Concrete cutting is a crucial part of construction and renovation projects as it helps shape the structure to its final form. It is a job that should be done by professionals to ensure proper handling of equipment and careful maneuvers to ensure precise cuts.
However, concrete cutting is a job that comes with many risks. Improper handling of equipment and lack of training could lead to accidents which can endanger the workers, lead to bigger costs and delay the project.
Concrete cutters, therefore, need to follow safety procedures to prevent accidents on the job site. These safety procedures must be followed by everyone from employers, crew, to self-employed concrete cutters, and spans from using protective gear and equipment to the maintenance of each one.
Here are the basic safety procedures for concrete cutting:
Use of protective clothing
Concrete cutting comes with various risks to cutters, this is why having the right protective clothing and equipment is important to ensure safety. Due to the changing seasons and differences in construction sites, materials, and equipment needed for the job, personal protective clothing for workers must be chosen accordingly.
On sunny days where concrete cutting must be done under the heat of the sun, using sun protective clothing is recommended. Brim hats, sunglasses, long sleeve shirts, and trousers are recommended to prevent skin damage as much as possible.
On the other hand, layered clothing, along with waterproof gears and heavy boots are recommended for concrete work during the colder months. Using gloves to prevent crush injuries and cuts is also important. It will also help keep the fingers warm which is essential to prevent Raynaud’s Phenomenon.
These protective clothing must be used along with standard protective gear such as a safety helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, boots, and sun protection. All protective gear and clothing must also be comfortable and easy to move around in so as not to hamper the concrete cutters’ movements in the construction site.
No protective gear should also have a loose string or piece of thread that could get tangled to construction equipment. This will ensure easy movements on the site and prevent any potential accidents.
Staff training and demonstrations
All employers and self-employed individuals must put everyone’s safety on top of everything else on their priority list when working on a project. This is why the staff must receive proper training and get demonstrations for proper handling of equipment as well as education on workplace health and safety.
The staff must be given complete training on how to properly use and maneuver various types of equipment for concrete cutting. This should include movement and precision among many other elements to ensure that they can competently and safely perform cutting tasks.
Apart from handling the equipment, it’s also important for the staff to recognize challenging work environments. These work environments are usually those with limited space and poor ventilation. Therefore, each member of the staff must be well-equipped and properly taught how to improve these work areas to make concrete cutting easier.
They must be given sufficient information on fire hazards, and how to check and manage the dust and air quality in their work areas. Emergency and first aid training will also help in keeping them safe during emergencies.
The importance of proper grooming must also be shared by employers and staff. While long hair and beards are acceptable for concrete cutters, they must be tied up and pulled back while on the job so as not to distract them while working.
Concrete cutters must know which types of protective gear to wear and when. They must know how to properly use and care for these gears to ensure longevity and total protection. Proper knowledge will help ensure concrete cutters’ safety and avoid accidents.
Equipment for hire’s safety information to customers
Concrete cutters must be able to provide their clients with all the safety information needed. This is to ensure that the equipment to be used in the project are all in perfect condition and that the team can do the job effectively.
Companies hired for concrete cutting must be able to conduct safety demonstrations of the equipment. They should also be able to give a full and clear explanation as to what the equipment was designed for and how they’re tested.
Apart from that, concrete cutters must also explain how the equipment should NOT be handled. Site and equipment hazards must also be discussed to ensure that everyone is aware of the risks and know how to avoid them.
Finally, there should also be transparency on relevant documents such as tests, inspections and checks and other records certifying that all equipment is in excellent condition. Safety training of protective equipment must also be conducted to ensure the safety of both clients and workers on site.
Keeping the site safe for everyone
When working on construction or renovation projects, everyone’s safety must be considered paramount. To ensure everyone’s safety, it’s important to provide employers, staff, and even self-employed concrete cutters with safety instructions and training needed.
Employers and staff should be able to conduct a thorough risk assessment on the site and come up with protective measures to keep the job site safe for everyone. With proper training and assessment of the area, everyone involved will also be capable of handling emergencies on-site in case of sudden unavoidable accidents.
Skipping on safety measures should not be an option no matter the scale of the construction or renovation project that you’re working on. Whether it’s constructing a small home extension, total demolition of a current residential or commercial structure, or building a new one on an empty lot, all protective clothing must be worn and safety measures must be followed.
When everyone knows how to keep the site safe, work can be done at a faster pace, and completing the project becomes easier. This allows for a smooth workflow and quick turnaround which benefits both the owner of the property and everyone hired to work on the construction or renovation project.