Ways to work safely with concrete

Although concrete is a relatively safe building material, it does offer some safety hazards that must be addressed to protect worker health.

The Portland Cement Association reports that by observing a few basic precautions, it is one of the safest building materials known. It has developed some guidelines that can help workers stay healthy around this versatile building material.

Over the years, relatively few people involved in mixing, handling, and finishing concrete have experienced injury and if workers follow these simple suggestions for protection, prevention, and commonsense precautions, chances of injury are further reduced for anyone working with portland cement and concrete.

Mark the job
The jobsite should be adequately marked to warn the public of construction activities. Fences, barricades and warning signs can be used to restrict public access. The work area should be kept clean and uncluttered to minimize hazards to workers.

Protect your head and eyes
Construction equipment and tools present constant hazards to busy construction workers. That’s why some sort of head protection, such as a hard hat or safety hat, should be worn when working any construction job, large or small.

Proper eye protection is essential when working with cement or concrete. Eyes are particularly vulnerable to blowing dust, splattering concrete and other foreign objects. On some jobs, it may be advisable to wear full-cover goggles or safety glasses with side shields. Your sight is precious, so protect your head and eyes with proper safety equipment and by remaining alert.

Protect your back
All materials used to make concrete — portland cement, coarse aggregate, sand, and water  — can be heavy, even in small quantities.

When lifting heavy materials, your back should be straight, legs bent, and the weight of the item being lifted as close to the body as possible. Do not twist at the waist while lifting or carrying items. Rather than straining your back with a heavy load, get help.

Let mechanical equipment work to your advantage by placing concrete as close as possible to its final position. After the concrete is deposited in the desired area by chute, pump or wheelbarrow, it should be pushed — not lifted — into final position with a shovel.

A short-handled, square-end shovel is an effective tool for spreading concrete, but special concrete rakes or come-alongs can also be used. Excessive horizontal movement of the concrete requires extra effort, and can lead to segregation of the poured concrete.

Avoid actions that cause dust to become airborne. Local or general ventilation can control exposures below applicable exposure limits; respirators may be needed in poorly ventilated areas where exposure limits are exceeded or when dust causes discomfort or irritation. Avoid prolonged exposure to dust.

Protect your skin
When working with fresh concrete, care should be taken to avoid skin irritation or chemical burns.

Prolonged contact between fresh concrete and skin surfaces, eyes and clothing may result in severe, third-degree burns. If irritation persists, consult a physician. For deep burns or large skin areas affected by concrete exposure, seek medical attention immediately.

Fresh concrete is abrasive to the skin. Basic and portland cement is alkaline in nature, which can irritate skin; caustic concrete and other cement mixtures are strongly basic (pH of 12 to 13). Strong bases, like strong acids, are harmful, or caustic to skin.

Drying portland cement is hygroscopic which means it absorbs water. It’s a key part of the curing process. To cure, it will draw water away from any material it contacts, including your skin.

Clothing worn as protection from fresh concrete should not become saturated with moisture from fresh concrete. The saturated clothing has alkaline properties which can irritate the skin or even pull moisture from the skin.

Workers working closely with the concrete pour should wear waterproof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. If you must stand in fresh concrete while working it, wear rubber boots high enough to prevent concrete from pouring in them.

The best way to avoid skin irritation is to wash with pH-neutral soap and clean water frequently.

Placing and finishing
Waterproof pads should be used between fresh concrete surfaces and knees, elbows and hands to protect the body during finishing operations. Eyes and skin that come in contact with fresh concrete should be flushed thoroughly with clean water. Clothing that becomes saturated from contact with fresh concrete should be rinsed out promptly with clear water to prevent continued contact with skin surfaces. For persistent or severe discomfort, consult a physician.

When working with fresh concrete, begin each day by wearing clean clothing and finish the day with a bath or shower.

The Portland Cement Association covers this safety information in its publication, “Working Safely With Concrete”, publication no. MS271. It is for sale as a handout to workers. Contact them at 847-966-6200; fax 847-966-8389 or contact the association at info@cement.org.

 

Additional Information For a complete listing of publications, videotapes and more information on concrete safety for contractors, contact the American Society for Concrete Construction (ASCC) at 800-877-2753, or 38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3411.  Two useful publications it offers: • ASCC Safety Manual, an extensive safety guide for concrete contractors • ASCC Employee Safety Handbook For more information on cement, consult the manufacturer's material safety data sheet.

Published in the January/February 2004 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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