Cement masons, concrete finishers and terrazzo workers are all trained professionals who work with concrete, which is a mixture of Portland cement, gravel, sand and water. Once these ingredients are mixed together, they become one of the most durable materials currently used in construction. Concrete is used for everything from the creation of decorative residential patios to the construction of highways and dams.
The responsibilities of a cement mason and concrete finisher involve the placement and finishing of concrete. They prepare a construction site for the placement of the concrete and set the forms that will be used to hold the concrete until it dries. Once the concrete is poured, these professionals use a straightedge and move the mixture back and forth across the top of the form in order to level the concrete properly. After leveling the concrete, these workers smooth the surface with a tool called a bull float.
While this may all sound like simple manual labor, the job is more complex than most realize. These professionals must possess an in-depth understanding of how concrete works and they must monitor how the weather, wind, heat and cold may affect the curing of the concrete. This helps the concrete workers prevent defects from occurring to the concrete as it dries and sets.
Like concrete finishers and cement masons, terrazzo workers work with concrete materials, but these individuals create decorative walkways, floors, panels and patios. They do this by adding marble chips and other decorative stones to the finished surface of the concrete. While the preliminary work performed by these workers is similar to that of the concrete finishers and cement masons, the end work is a bit more intense and the end results are much more aesthetic in nature.
While cement masons, concrete finishers and terrazzo workers do not face as many dangers as some of the other professionals in the construction industry, the job is not without its hazards. The biggest hazard to these professionals is that of knee injury due to the constant kneeling required on the job. Many of these individuals choose to wear knee pads in the course of their work, but over time knee injuries commonly occur. Cement masons, concrete finishers and terrazzo workers may also face other hazards and risks depending on the environments they are working in. If these individuals become disabled and are no longer able to perform their job duties, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Working with a Disability as a Cement Mason, Concrete Finisher or Terrazzo Worker
Some of the cement masons, concrete finishers and terrazzo workers who are unable to continue in their current occupation due to a disabling conditions may be interested in seeking employment in another line of work. Depending on the nature of the disability and the individuals' work experience, he or she may be able to continue employment in the same industry but in a different position. For example, some of these professionals may be able to obtain management jobs that require the supervision of other workers but no real physical work on their part. Others may be able to obtain administrative jobs that involve the creation of estimates and invoices, but have no real physical demands.
There are situations, however, when a cement mason, concrete finisher and terrazzo worker will be unable to perform any type of work due to the extent of their disabling condition. In these cases, the disabled worker should apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as possible.
Applying for Social Security Disability as a Cement Mason, Concrete Finisher or Terrazzo Worker
When a cement maker, concrete finisher or terrazzo worker face a disability that prevents them from performing any type of work activity, Social Security Disability benefits may be in order. It is important to understand, however, that an approval of your disability claim is not guaranteed even if your disability prevents you from continuing work in your current occupation.
There are a number of factors that will be taken into consideration when your Social Security Disability application is being processed. Your age, education, work skills and work history will be evaluated in addition to your disability. All of these factors are taken into account when the SSA is deciding whether or not to approve your Social Security Disability claim. The reason for this is because the SSA is not interested in whether or not you can continue work in your current occupation. They need to determine whether or not you are able to perform any type of substantial gainful work activity at all.
For example, an injury to your knees may prevent you from performing work as a cement mason. However, that same injury would not prevent you from working as an inside sales representative. When reviewing your claim, the SSA will determine whether or not it is feasible for you to obtain the training and education needed to transition into a different position. If the adjudicator who is reviewing your Social Security Disability claim determines that there are other types of work that you could perform in the national economy, your application for Social Security Disability benefits is likely to be denied.
Because the Social Security Administration cannot possibly understand exactly how your disability affects your quality of life and your day-to-day activities, it may be hard to qualify for disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process. Because of this, you will likely need to pursue the disability appeal process. This is why it is important that you hire a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate to represent you in your disability claim. These professionals understand what the Social Security Administration looks for in a disability claim and how the Social Security Disability laws affect your particular disability case.
