Concrete is composed of cement, sand, aggregate (sized stones), and water. When mixed in the correct amounts, concrete is a stable and versatile building medium that you can use in a variety of applications, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.
The versatility in building application is accomplished by:
- Altering the proportions of air and other variables in the mixture.
- Adding strengthening materials, such as r’ebar, fiberglass strands and plastic rods.
FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING WITH CONCRETE:
- Concrete is extremely heavy, so use caution. Be careful to avoid back, shoulder or other muscle strains.
- Don’t overexert yourself when mixing or moving concrete, especially when using a wheelbarrow, shovel or trough.
- Keep yourself physically fit.
- Perform stretching exercises to aid in injury prevention.
- Concrete vibrators can splash concrete back into your eyes. Lime and cement dust can be very irritating to the eyes.
- Always wear safety glasses when mixing or pouring concrete.
- Rinse eyes for 15 minutes if lime or cement dust enter your eyes.
- Seek medical attention if eyes are still irritated.
- Cement can cause irritation when it comes in contact with skin. Lime burns are common in the industry.
- Wear gloves, rubber boots and a long sleeve shirt when working with concrete.
- Protect hands and forearms from industrial dermatitis by using barrier creams or gloves.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on concrete additives, acids for etching, form release oils, or other chemicals used in conjunction with concrete. Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for a list of these chemicals.
- Never allow employees to ride concrete buckets.
- Never work under concrete buckets while the buckets are traveling, being elevated or lowered into position. Have your employees route elevated concrete buckets so they aren’t exposed to the hazards associated with falling concrete buckets.
BE SAFE ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN WORKING WITH CONCRETE
