Concrete & Masonry Safety
Wet concrete is traveling down a concrete truck chute for placement.
Date Posted: 05/11/2024
Concrete is a common building material used regularly in the construction industry. Concrete is generally made by combining cement, sand, aggregate (small stones), and water. Some applications of concrete necessitate adding other materials that could adversely affect health if improperly handled or appropriate precautions are not taken. Additions may include alkaline compounds (such as lime) that are corrosive to human tissue. Crystalline silica can be abrasive to the skin and cause lung damage, and small quantities of chromium can cause allergic reactions. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 250,000 people work in concrete or masonry trades. Over 10 percent of those workers (28,000) experienced a job-related injury or illness, and 42 died in just a year.
Hazards Working with Concrete
Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation from exposure to cement dust.
Inadequate safety guards on equipment.
Ergonomic risk (overexertion and awkward postures).
Slips, trips, and falls.
Chemical burns from wet or dry concrete.
Confined spaces
Noise exposure
Different Phases of Working with Concrete Present Different Risks
Forming risks: Concrete forming is the process of creating solid frames to hold the concrete in place as it sets after being poured. Most concrete projects require forms before you even order or mix the concrete. You need to use structurally sound forms to hold the concrete in place and avoid collapse. Risks during this stage include:
Workers falling during steel fixing (tying rebar) and the erection of formwork.
Collapse of the formwork.
Materials falling during the striking of formwork.
Silica dust exposure.
Manual handling of materials such as formwork, reinforcing bars (rebar), etc.
Skin irritation.
Mixing risks: Cement dust released during bag dumping or concrete cutting can irritate the skin. Moisture from sweat or wet clothing reacts with the cement dust to form a caustic solution. Exposure to cement dust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. Infections and illnesses include silicosis, a progressive lung disease. Exposure can occur while sanding, grinding, or cutting concrete, working in discharge areas, dust collection systems, and storage areas. Workers should eat and drink in areas that are free of cement dust.
Placement risks: Concrete is slippery when wet. If the wet mixture gets on a worker’s boots or the ground, it can create a slip hazard. Additionally, the alkaline properties of wet cement can be caustic to the skin and cause burns. Hazards during this stage include the following:
Falls from unstable or unsupported surfaces. Stepping on forms and tied rebar that may not support a worker’s weight.
Pinch points.
Struck by vehicles or vehicle components (e.g., pump truck or truck hose)
Impalement from unprotected rebar or other impalement hazards.
Rebar is shown with orange protective caps installed to prevent abrasion and impalement.
Note: In accordance with WAC 296-155-680 and WAC 296-880-10010, all reinforcing steel that presents an impalement hazard must be guarded.
Finishing risks: Concrete finishing is a process that strives to create a smooth, durable surface. When finishing concrete, timing is crucial, and close attention should be given to the condition of the concrete during this process. Risks during this stage include the following:
Overhead electrical hazards. Take caution when working with a float. Some handles are over 20 feet long.
Workers must have access to and understand safety data sheets prior to performing work that presents a chemical hazard.
If dried concrete is handled and dust is created, there could be a silica hazard. This can happen during cutting concrete without water to control the dust, cleaning outlines using an air hose, or dry sweeping.
A crew is working on placing concrete.
How to Work Safely with Concrete
Protect your eyes: Keep cement, flying particles, dust, and any other airborne hazard from your eyes. Wearing protective safety goggles when pouring or working with wet concrete. If wet concrete gets in your eyes, it can cause serious burns. In some cases, it may even cause permanent vision loss.
Protect your back: All materials used to make concrete cement, coarse aggregate, sand, and water—are heavy, even in small quantities. Many concrete-related injuries are the result of poor lifting practices. When lifting heavy materials, your back should be straight, your legs bent, and the weight between your legs as close to the body as possible. Do not twist at the waist while lifting or carrying these items.
Protect your skin: Contact with wet or unhardened concrete mortar cement or cement mixtures can cause skin irritation, severe chemical burns, or serious eye damage. Wear alkali-resistant gloves to protect the hands and arms when pouring or working with wet concrete. Wash wet concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures from your skin immediately. Additionally, wear long-sleeved clothing, including a shirt and pants, when pouring wet concrete. While gloves will protect your hands from concrete-related burns, they won't protect your arms or legs.
Protect your respiratory system: If dust exposure assessments warrant respiratory protection, filtering facepiece respirators may be required.
Resources
WAC 296-155-675 - Concrete, Concrete Forms, Shoring, and Masonry Construction
Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidance document- Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) –A Guide to Working Safely with Silica
