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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.
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Duty 1 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 |
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Duty 2 Carry out work conforming to all current and relevant building regulations, quality standards and work instructions |
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Duty 3 Collaborate with stakeholders including clients and other construction trades |
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Duty 4 Work to the construction programme, adapting to changes in schedule and requirements where necessary |
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Duty 5 Maintain a clear and safe workspace at all times, disposing of waste appropriately and sustainably |
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Duty 6 Receive, unload, move and lift materials to site for installation following safe handling practices preventing injury or damage |
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Duty 7 Prepare the workspace including preparing and setting out the work and the selection of materials and tools appropriate to the project |
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Duty 8 Carry out continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of current and future developments affecting the role |
| Duty | KSBs |
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Duty 9 Finish drylining joints using jointing and taping |
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Duty 10 Use tools and equipment to install plasterboard by direct bond to masonry or by mechanically fixing to timber or lightweight metal framing |
K2 K18 K21 K23 K24 K26 K27 K28 K30 K31 K32 K34 S9 S15 S16 S18 S21 S22 S23 S24
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Duty 11 Use the appropriate tools and equipment for internal surfaces and produce solid plastering finishes including two coat and skimming on plasterboard |
K21 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K29 K31 K32 K33 K34
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Duty 12 Carry out minor repairs or modifications to plaster work |
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Duty 13 Use the appropriate tools and equipment for external render finishes |
K18 K20 K21 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K33 K35
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Duty 14 Produce, position and secure fibrous plaster components |
K18 K36 K37 K38 K40 K41 K42 K43 K44 K45 K46 K47 K48 K49 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30 S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38
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Duty 15 Use the appropriate tools and equipment for fibrous plaster moulding |
K36 K37 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 K43 K45 K46 K47 K48 K49 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30 S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38
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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.
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K2: Core: Types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to use.
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K3: Core: Employment types (self-employed and employed), small business start up principles, tax responsibilities, roles and responsibilities.
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K4: Core: Principles of good team working.
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K5: Core: Verbal communication techniques and construction terminology.
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K6: Core: Safe systems of work: Site inductions, toolbox talks, risk assessments, method statements and hazard identification techniques.
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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.
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K8: Core: The importance and considerations of the environment and sustainability: Thermal qualities, acoustics, U-values, airtightness and ventilation in buildings.
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K9: Core: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings and specifications.
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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.
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K11: Core: Basic principles of digital design and modelling systems.
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K12: Core: Inclusion, equity and diversity in the workplace.
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K13: Core: Well-being: Mental and physical health considerations in self and others and how to access support.
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K14: Core: Standards and regulations associated with plastering activities: British standards, building regulations and manufacturers’ instructions and warranty.
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K15: Core: Techniques to move and handle plastering materials and equipment, manually and with lifting equipment.
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K16: Core: Use of power tools and equipment: pre user checks, use, maintenance, defect or fault escalation.
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K17: Core: Methods of protecting work and the surrounding work areas, the impact of plastering work on customers’ properties, other trades and the project.
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K18: Core: Material storage techniques, stock rotation and date order.
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K19: Core: Principles and practices of working at height safely and the use of access equipment.
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K20: SP: Basic Material estimation techniques for internal plastering and external rendering.
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K21: SP: Mixing techniques for solid plastering and rendering: Ratios, pre-mixed, hand mixing and mechanical mixing.
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K22: SP: Defects and repair: solid Plaster defects and repair methods.
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K23: SP: Hand tools, types, use and storage techniques, for internal solid plastering and rendering.
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K24: SP: Setting coat plaster hand application and finishing techniques: setting coat on floating coat, setting coat on plasterboard and use of beads.
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K25: SP: Floating coat plaster hand application, consolidation, mechanical key and beading techniques
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K26: SP: Plain face render hand application and finishing techniques: plain face render coat and forming hard angles.
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K27: SP: Principles of machine application of plastering and rendering materials.
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K28: SP: Render base coat hand application techniques: render dubbing out, scratch coat and render bead application.
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K29: SP: Fixing techniques of plasterboards to backgrounds: direct bond with adhesive, mechanical fixing, reinforcement of joints, spanning joists and staggering.
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K30: SP: Methods of measuring, marking out and cutting plasterboard using hand tools.
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K31: SP: Principles of dry lining: application, joint reinforcement, jointing compound and finishing.
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K32: SP: Principles of levelling compound use and materials: sands, cement, ready mixed screeds, timber rail screed and self-levelling.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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K36: FP: Basic material estimation techniques for fibrous plastering.
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K37: FP: Mixing techniques for fibrous plastering and moulding applications: ratios, gauging and reinforcement.
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K38: FP: Defects and repair: fibrous Plaster defects and repair methods.
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K39: FP: Hand tools, types, use and storage techniques, for fibrous plastering.
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K40: FP: Setting and marking out techniques for fibrous plaster cornice application.
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K41: FP: Moulding production techniques.
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K42: FP: Mould Casting and release techniques to produce fibrous plaster components: reinforcements, firstings and seconds, application of materials, sealing and release agent application and component removal.
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K43: FP: Mechanical and direct bond securing and finishing techniques for fibrous plastering components.
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K44: FP: Methods of measuring, marking out and cutting fibrous plastering products to produce straight and 90 degree (mitred) joints and stops.
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K45: FP: Background surface preparation techniques for fibrous plastering component application: keying (mechanical bonding), clean surface, Expanded Metal Lath (EML), Rib lath, surface primers and sealers.
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K46: FP: Types and characteristics of materials, for fibrous moulding: timber, zinc, flexible moulds, cold pour compounds, release agents, grease, pre-mixed plasters, benches, running rules, busks, casting plaster, canvas, laths, sealants, shellac, retarders and adhesives.
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K47: FP: Production methods of positive and negative fibrous moulding: running mould, reverse moulds, flexible moulds, plain reverse mould, loose piece moulds, insertion mould, metal template, horsing up running mould, metal template stock, horse or slipper and brace.
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K48: FP: Types and characteristics of fibrous components: cornice, dados, skirtings, ceiling centres.
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K49: FP: Setting out techniques for fibrous plaster dados and ceiling centres.
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S1: Core: Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
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S2: Core: Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
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S3: Core: Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
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S4: Core: Use access equipment for example, hop ups, podiums or low-level scaffolding.
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S5: Core: Interpret information from drawings and specifications.
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S6: Core: Store materials considering date order for rotation of stock.
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S7: Core: Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
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S8: Core: Check, use and store power tools and equipment, escalate faults or defects.
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S9: Core: Move and handle materials and equipment manually and with lifting equipment.
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S10: Core: Protect finished work and the surrounding area.
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S11: Core: Verbally communicate with others, for example colleagues, other tradespeople, managers and customers.
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S12: Core: Applies team working principles to their own and the wider build team.
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S13: SP: Estimate quantities and select solid plastering and render materials.
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S14: SP: Select, use and store hand tools for solid plastering and rendering.
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S15: SP: Mix materials for solid plastering and render to ratio.
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S16: SP: Apply floating coat plaster to solid back grounds, including the formation of 90 degree angles with bead, consolidation and mechanical key application.
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S17: SP: Apply setting coat plaster to floating coat plasters, including forming 90 degree angles with bead.
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S18: SP: Apply setting coat plaster to plasterboard surfaces.
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S19: SP: Apply plain face render to scratch coat renders, including forming a hard angle.
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S20: SP: Apply scratch coat renders, including mechanical key, dobbing out coats and application of render beads.
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S21: SP: Prepare background surfaces to receive solid plasters, and renders, including the application of solid plastering and render primers and sealers.
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S22: SP: Measure, mark out and cut plasterboard to fit area and obstacles, using hand tools.
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S23: SP: Install plasterboard to timber surfaces and reinforce joints.
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S24: SP: Direct bond plasterboard to solid backgrounds, including sealing around obstacles.
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S25: SP: Carry out solid plaster repair: For example, replace plasterboard, patch plaster to solid background.
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S26: FP: Select, use and store hand tools for fibrous plastering applications.
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S27: FP: Estimate quantities and select fibrous plastering materials.
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S28: FP: Prepare and mix fibrous plaster materials, including reinforcement.
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S29: FP: Prepare and mark out background surfaces to receive fibrous plaster components.
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S30: FP: Construct moulds.
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S31: FP: Prepare bench and moulds for casting.
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S32: FP: Run mould and release casts.
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S33: FP: Measure and cut fibrous components to form straight and mitred cuts.
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S34: FP: Set and mark out for cornice installation.
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S35: FP: Fix cornice including straight runs, stops and 90 degree internal and external angles.
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S36: FP: Carry out fibrous plaster repair, for example, replacement or patching.
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S37: FP: Set out for fibrous plaster dados and ceiling centres.
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S38: FP: fix fibrous plaster dados and ceiling centres.
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B1: Put health, safety and wellbeing first.
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B2: Consider the environment and sustainability when using resources and carrying out processes.
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B3: Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture.
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B4: Seeks to maintain and enhance competence of self through continuous improvement.
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B5: Team-focus to meet team goals including, considering the wider team.
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