Safety Tidbit 8.02 – Concrete Burns

Safety Tidbit 8.02 – Concrete Burns

 

Reference:       SAFEX – Working with Concrete: Hazards and Resolutions

                        SMG – Concrete Burns: Damaging, But East to Prevent

                        NIH – Concrete Burns

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Mr. Carson Aiken– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

While concrete burns are not the most common injuries related to occupational safety and health, they can be extremely painful and difficult to treat. Concrete has been one of the most popular building materials in the construction industry for hundreds of years. Concrete burns often occur due to carelessness or focusing on getting the job done faster rather than working safely. While many concrete laborers wear clothing and personal protective equipment that covers most of their bodies, concrete burns can still occur by mixing with sweat and adhering to their clothes and skin.

 

It is too late to reverse the adverse effects once a worker has discovered a concrete burn. Concrete contains harmful chemicals such as hexavalent chromium, an alkaline, and calcium oxide, which can mix with sweat and undergo an exothermic reaction. To treat concrete burns, some patients may need to be hospitalized, while others may need outpatient care, depending on the nature of the burn. A study in the Journal of Burns and Wounds found that among 46 patients, the mean hospital stay was 21 days. Some patients may need skin grafts depending on the degree of the burns, while others may need the wound cleaned to prevent infection. 

 

Dry concrete dust can also be a concern as it contains the harmful substance silica. Silica can harm a person’s lungs resulting in silicosis or lung cancer. Dry concrete can also irritate eyes and skin if exposed. 

 

Some best practices to avoid painful concrete burns include

·      Identify concrete burn hazards in pre-task plans

·      Wear alkali-resistant gloves

·      Wear long sleeves and long pants

·      Wear approved eye protection

·      Consider taping pants to boots to avoid entry point 

·      Focus on the hazards rather than getting the job done quickly 

 

In the event of skin contact with concrete:

·      Notify immediate supervisor promptly

·      Wash contaminated skin with cold water and non-alkaline soap to prevent skin damage and infections

·      If splashed with concrete, use an eyewash station for at least fifteen minutes 

 

When working with dry concrete dust

·      Wear at least an N-95 respirator 

·      Immediately wash the dust off the skin following work activity to avoid burns and irritation

·      Do not eat or drink in areas where dust can contaminate food 

 

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.