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home Construction and the built environment
Plasterer - solid Plasterer

Plasterer - solid Plasterer

Construction and the built environment

Level 2 - Technical Occupation

Preparing walls and ceilings for decoration and finishing.

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Reference: OCC0096B

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £28,740 per year

SOC 2020 code: 5321 Plasterers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 5321/02 Plasterers (wall and decorative)
  • 8119/02 Concrete operatives (concrete production)

Technical Education Products

ST0096:

Plasterer - solid Plasterer

(Level 2)

Approved for delivery
  • Career Starter Apprenticeship

TL0015a:

Onsite construction - Plastering

(Level 3)

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Cambridge Regional College, A&B Joinery, Association of Brickwork Contractors, Barratt Developments PLC, Bordercraft Construction, Bordercraft Group, Carlisle College, City and Guilds, Construction EPA, Dunchurch Brickwork �, Fairgrove Homes, Federation of Master Builders, FMB, Galliard Homes, George Cook, Home Builders Federation, Kilwaughter, Langton, Lyons & Annoot Ltd, Manchester United, McCarthy and Stone, Morgan Sindall Group (Lovell Homes), Plasterace, Redrow, Saint Gobain, Taylor Wimpey, West Dale Services, William Davis

Summary

This occupation is found in both the new build and refurbishment construction sector. Project size will vary in size ranging from domestic repairs to larger contracts for home builders, commercial and retail developments. Employers and contractors of plasterers vary in size from small, local family building companies to major home builders and commercial contractors. Plasterers may choose to specialise in specific projects and progress to become masters in their field. The demand for plasterers is consistently high to support growth both in new build homes and commercial projects but also home renovation projects and heritage work on listed buildings.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to apply layers of plaster onto walls and ceilings. Plastering serves a protective function in that it makes buildings more robust, an aesthetic function as well as providing thermal values and fire protection. Plasterers need to have knowledge of dry lining to support their knowledge and skills to plaster. Solid plastering involves applying a range of plastering systems on to different background surfaces such as solid plain walls, walls with openings and returns, ceiling joists and partitions and beams using traditional and modern materials. Solid plasterers would work on site. Fibrous plastering involves creating plaster components with either a modern or contemporary design, ornamental enrichment to classical design such as column casings, ceiling roses, cornices, panel mouldings and many more. A fibrous plasterer would produce work in a workshop in addition to installing products on site. Fibrous work can be found in traditional and modern buildings and sometimes in the film industry.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with commercial, retail and domestic customers, other trades and the site management team, which could include a craft plasterer who will direct the work of the plastering team. They will also liaise with other construction trades such as bricklayers, carpenters and decorators. Plasterers can work on their own or as part of a small team.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for producing high quality work which meets standards, specifications and design plans. They are expected to comply with all safety aspects involved with working on a construction site, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others at all times. With sustainable construction at the forefront of all projects, it is expected they would give consideration to the environment and suitability of material, waste awareness and recycling. An apprentice who completed this level can progress onto specialising in either fibrous plastering, solid plastering or external rendering.

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Cambridge Regional College, A&B Joinery, Association of Brickwork Contractors, Barratt Developments PLC, Bordercraft Construction, Bordercraft Group, Carlisle College, City and Guilds, Construction EPA, Dunchurch Brickwork �, Fairgrove Homes, Federation of Master Builders, FMB, Galliard Homes, George Cook, Home Builders Federation, Kilwaughter, Langton, Lyons & Annoot Ltd, Manchester United, McCarthy and Stone, Morgan Sindall Group (Lovell Homes), Plasterace, Redrow, Saint Gobain, Taylor Wimpey, West Dale Services, William Davis

eco

Mid Green occupation

Typical job titles include:

Plasterer

Keywords:

Building
Ceilings
Construction
Decoration
Plaster
Walls

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: Core: Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Employer and Employee responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR). Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Asbestos awareness. Fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height. Electrical safety.
K2: Core: Types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to use.
K3: Core: Employment types (self-employed and employed), small business start up principles, tax responsibilities, roles and responsibilities.
K4: Core: Principles of good team working.
K5: Core: Verbal communication techniques and construction terminology.
K6: Core: Safe systems of work: Site inductions, toolbox talks, risk assessments, method statements and hazard identification techniques.
K7: Core: Awareness of environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Impact of the sector on the environment: Efficient use of resources. Recycling, reuse, surface water contamination and safe disposal of waste.
K8: Core: The importance and considerations of the environment and sustainability: Thermal qualities, acoustics, U-values, airtightness and ventilation in buildings.
K9: Core: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings and specifications.
K10: Core: Principles of building: Foundations, roofs, walls, floors, utilities and services, insulation, fire, damp proof courses (DPC) and quality of materials, Damp Proof Membrane (DPM), fire protection and insulation and expansion joints.
K11: Core: Basic principles of digital design and modelling systems.
K12: Core: Inclusion, equity and diversity in the workplace.
K13: Core: Well-being: Mental and physical health considerations in self and others and how to access support.
K14: Core: Standards and regulations associated with plastering activities: British standards, building regulations and manufacturers’ instructions and warranty.
K15: Core: Techniques to move and handle plastering materials and equipment, manually and with lifting equipment.
K16: Core: Use of power tools and equipment: pre user checks, use, maintenance, defect or fault escalation.
K17: Core: Methods of protecting work and the surrounding work areas, the impact of plastering work on customers’ properties, other trades and the project.
K18: Core: Material storage techniques, stock rotation and date order.
K19: Core: Principles and practices of working at height safely and the use of access equipment.
K20: SP: Basic Material estimation techniques for internal plastering and external rendering.
K21: SP: Mixing techniques for solid plastering and rendering: Ratios, pre-mixed, hand mixing and mechanical mixing.
K22: SP: Defects and repair: solid Plaster defects and repair methods.
K23: SP: Hand tools, types, use and storage techniques, for internal solid plastering and rendering.
K24: SP: Setting coat plaster hand application and finishing techniques: setting coat on floating coat, setting coat on plasterboard and use of beads.
K25: SP: Floating coat plaster hand application, consolidation, mechanical key and beading techniques
K26: SP: Plain face render hand application and finishing techniques: plain face render coat and forming hard angles.
K27: SP: Principles of machine application of plastering and rendering materials.
K28: SP: Render base coat hand application techniques: render dubbing out, scratch coat and render bead application.
K29: SP: Fixing techniques of plasterboards to backgrounds: direct bond with adhesive, mechanical fixing, reinforcement of joints, spanning joists and staggering.
K30: SP: Methods of measuring, marking out and cutting plasterboard using hand tools.
K31: SP: Principles of dry lining: application, joint reinforcement, jointing compound and finishing.
K32: SP: Principles of levelling compound use and materials: sands, cement, ready mixed screeds, timber rail screed and self-levelling.
K33: SP: Principles and characteristics of solid plastering and rendering surface preparation and beading: render beads, solid plaster beads, keying (mechanical bonding), clean surface, expanded Metal Lath (EML), Rib lath, solid plastering and render primers and sealers.
K34: SP: Types and characteristics of setting plaster and plasterboards, tapered edge, square edge, size, plasterboard adhesives, lightweight backing plasters, finishing plasters, bonding compounds, joint reinforcement.
K35: SP: Types and characteristics of traditional and modern rendering materials: sands and cements, silicone-based renders, render reinforcement mesh, pebble dash, accelerators, limes, plasticisers and waterproofer.

S1: Core: Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
S2: Core: Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
S3: Core: Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
S4: Core: Use access equipment for example, hop ups, podiums or low-level scaffolding.
S5: Core: Interpret information from drawings and specifications.
S6: Core: Store materials considering date order for rotation of stock.
S7: Core: Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
S8: Core: Check, use and store power tools and equipment, escalate faults or defects.
S9: Core: Move and handle materials and equipment manually and with lifting equipment.
S10: Core: Protect finished work and the surrounding area.
S11: Core: Verbally communicate with others, for example colleagues, other tradespeople, managers and customers.
S12: Core: Applies team working principles to their own and the wider build team.
S13: SP: Estimate quantities and select solid plastering and render materials.
S14: SP: Select, use and store hand tools for solid plastering and rendering.
S15: SP: Mix materials for solid plastering and render to ratio.
S16: SP: Apply floating coat plaster to solid back grounds, including the formation of 90 degree angles with bead, consolidation and mechanical key application.
S17: SP: Apply setting coat plaster to floating coat plasters, including forming 90 degree angles with bead.
S18: SP: Apply setting coat plaster to plasterboard surfaces.
S19: SP: Apply plain face render to scratch coat renders, including forming a hard angle.
S20: SP: Apply scratch coat renders, including mechanical key, dobbing out coats and application of render beads.
S21: SP: Prepare background surfaces to receive solid plasters, and renders, including the application of solid plastering and render primers and sealers.
S22: SP: Measure, mark out and cut plasterboard to fit area and obstacles, using hand tools.
S23: SP: Install plasterboard to timber surfaces and reinforce joints.
S24: SP: Direct bond plasterboard to solid backgrounds, including sealing around obstacles.
S25: SP: Carry out solid plaster repair: For example, replace plasterboard, patch plaster to solid background.

B1: Put health, safety and wellbeing first.
B2: Consider the environment and sustainability when using resources and carrying out processes.
B3: Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture.
B4: Seeks to maintain and enhance competence of self through continuous improvement.
B5: Team-focus to meet team goals including, considering the wider team.

Duties

Duty D1

Work in compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of self and others at all times. Report in a timely manner any non-compliances against the construction programme to the appropriate person

Duty D2

Carry out work conforming to all current and relevant building regulations, quality standards and work instructions

Duty D3

Collaborate with stakeholders including clients and other construction trades

Duty D4

Work to the construction programme, adapting to changes in schedule and requirements where necessary

Duty D5

Maintain a clear and safe workspace at all times, disposing of waste appropriately and sustainably

Duty D6

Receive, unload, move and lift materials to site for installation following safe handling practices preventing injury or damage

Duty D7

Prepare the workspace including preparing and setting out the work and the selection of materials and tools appropriate to the project

Duty D8

Carry out continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of current and future developments affecting the role

Duty D9

Finish drylining joints using jointing and taping

Duty D10

Use tools and equipment to install plasterboard by direct bond to masonry or by mechanically fixing to timber or lightweight metal framing

Duty D11

Use the appropriate tools and equipment for internal surfaces and produce solid plastering finishes including two coat and skimming on plasterboard

Duty D12

Carry out minor repairs or modifications to plaster work

Duty D13

Use the appropriate tools and equipment for external render finishes

Occupational Progression

This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.

In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.

It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.

Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.

Technical Occupations

Levels 2-3

Higher Technical Occupations

Levels 4-5

Professional Occupations

Levels 6-7

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Level 2

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Level 3

Construction and the built environment