Anyone working near large concrete slabs must know that their lives are in constant danger. This applies to concrete subcontractors, their teams doing construction jobs, and those spending considerable time around concrete structures. You should follow some precautions to ensure your safety.
Provided below are a few concrete safety precautions that you may use to safeguard yourself and others when working with concrete.
Use the Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE for concrete construction often consists of protective equipment for the eyes, skin, lungs, and back, which are vulnerable to injury. Always use the appropriate PPE when working with concrete:
Boots and gloves: Boots and gloves prevent skin irritation and chemical burns caused by the chemicals in concrete cement. Boots and gloves resistant to alkalis are appropriate for repelling these caustic substances.
Safety glasses: Safety glasses prevent chemical and concrete dust from irritating the eyes. For optimal safety, wear goggles impervious to shattering and can endure hefty blows.
Face protection: Face protection assists in preventing lung problems caused by inhalation of concrete dust. Silicosis, for example, can develop when people doing construction jobs inhale considerable quantities of crystalline silica dust over several years.
Full-length pants and shirts: Your entire body should be covered to limit the danger of skin irritation and concrete burns. Full-length clothing protects the skin from chemical exposure.
Use the Appropriate Tools
According to construction experts from Kilgore Companies, you should use equipment made particularly for dusty work settings to limit the quantity of respirable concrete dust in the air.
Use exhaust-ventilated equipment, such as hand-held cutting saws and concrete hammer drills to eliminate dust at its source whenever practical. You may also deploy water-supplied instruments to assist control dust and decrease inhalation.
Use Appropriate Techniques
If you can’t utilize particular tools to manage concrete dust, you can employ larger-scale solutions. If you cannot sufficiently ventilate dust at its source, you may need to ventilate the whole workstation to prevent dust inhalation.
Have Washing Facilities Available
Last, Every place where concrete is mixed or poured should have adequate eyewash facilities. Those doing construction jobs may promptly wipe their eyes if concrete dust or debris enters them.