Concrete is one of the most commonly used building materials. Both incredibly strong and highly versatile, it is ideal for a host of purposes and applications and creates a smooth yet durable surface that will last reliably for years to come.
Whether you’re using concrete for domestic DIY projects or commercial building developments, concrete can be used to create roads, bridges, patios, garden walls, floors and foundations – just to name a few – and comes in a variety of grades and strengths to suit your specific requirements.
However, regardless of the benefits, when you are working with concrete there are a number of health and safety considerations that need to be made to keep the operative from harm.
When working with concrete, the two basic health concerns are cement dermatitis and respiratory exposure to silica. As such, most adverse health effects which arise from handling concrete are, more than often, caused by exposure through skin contact, eye contact or inhalation. In addition, moving and transporting can cause physical injuries if not done so correctly. Therefore, there are number of things you must implement to keep yourself safe at all times…
Always wear protective clothing
Getting cement dust or wet concrete on your skin can cause burns, rashes and skin irritations. Similarly, getting it in your eyes can cause issues ranging from redness and irritation to vision-threatening chemical burns. Therefore, when working with concrete, it is important to always wear protective clothing.
This includes making sure you wear alkali resistant gloves, long sleeves and full length trousers, safety glasses or, in particularly dusty environments, goggles and waterproof boots. Additionally, if dust can’t be avoided, respiratory protection should be worn.
Transporting and moving concrete
Mixed concrete is incredibly heavy and using wheelbarrows can cause physical strain, as well as injury due to trips or falls. If you have to use wheelbarrows, make sure all pathways are unobstructed and ensure you are using recommended lifting techniques.
The best way to avoid safety concerns when transporting or moving concrete, however, is to use volumetric mixing trucks, as these mobile vehicles mix on-site and feature concrete pumps to deliver the concrete directly.
Working with concrete
While you are working with concrete, you should take care to prevent any of the building material from getting inside your boots, gloves, goggles or clothing. Then, once the work has been completed, all protective clothing should be thoroughly washed.
If, for any reason, concrete or cement makes contact with your skin, wash it off with clean water as soon as possible. If it gets in to your eyes, wash them out and seek medical assistance immediately.
The best way to keep safe while working with concrete is to hire a professional concrete supplier. We offer a range of high quality, superior strength concrete here at EasyMix and can bring it directly to your home or site in our volumetric mixing trucks, reducing any waste, mess or fuss. Simply give us a call today for more information.