One of the most common building materials is concrete with more than one million workers in various trades and using it regularly. However, not many people know that exposure to wet concrete poses some risks. If you use concrete in their work or to supervise all the work that makes use of concrete is a need to learn about its dangers, one of which concrete is being developed dermatitis.
What is the concrete or cement dermatitis?
This is a skin condition caused by contact with cement. The combination of moisture from the cement and chemical abrasion and corrosion can cause irritation of the skin. When people who work with cement become sensitive to cement additives, such as chromium salts then may develop allergic dermatitis. Some symptoms of dermatitis are specific redness, itching, blistering, swelling, and peeling.
Who is at risk?
Cement is a basic ingredient in many construction materials such as tile grout and plaster. It is also a binding agent used in the manufacture modern mortar stucco is also added modern or make it more durable. So, apart from the construction workers who work with mass concrete, other workers or with a cement containing materials are also at risk for specific dermatitis, even those who do cement finishing, using precast concrete truck drivers ready-mix concrete, carpenters, cement blocks and cement brick layers, tile setters, plasterers and terrazzo workers. In addition, during exposure to cement dust is also dangerous as the dust of cement when mixed with the sweat becomes very corrosive. People who are especially at risk are Cement plant workers, cement workers drilling and civil protection units such as emergency firefighters.
Why wet cement dangerous?
portland cement, cement most common type, consists of calcium oxide becomes highly alkaline calcium hydroxide when add water to cement. In the pH scale, PH14 is the highest point alkaline calcium hydroxide has a pH of 12-13, so it is extremely harmful once it gets to human skin, which has a normal pH of 5.5 and is really little acid. This layer of acid helps repair skin damage and because alkali counter acid, Prolonged skin exposure to strong alkaline substances like wet cement can cause severe skin damage.
First Aid
If the wet cement comes into contact with skin, wash skin with clean, fresh water at a time. Similarly, if the cement gets into eyes, rinse with clean, fresh water for about 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation subsides.
Preventing Concrete Dermatitis
At Cory Grant Concrete, we provide our workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that meets Australian Occupational Safety and Health Standards. All workers are required to use PPE and we ensure the equipment they use is maintained in sanitary and good condition. PPE includes goggles for eye protection and impervious gloves, long sleeved shirts, safety rubber boots and long pants for skin protection. We also practice proper PPE usage and safe removal of protective clothing. We realize that employing good safety practices in the workplace at all times is essential to protect cement workers from concrete dermatitis or other hazards of wet concrete exposure.
Cory Grant is a second generation Decorative Concrete Professional. He is an enthusiast and enjoys sharing his knowledge on what he learns in the industry with other professionals and those who are seeking advice for their Decorative Concrete Project.
Take the time to visit his site http://www.corygrantconcrete.com and visit his blog to keep up to date with all the latest stuff happening in the industry.
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