Cement safety on-site prevent workers from cement hazards. Cement is a major cause of skin irritation in a construction site.
Consequently, the employees, especially the masons and those handling cement are at major risks.
Cement serves as an ingredient in the following materials.
- Plaster
- Mortar.
- Terrazo
- Grout.
Effects of cement on the body.
- Skin irritation.
- Skin burn
- Inflammation of the eyelids.
- It can lead to dermatitis.
Work situations that give rise to cement harm.
- Excessive sweating from workers handling cement on-site can increase its hazardous effect. Wet-cement is caustic and abrasive. It can damage the skin very fast.
- When opening cement bags exposes workers to cement dust. And can cause eye redness and irritation depending on the level of exposure.
- Kneeling on fresh concrete exposes the knee to cement and can cause damage to the knee.
- Different cement activities on-site can expose the worker to the risk of cement hazards. For example, pouring and mixing concrete.
- More so, dry cement is less hazardous than wet cement. Cement can cause respiratory allergy over a prolonged length of time.
- Good personal hygiene and cleanliness are needed to control the effect of this hazard.
Cement safety: How can you promote cement safety today?
- Maintain proper personal hygiene at all times.
- Ensure you have a good shower after work.
- Wash and keep all your work cloth very neat.
- Educate workers on the cement hazards and how to control them.
- The cement safety data sheet has to be in visible places on site.
- Workers must wear personal protective equipment for the cement handling e.g respirator, safety google, etc.
- Report all cases of dermatitis among the worker and seek medical help immediately. Above all, the worker can only resume work until the situation improves.
- Change all work clothes soaked with wet cement to new cloth.
- Ensure you take all necessary precautions to protect yourself against cement hazards.
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