A bricklayer’s labourer — Dutch *opper* or *opperman* — is the site worker who keeps the bricklayer supplied. Bricks, mortar, tools and scaffold material have to be in the right place at the right time so that the bricklayer never has to stop laying.
It is one of the oldest jobs on a building site. In older British usage the same worker carrying mortar and bricks up a ladder in a hod was known as a hod carrier.
What the job involves
- Bringing bricks up and stacking them along the wall within the bricklayer’s reach.
- Mixing and delivering mortar in tubs, and turning the mortar over regularly so it stays consistent.
- Erecting and lifting scaffolding as the brickwork rises.
- Keeping the workplace clear — rubble, packaging and spilled mortar removed.
From carrying to mechanical handling
Traditionally the labourer carried bricks by hand, in a hod or a tub. It is heavy work and caused a great deal of back and shoulder injury. Today brick packs are lifted to the work position by crane with a brick clamp.
As a working guide, around 25 kg is widely used as an upper limit for occasional lifting, and the acceptable load drops sharply for repeated lifting. A bricklayer moves tonnes of material in a day, which is why handling aids are the norm rather than a luxury.
Practical rules for a good supply position:
- Stack bricks at about 40 to 60 cm high, so the bricklayer does not have to stoop deeply.
- Keep the stacks within a couple of metres of the work, on the side the bricklayer stands.
- Keep the scaffold walkway clear; stacked material in the middle of a scaffold deck is one of the most common causes of falls.
- Mix no more mortar than can be used in about one to two hours.
Doing it yourself
Anyone laying their own garden wall is their own labourer. Think about a wheelbarrow or sack truck for the bricks, a mortar tub with a lid to stop it drying out, and the bricks set out at working height before you start. That saves more time than the laying itself.
Related terms
- Bricklaying
- Mortar
- Bricklayer’s profile
- Scaffolding
- Manual handling
Learn more about building terms in our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.