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What you need in place to work safely and legally
Some trades require formal authorization before you can perform certain work – this applies e.g. in electrical and plumbing. Stucco work is not a regulated trade in the same way. This does not mean you can just go ahead: the trade is full of rules designed to keep you and your colleagues safe, and tasks that require special certificates.
When you work on construction sites and in heights there are a number of courses and certificates that are often a prerequisite for performing the work. Several of them are things you may come to know during your training.
A large part of stucco work takes place in older buildings such as churches, castles, manor houses and old villas. Many of these buildings are listed or of conservation value, which means special considerations and rules apply. You cannot simply change or remove original details — often you need to obtain permissions, and the work must be carried out so that the building's historical character is preserved.
As a stucco worker you therefore often work closely with architects conservators and authorities responsible for caring for cultural heritage. It is part of the trade's distinctive feature that you must be able to respect both the craft and the history embedded in the building.
As on all construction sites labour law also applies to stucco workers. This means requirements for for example correct use of protective equipment safe handling of materials and proper setup of the workplace. Your employer has a duty to ensure a safe work environment but you also have a responsibility to follow the rules and use the equipment you are provided.
Plasterer is not an authorized trade, but it is a trade with responsibility. You must know the safety rules, have the right certificates for your tasks and understand the special considerations that apply when working in older and protected buildings.