Repair and restore architectural masonry surfaces

URN: COSVR153
Business Sectors (Suites): Associated Industrial Services Occupations (Construction)
Developed by: CITB
Approved: 2026

Overview

This standard is about repairing and restoring various architectural masonry surfaces by recording surface conditions, repairing and restoring in-situ units and joints.

This standard will involve interpreting information, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, selecting and using materials, components, tools and equipment, minimising damage, and working within the allocated time, in accordance with organisational requirements and current statutory and legislative requirements

This standard is for people working in the occupational area of Associated Industrial Services and can be used by operatives, supervisors and managers


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1    Interpretation of information
interpret information relating to the work and resources to confirm its relevance for the following:
     •    drawings
     •    specifications
     •    schedules
     •    programmes 
     •    risk assessments
     •    COSHH assessments 
     •    method statements  
     •    manufacturers' information 
     •    British standards or codes of practice

P2    Safe work practices
comply with relevant legislation and approved codes of practice to carry out the work and maintain safe and healthy work practices relating to the following:
     •    methods of work
     •    safe use of health and safety control equipment
     •    safe use of access equipment
     •    safe use, storage and handling of materials, tools and equipment
     •    specific risks to health

P3    Selection of resources
select the required quantity and quality of the following resources allocated for the methods of work:
     •    materials
     •    operatives
     •    components and fixings
     •    tools and equipment

P4    Minimise the risk of damage
comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the architectural surfaces by: 
     •    protecting the work in-situ and its surrounding area
     •    protecting resources on site 
     •    maintaining a safe, clear and tidy work area
     •    installing controls to mitigate risks associated with equipment misuse
     •    disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation

P5    Approach to the work 
promote a safe, inclusive and productive working environment whilst working independently and with others

P6    Meet the contract specification 
comply with contract information to repair and restore architectural masonry surfaces to the required regulatory standards and specification by:
     •    demonstrating work skills to: 
            -    appraise and record the surface
            -    quantify the work
            -    prepare background
            -    assemble and dismantle materials or equipment
            -    measure 
            -    mark out 
            -    remove damaged or decayed materials
            -    repair damaged or decayed materials
            -    remove loose friable materials 
            -    cut
            -    fit 
            -    mix and gauge mortars 
            -    select, apply and use mortars 
            -    dress  
            -    position  
            -    secure and fix
            -    point
            -    protect
     •    using and maintaining hand and power tools, and equipment
     •    recording surface conditions 
     •    restoring in-situ units, architectural surfaces and joints to working instructions for one of the following flat, textured and moulded masonry materials: 
            -    natural stone
            -    composite stone 
            -    fired clay 
            -    cast concrete
     •    completing the work in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work and to meet the needs of others and the client


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

P1 Interpretation of information
K1    why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented

K2    types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:
     •    drawings 
     •    moulds and templates
     •    specifications 
     •    schedules
     •    programmes 
     •    risk assessments
     •    COSHH assessments 
     •    method statements 
     •    manufacturers' information
     •    current legislation and regulations governing buildings 
     •    British standards or codes of practice

K3 the importance of accurate information, and reporting and rectifying any concerns

K4 the range of relevant digital services, tools and systems, and how they are used

P2 Safe work practices
K5    information for relevant, current legislation and approved codes of practice and how it is applied

K6    how emergencies should be responded to in accordance with organisational authorisation and personal skills in relation to: 
     •    fires, spillages, injuries, rescue
     •    emergencies relating to occupational activities

K7    how to identify, report and work safely with occurrences of:
     •    asbestos containing materials
     •    lead containing materials
     •    silica
     •    hand arm vibration

K8    the organisational security procedures for tools, equipment and personal belongings in relation to:
     •    operatives
     •    site 
     •    workplace 
     •    vehicles
     •    company 
     •    client
     •    other occupations
     •    the general public

K9    how to report risks and hazards identified by the following: 
     •    methods of work
     •    risk assessment 
     •    personal assessment
     •    manufacturers' technical information 
     •    statutory regulations 
     •    approved codes of practice
     •    Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

K10    the accident reporting procedures

K11    why, when and how health and safety control equipment identified by the principles of prevention should be used in relation to:
     •    collective protective measures
     •    personal protective equipment (PPE)
     •    respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
     •    local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
     •    lifting operations and lifting equipment (LOLER)
     •    provision and use of work equipment (PUWER) 
K12    how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and approved codes of practices

K13    the organisational procedures when dealing with potential accidents, health hazards and the environmental impact on site, and whilst working:
     •    below ground level 
     •    in confined spaces 
     •    at height 
     •    with tools and equipment 
     •    with resources
     •    when moving and storing materials by manual handling and mechanical lifting

P3 Selection of resources
K14    why the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with the resources are important and how defects should be rectified

K15    the organisational procedures to select resources, why they have been developed and how they are used

K16    how to confirm the resources and materials conform with the specification

K17    how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:
     •    masonry components
     •    water
     •    cements 
     •    limes 
     •    aggregates 
     •    additives
     •    reinforcement 
     •    proprietary mortars 
     •    chemicals and resins
     •    protective materials
     •    personal protective equipment (PPE)
     •    respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
     •    dowels, fittings and fixings
     •    hand and power tools, and equipment
     •    access equipment
     •    digital equipment

K18    how to identify the hazards associated with the resources and methods of work and how they are overcome

K19    methods of calculating the quantity area and wastage associated with the method and procedure to restore architectural surfaces

P4 Minimise the risk of damage
K20    how to protect work and its surrounding area from damage and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, other occupations and adverse weather conditions

K21    how to minimise the damage to existing building fabric

K22    why and how the disposal of waste must be carried out safely in accordance with the following:
     •    environmental responsibilities 
     •    organisational procedures 
     •    manufacturers' information 
     •    statutory regulations 
     •    official guidance
K23    why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work area

P5 Approach to the work
K24    the importance of teamwork and communication

K25    the importance of mental health awareness and wellbeing

K26    the importance of applying fairness, inclusion and respect when dealing with others

K27    the needs of other occupations associated with restoring masonry façades

P6 Meet the contract specification
K28    how to record surface condition of an architectural masonry surface

K29    how to prepare and restore flat, textured and moulded masonry to any of the following:
     •    natural stone 
     •    composite stone 
     •    fired clay
     •    cast concrete

K30    how to select and apply temporary protection

K31    how to remove damaged and decayed materials

K32    how to repair damaged and decayed materials

K33    how to remove loose friable materials

K34    how to position and fix materials

K35    how to prepare replacement materials

K36    how to prepare and point masonry joints

K37    how to gauge and mix mortars

K38    how to select and apply mortars

K39    how to prepare and use bonding agents

K40    how to protect and cure applied mortars

K41    how to provide information for future maintenance or Building Information Modelling (BIM)

K42    how to recognise and determine when specialist skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly

K43    the importance of recognising the limits of your own authority

K44    the relevance of an assessment of significance or planning consents

K45    how to recognise specific requirements for structures of special interest, traditional construction, complex or hard-to-treat buildings and historical significance

K46    how to identify and follow the quality requirements

K47    how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and machinery

K48    how to direct and guide the operations and movement of plant and machinery within the work area

K49    how to use relevant hand and power tools and equipment

K50    how to work at height using access equipment and have an awareness of working below ground level, in confined spaces

K51    how and why operative care and maintenance of relevant hand and power tools and equipment is carried out

K52    why the programme of work is to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time to the contract specification

K53    the types of progress charts, timetables and estimated times and the organisational procedures for reporting circumstances which will affect the work programme


Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

4

Indicative Review Date

2031

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

CITB

Original URN

COSVR153

Relevant Occupations

Industrial Cleaning Process Occupations

SOC Code


Keywords

Pointing-masonry; Restoring textured natural-stone; natural stone; composite stone; fired clay; cast concrete; brick; restore; architectural surfaces; repair;