Working With Concrete? 5 Tips To Ensure Your Safety

concrete-safety-tips

The construction industry is indeed a bit hazardous, especially for construction workers. It is mandatory for them to acknowledge their own set of safety concerns. All the industry set standards and regulations should be put in place to ensure the safety of the professionals working on job sites. If you are working with concrete, not only should you approach renowned concrete suppliers in Surrey but also follow a few tips to ensure your safety.

concrete safety tips

Few Tips To Ensure Your Safety When Working With Concrete In Surrey

·   Keep Your Skin Protected

Concrete burns are one of the most common threats people in the construction industry have to face. The caustic and abrasive texture of concrete can lead to severe irritation and burn your skin. The danger of concrete burns is more if you are using fresh concrete. It is mandatory for construction workers to always keep their skin covered. Long sleeve shirts, protective eyewear, gloves and long pants are vital components of their uniform. Wash off your skin immediately if they come in contact with fresh concrete.

·   Use Safe Tools

The tools used by construction workers when working with concrete can also pose safety hazards. This is why they should know how to handle them safely, operate properly and store them appropriately. They should wear hard hats and use the latest tools using proper grips and techniques. The construction workers should also communicate with the machine operators regarding the clearance and movement of the machinery.

·   Stay Aware Of Silica

If you are willing to stay away from construction hazards, be aware of silica. Ensuring silica safety is a must when using concrete. Construction workers should avoid getting exposed to crystalline silica as it is considered to be a carcinogen. Crystalline silica can lead to severe lung diseases like lung cancer. OSHA has made medical surveillance of workers mandatory to ensure that they are not being exposed to more than 50 micrograms of silica dust per cubic meter of air.

·   Look Before You Step

New concrete can also lead to tripping hazards in a wide variety of ways. Misplaced tools, rebar and uneven ground can make construction workers trip and fall, thus injuring themselves. All walking paths should be clear. Workers should watch their steps while walking. The easiest way to keep their feet protected is by wearing rubber boots which helps in creating more traction.

·   Lift Safely

Workers have to often lift and move heavy objects on construction sites. They should move objects using safe lifting techniques. If they feel that some object is too heavy, they should be ready to work in teams and pairs. Workers should determine the right amount of fresh concrete to be loaded in the shovel so that they can lift it with confidence. Lifting injuries generally happen when they twist their back accidentally while lifting heavy objects.

Time to follow the tips stated above and ensuring your safety when working with concrete will become easier.

How To Use Ready Mix Concrete For Your Project During Winter?

ready-mix-concrete

Do you have a construction project coming up this winter season? But, with the cold weather outside making things more complicated, are you perplexed about what to do? Well, even though the cold season isn’t ideal for concrete, you can turn things in your favour. Are you wondering how? Well, all you need to do is approach the best suppliers of ready mix concrete in Croydon. Trust us; they can protect your concrete from the damage of cold weather.

How To Use Ready Mix Concrete

Pouring concrete in winter season is inevitable for contractors who have to work in colder climates. The material loses its durability, weather resistance and comprehensive strength if it freezes during the pouring and setting process. And, only the concrete suppliers and contactors protect the material from the damage of cold weather. This means that if your project requires pouring concrete during the winter months, you need to approach the experts.

The Winter Mix

As the weather gets colder, concrete suppliers will heat the material during the mixing process. The extra heat accounts for the expected drop in temperature during an average one-hour delivery in the winter season. This heat will prevent concrete from cracking, freezing and losing its comprehensive strength in the cold climate. Leading suppliers of ready mix concrete in Croydon also provide customers with the warmest possible on-site concrete.

Even the concrete mix matters to the overall project. Depending on the outside temperature and your project requirements, the suppliers will adjust the mix. This will help in pouring the concrete well and setting quickly in the winter weather.

Addition Of The Accelerators

Adding accelerators to the mix speeds up the concrete setting time as well as allow it to cure faster. Also, this prevents the concrete from freezing and experiencing any frost damage. Moreover, accelerators help in speeding up the finishing phase. The less time it takes for project completion, the better the quality of the finished product.

Water-Reducing Additives

Water-reducing additives create a higher-density paste of cement. This results in more weather-resistant and stronger qualities in the concrete.

Avoiding Fly Ash

Do you plan to expose the cement to de-icing chemicals once it cures? If so, you will want to reduce or avoid the amount of fly ash that’s added to the mix. This is because; fly ash can lead to scaling or peeling of the surface when exposed to de-icing chemicals.

Pouring Concrete In Cold Weather

Even though winter isn’t the ideal time to pour concrete, it’s possible to pour the concrete well enough. By taking just a few steps, concreting can result in a long-lasting, strong product in the cold season. To protect your poured material from damages, you need to remember certain rules. These include-

·         Never pour concrete on ice, snow or frozen ground

·         All protrusions and corners must be triple wrapped

·         In case the ground is frozen, thaw it for two days by using blankets and heat pipes

·         Cover the material until it cures completely So what are you still thinking of? Approach a reliable concrete supplier and get started with your construction project!