Toolbox Talk: Bracing of Masonry Walls
To help prevent masonry walls from collapsing during erection and curing, and to help protect the workers on the job site from injury, the following minimum practices should be observed.
• Masonry walls should be braced when they reach a height of greater than eight feet.
• Bracing should be provided on both sides of the wall and should remain in place until permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place.
• The brace should be at a minimum of a 30-degree angle with the vertical wall. A 45-degree angle provides the greatest protection. All bracing should be constructed of lumber measuring a minimum of 2” x 8”.
• If the wall is greater than 20 feet in height, an additional vertical brace may be needed. One brace would be placed vertically at between 1/3 and 1/2 the height of the wall. The second brace would be at 2/3 the height of the wall.
• A 2’ x 4’ stake at least two feet long should be driven into the ground at least 18 inches to support the brace. Rebar should not be used for this purpose.
To protect workers on the job site, a limited access zone should be established whenever a masonry wall is being constructed. This limited access zone should conform to the following:
• The zone should be established before the start of construction.
• The zone should be equal to the height of the wall plus four feet.
• The zone should be on the side of the wall that is not scaffolded.
• Only employees involved in constructing the wall should be allowed inside the zone.
• The zone should remain in place until the wall is adequately braced unless the wall is over eight feet, in which case, the zone should remain until the permanent supporting elements of the structure are in place.
