What Are The Risks Involved With Dry Cutting Concrete?
Are you involved in dry concrete cutting? Are you aware of the risks associated with dry concrete cutting? If not, you need to read this article today!
People who are involved in concrete cutting are at high risk of numerous hazards while dry concrete cutting is associated with health risks, too.
Toxic exhaust fumes, saw kickback, blade fracture, and silica dust are some of the many hazards of concrete cutting. Concrete cutting devices are vulnerable to violent pressure when the blade jams inside a cut.
This article provides information on some of the various risks involved with dry concrete cutting.
- Silica Dust
- Damaged Or Inappropriate Blade
- Blunt Cutting Edges
- Kickback And Push-Back
- Power Cords
Silica Dust
Concrete cutting can be a dirty job with workers being exposed to clouds of silica dust regularly – especially when using dry cutting methods. Silica dust poses massive health risks for employees on the job.
Concrete contains a compound known as crystalline silica. Silica can be a major health concern when exposed in the air. Crystalline silica is found in many other compounds such as sand, slate, flint, and quartz.
It doesn’t pose any risk unless the dust is exposed in the air. This happens when concrete is cut with a saw, is ground or crushed.
Construction workers can develop silicosis when exposed to silica dust regularly. It’s a non-curable lung disease that occurs when silica dust accumulates in the lungs.
Scar tissue will form in the lungs when silica dust embeds itself in the lungs. This reduces the lung’s ability to take in oxygen.
Symptoms of the condition won’t develop for at least five years and may take only two more years for the individual to become disabled or in extreme cases, cause death.
That’s why you need to take appropriate safety measures when you are involved in dry concrete cutting.
Damaged Or Inappropriate Blade
When the cutting device uses an inappropriate or damaged blade, it can vibrate, shatter, wobble, fragment or even fly off. Such a blade will disintegrate when force is applied to it.
This can result in accuracy issues with the actual cuts.
That’s why you need to avoid situations of cutting concrete with cutters that have damaged or inappropriate blades. The correct blade should be used and installed properly.
Never cut concrete with a damaged blade because it can cause injuries to construction workers.
Blunt Cutting Edges
Blunt cutting edges are common when you rely on a saw blade with a wrong diamond cutting bond. The bond will hold the cutting diamonds together too hard and may lead to a delay in the cutting process.
The surface diamonds in the blade will get blunt in no time under such circumstances. You may have to apply some additional force when using a handheld saw.
Blunt edges can lead to push-back, kickback or pull-in of the concrete saw. Make sure the blade is sharp enough when you are involved in dry concrete cutting.
Kickback And Push-Back
These forces are suddenly experienced by the saw operator and could be difficult to manage. This may lead to injuries and other health hazards.
Kickback and push-back can wrench the concrete saw from its fittings and leave it running on the ground. You should be aware of these hazards to prevent any injuries caused by them.
Power Cords
Power cords can be easily damaged when linked with electric-powered cutting devices and other equipment. The exposed wire can result in electrocution hazards when exposed to water so extreme care needs to be taken.
If you are looking for a concrete cutting company that is trustworthy and reliable, then don’t go past VIC Sawing and Drilling. Call us today on (03) 8786 3621 or through our contact page.
