Masonry Magazine: Masons First with Lightweight Concrete Masonry Units

ESCSI Member Kevin Cavanaugh authored an article featured in Masonry Magazine outlining how lighter concrete blocks can mitigate injuries, increase productivity, and improve profitability for mason contractors. Read an excerpt below.

As you all know, the work masons and mason tenders do is physically very demanding. The repetitive lifting and placing of big and heavy natural stones, heavy precast concrete units or heavy concrete masonry units (CMU) is not only physically demanding but will often cause or exacerbate existing injuries. Put simply, masonry is hard work.

Making a mason’s task easier seems like an obvious thing to do. Some simple ways to achieve this include using exoskeletons, lifting assistance robots or equipment and lighter and easier-to-maneuver CMU. All three of these options come with cost implications that, at first glance, may seem unattractive to mason contractors. However, if the cost to use them is recouped in increased productivity, quicker job completion, fewer lost-time injuries, and reduced workers’ compensation claims, why would you not use them?

This article shares some insights into how mason contractors that are using lighter and easier-to-maneuver units are also becoming more profitable and improving the morale, safety and health of their employees.

Read the full Masonry Magazine article here.