The exposure to concrete dust and how serious this issue is due to its harmful effect on health is well-known, particularly among concrete cutting professionals.
Depending on the amount of exposure, concrete dust can lead to serious health problems. If you don't take proper safety measures, concrete dust can lead to chronic breathing issues or other respiratory problems. Many construction workers have fallen ill because of silicosis, asthma, and even lung cancer. That's why controlling dust should be your top priority during a concrete cutting project.
Avoid Gas-Powered Dry Cutting Concrete Saws
Professionals that offer concrete cutting services know that they must avoid gas-powered dry cutting concrete saws at all costs because the exposure level to dust is enormous. Even if you are using all the protective gear to protect yourself, dust fills the work area and is harmful to workers' health and the entire neighbourhood. And if concrete cutting is being performed in an enclosed worksite, then the concrete dust is trapped in the space, forcing you to inhale it. Because of these reasons, gas-powered dry cutting concrete saws mustn't be used.
Methods to Control Dust When Cutting Concrete
Even if you don't use the dry cutting gas-powered concrete saws, there is still a risk of concrete dust. To control and minimize its exposure to workers and the environment, there are two primary methods:
Wet Concrete Cutting
Wet concrete cutting is an effective way of reducing concrete dust. A small amount of water helps a lot to reduce dust during a concrete cutting project. This method is suitable if you are using a diamond blade or circular saw to cut concrete.
There are several different wet concrete cutting techniques that concrete cutting service professionals use. For instance, pouring water onto the rotating cutting blade while it's in use or pumping water directly on the area that is being cut. In addition, a portable pressured tank can be used to supply the water. Many manufacturers of concrete cutting saws create them for this very purpose. The tanks can store about eight litres of water, and they are effective for up to 15 minutes of concrete cutting. This is the preferred method as it is portable and works well as long as there is a water source available for multiple refills.
Protective Measures
Taking some protective measures to reduce the risk of exposure to concrete dust is extremely important. The protective measures include using safety glasses and wearing masks. It would help if you chose a proper mask especially made to offer protection against concrete dust. Keep in mind that mask filters will get blocked after cutting concrete, so you will need to replace them regularly. Other workers on the worksite who aren't cutting concrete should also wear masks.
Apart from masks, using proper safety glasses is also highly recommended to ensure that your eyes are protected during the cutting process. Not wearing them can lead to minor irritation or even permanent damage to your eyes. Wearing proper foot and hearing protection and wearing suitable quality headgear are other safety measures for workers.
These are the primary methods to control dust while cutting concrete. To ensure everyone involved in the project, it is recommended that you hire concrete cutting Sydney services that strictly adhere to these safety precautions.
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