second is the insulating layer and the third is the protective layer. To read the article on this subject, click here.
- In the heat of summer, work clothes need to be as breathable as possible. Polyester is a material with many advantages: it is breathable, lightweight and hard-wearing. Choose the OYABE t-shirt.

Protecting your legs

- Trousers: Work trousers need to be functional, with plenty of pockets for storing small tools. What's more, they have to be made from solid materials that can withstand wear and tear, particularly at the knees: "almost all our trousers have a 100% nylon knee reinforcement with high resistance to abrasion and tearing".

- Knee pads: Inserting knee pads in the pockets provided in your work trousers will help reduce and relieve knee pain. Parade has ANKARO for men and AKABA for women.

3.SELECTION OF PARADE EQUIPMENT

Safety shoes:

On rough terrain, we recommend our "Nebraska" range of safety shoes. This range of safety footwear includes safety boots and high ankle boots, ankle boots and low shoes. The soles are studded and feature the FLEX SYSTEM, which makes it easier to remove soil from the shoe, keeping it light and preventing it from sticking.

All the safety shoes in the range are available in black and brown.

NAGOYA (men) - S3 - VPS

NARENA (unisex) - S3 – VPS

NETNA (men) - S3 – VPS

NAGORA (unisex) - S3 – VPS

NOUMEA (men) - S3 – VPS

NIKOLA (men) - S3 – VPS

If you're self-employed and want to wear more casual safety shoes when you go out to do your quotes and/or bookkeeping, we've got two models for you.

The first is the OSLO shoe, for a casual style at work while still being protected.

For a more urban style, try the SLAMER. This safety shoe will provide you with maximum comfort and real flexibility in the way your foot moves, thanks to the sole (EVA) and its design.

Workwear :

AMAZY : Grey hat made from recycled French yarn by Filature du Parc. This recycled knit provides greater resistance to abrasion while retaining its softness and warmth.

OVERNO : the soft, warm long-sleeved winter t-shirt.

OPOLE : a warm, comfortable fleece for men, with a high collar to keep your neck warm.

OCAMPO : You'll love the large kangaroo pocket for added practicality. To make your protective clothing last longer, we've added abrasion-resistant reinforcements to the elbow pads. You'll love the high collar and drawstring hood, so you can say goodbye to the chills.

OGUSSA : Men's sleeveless down jacket with zip pockets for tools or pens.

OSTROV : The OSTROV softshell is made for you. Its multiple pockets mean you can take your pencils and small tools everywhere with you without worrying about them falling out, thanks to the zip pockets. If you're working in the cold, you'll love the fleece lining and high collar. Say goodbye to chilly spells! What's more, you'll appreciate its anti-abrasion reinforcements that make the clothes last longer.

ORMOZ : the warm, waterproof parka that will protect you in all weather. Comfort is just as important, so you'll benefit from PARADE technology with a high collar for no more cold and a removable hood.

BRAKEL : work trousers with raised, adjustable waistband. Trousers with multiple pockets: front, back, side, Velcro or zip, even your phone will have a dedicated place. Space for knee pads.
BELIZE : comfortable tracksuit bottoms with front diagonal pockets and tape measure pocket on the side. In addition, anti-abrasion reinforcements have been added to the knees and lower legs.

ALASKA : High wool winter socks with reinforced toes and heel.

OISON : Warm, comfortable women's fleece with a high collar to keep the cold out.

OFFIN : High-neck zip-up sweatshirt with hood. Stay warm with these gathered cuffs and bottoms that won't let the cool air in.

OGNA : Women's sleeveless down jacket with multiple pockets.

OSTRA : The reinforced Softshell jacket, water-resistant and breathable for bad weather. This jacket has a fleece lining to keep you warm. And it has a Parade collar that protects the back of the neck from the cold. Finally, its multiple pockets mean you can take your pencils and small tools everywhere with you without worrying about them, thanks to the zip pockets.

OKEMAH : Your comfort is important to Parade and on this jacket you'll benefit from PARADE technology with a raised collar to keep the cold out and a longer back for greater coverage.
BOMBAY : Work trousers with raised, adjustable waistband. They have many pockets: diagonal pockets in the front, small zip pocket with a ring above for keys, tape measure pocket on the right with pen slot, large zip pocket on the left and phone pocket that rotates when bending down.

TOKYO : polyester technical socks reinforced at the toe and heel.