Health & Safety

Ready-mixed concrete is designed to enable the user to cast the plastic material into the shape prior to hardening.

Physical and chemical characteristics - ready-mixed concrete is a mixture of: a cementitious material (this may be cement or a mixture of cement with pulverised fuel ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag), fine course aggregate, water; admixtures may be added to improve the properties of the fresh and hardened concrete. The resultant mixture is abrasive and alkaline.

Main hazards - contact with wet cement mixes such as concrete can cause skin diseases.  Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by the combination of wetness, alkalinity and abrasiveness of the cement mixture.  Allergic contact dermatitis may be caused by individual sensitivity to chromium compounds which may occur in cement.  Cement burns, a form of skin ulceration, mat result from contact with freshly mixed concrete.

Precautions - direct skin contact with wet concrete should be avoided.  It is also important not to kneel or sit on the wet material as harmful contact can occur through saturated clothing.  Protective clothing should be worn when handling wet cement, particularly on the arms, hands, legs and feet e.g. long-sleeved clothing, gloves with full length gloves with full length trousers, impervious boots.

Emergency action - where skin contact occurs with wet cement, either directly or through saturated clothing, the wet cement must be washed off immediately.  Where eye contact occurs the area must immediately and thoroughly irrigated with water. In all cases of doubt, or where symptoms persist, medical advice should be obtained.

Transportation and waste disposal - the carriage of concrete is not subject to hazardous substance conveyance regulations and vehicle labelling is not required.  In the event of spillage, entry of material to water courses should be avoided.

Storage - The hardening of concrete can be delayed, extending the period during which the precautions given above should continue to be taken and during which access by unauthorised persons should be prevented.

Hardened concrete:-

Hazard - the surface treatment and cutting of hardened concrete can create dust which may contain quartz. If inhaled in excessive quantities over extended periods respirable dust containing quartz can constitute a long term health hazard.

Precaution - inhalation of concrete dust should be avoided.

Protective clothing - respiratory protective equipment should be worn during the treatment or cutting of hardened concrete where dust is generated.

Waste disposal - unused hardened concrete is inert but it should be disposed of in accordance with local legal requirements.