Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters

Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

The occupation "Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters" has an automation risk of 23.1%, which is very close to its calculated base risk of 23.3%. This relatively low probability compared to other manual labor occupations can be attributed to the complexity and variability of the work involved. The job requires a combination of physical dexterity, judgment, and adaptability, which current automation technologies struggle to fully replicate. While some elements of the helper's role involve repetitive or structured tasks, much of the work environment is unpredictable, with each project often presenting unique materials, spatial layouts, and job-site challenges. As a result, the automation risk remains moderate rather than high, reflecting both the strengths and limitations of current artificial intelligence and robotics in this field. Among the most automatable tasks are those that are repetitive, predictable, and can be mechanized with existing technologies. For instance, "Mix mortar, plaster, and grout, manually or using machines, according to standard formulas" is a task that can be accomplished by automated mixing machines and dispensers. Similarly, "Erect scaffolding or other installation structures" can be partially automated using robotic systems, especially for standard scaffolding types in controlled environments. The task of "Cut materials to specified sizes for installation, using power saws or tile cutters" is amenable to machine automation since robotic cutters and programmable tools can reliably follow precise measurements. These examples reflect tasks where standardization and physical automation present practical advantages. However, several key tasks are notably resistant to automation, mainly due to their demand for situational judgment, manual precision, and adaptability. For example, "Correct surface imperfections or fill chipped, cracked, or broken bricks or tiles, using fillers, adhesives, or grouting materials" requires nuanced evaluation and careful manipulation that robots struggle to replicate. "Remove damaged tile, brick, or mortar, and clean or prepare surfaces, using pliers, hammers, chisels, drills, wire brushes, or metal wire anchors" is another task where the variability of damage, required force, and the positioning of surfaces make automation challenging. Similarly, "Apply caulk, sealants, or other agents to installed surfaces" demands a steady hand and real-time adjustments for irregularities. Bottleneck skills such as originality, with measured importance at 2.0% and 1.8%, further limit automation, as these tasks often require creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt to nonstandard situations—capabilities where human workers currently excel over most automated systems.