Concrete workers understand that while concrete is used everywhere, from private homes to modern roadways, the material itself creates many hazards.
More than 250,000 people work in concrete manufacturing. Out of these workers, over 28,000 people are injured every year, which equals a little over 10%. Having a checklist to follow can help you and the people you work with eliminate the guesswork from staying protected on site. In turn, allowing you to finish the job quickly, efficiently, and (most importantly) safely.
We recommend you pay close attention to personal protection equipment (PPE) best suited for concrete dust and wet concrete. Here is a little more insight into these areas:
Concrete dust has causes harm to three major areas: the eyes, skin, and lungs. A good safety checklist protects all three.
The eyes need to be protected from any kind of abrasive dust, but especially concrete, which can cause burns if left unwashed.
While momentary exposure to dry concrete dust doesn’t typically cause harm to healthy, unbroken skin, it is abrasive and can further irritate any cuts, scrapes, or rashes. There is a small amount of chromium in cement, which can cause some people who regularly work with concrete to develop an allergy. This allergy can range from a mild rash to severe ulcers, and worsen over time.
The worst risk related to getting concrete dust on the skin is that the concrete dust will mix with sweat or other moisture on the body to become wet concrete.
Concrete dust contains silica. Inhaling a small amount of silica causes irritation to the nose, mouth, and throat, as well as causes difficulty breathing. Inhaling large amounts of silica (or even small amounts repeatedly over a period of years) can lead to silicosis, a disease that causes scarring in the lungs. Some cement workers also develop a respiratory allergy to chromium found in cement, leading to occupational asthma and sometimes lung cancer.
When concrete becomes wet, it transforms from mildly irritating into a highly alkaline material that can burn through flesh in a matter of hours.
When wet concrete touches healthy skin for a brief moment and then washed off, there is typically no reaction. Serious burns tend to occur when concrete is trapped against the skin for a longer period of time, often underneath clothing. Ironically enough, many concrete burns occur when an individual is actually wearing protective gear, but the gear is not appropriate for the job, worn out, or worn incorrectly.
MCR Safety’s Grippaz disposable gloves are tough gloves and excellent for keeping wet concrete off your hands!
The UT38JH is knee pad compatible, an excellent addition for construction and concrete workers kneeling down!
While concrete burns may take hours to develop on most exposed skin, the eyes are extremely sensitive. Serious damage can occur in a very short amount of time.
While individual safety is one thing, ensuring the safety of an entire crew is another. OSHA has many helpful checklists, but here are some key things to look out for:
Taking the time to go through and make sure you have the right equipment, the right knowledge, and the right people increases the chances you will never have to deal with serious illness or concrete-related injuries. Rushing through safety checks and trainings might save a few minutes here and there, but this can lead to lost time and productivity in the long run, as well as damaging your reputation as a responsible provider of concrete services.
Be sure to check out our concrete section where we breakdown the PPE workers need when facing a multitude of concrete hazards.
If you are looking to up your safety game with top-quality protective gear, you have come to the right place. MCR Safety has 45 years of experience in the industry, and always keeps up on the latest safety standards. Ready to get started with serious personal protection equipment for you and your people? Let’s talk. For more information, browse our website, request a catalog, find a distributor, or give us a call at 800-955-6887.
We offer many different glove options for construction, as the needs vary widely across the industry. Learn which glove materials offer the best protection for your specific application.
A guidebook for selecting the best quality safety gear for working with concrete.