Cement Handling Safety

Date: 2025-07-21

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to provide you with the knowledge and procedures necessary to safely handle cement, minimizing the risks of dust inhalation, skin contact, and burns.

Introduction

Cement handling poses several safety risks, including dust inhalation, skin irritation, and potential burns. This toolbox talk will cover essential safety procedures to mitigate these hazards.

Key Points

Dust Control: Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area to minimize dust exposure. Use local exhaust ventilation where possible.
Skin Protection: Wear gloves of adequate length to offer appropriate skin protection from splashes. Nitrile, Butyl and PVC gloves have been found to offer adequate protection for incidental contact. Wear rubber boots when stepping in concrete. You cannot rely on pain to alert you to cement burns. Portland cement can cause dermatitis or sensitization. [1]
Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved dust mask or filtering face piece in poorly ventilated areas or when permissible exposure limits may be exceeded. Respirators should be selected by and used under the direction of a trained health and safety professional, following requirements found in OSHA's respirator standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and ANSI's standard for respiratory protection (Z88.2). [1]
Clothing: Avoid direct contact with cement. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to minimize skin exposure.
Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with pH-neutral soap and cool water before breaks and at the end of work. Immediately remove all soiled and contaminated clothing. [1]

Hazard Identification

Cement contains crystalline silica and Portland cement, both of which can pose significant health hazards if not handled properly. Exposure can lead to silicosis, dermatitis, and burns.

Inhalation of cement dust containing crystalline silica: Can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs, and may cause cancer through inhalation of dust. Also, dust may cause respiratory tract irritation.
Skin contact with dry or wet cement: Causes skin irritation, dermatitis, and potentially severe burns, including third-degree burns, especially in the presence of moisture. Symptoms may include redness, drying, defatting and cracking of the skin. May cause an allergic skin reaction. (Risk: High)
Eye contact with cement dust or wet cement: Causes serious eye damage and burns, including discomfort or pain, excess blinking and tear production, with marked redness and swelling of the conjunctiva. (Risk: High)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Safety Glasses or Goggles: Essential for protecting your eyes from dust and splashes. Ensure they are properly fitted and dust- or splash-proof. [1]
Gloves (Nitrile, Butyl, or PVC): Wear gloves of adequate length to offer appropriate skin protection from splashes. Nitrile, Butyl and PVC gloves have been found to offer adequate protection for incidental contact. [1]
Rubber Boots: Wear rubber boots when stepping in concrete. You cannot rely on pain to alert you to cement burns. Portland cement can cause dermatitis or sensitization. [1]
NIOSH-Approved Dust Mask or Respirator: A NIOSH approved dust mask or filtering facepiece is recommended in poorly ventilated areas or when permissible exposure limits may be exceeded. [1]

Emergency Procedures

Remove the person to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. In case of unconsciousness, place patient stably in side position for transportation. [2]
Wash skin with cool water and pH-neutral soap or a mild detergent. If significant skin irritation or rash occurs: get medical advice or attention. [2]
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. [2]

Questions and Answers

Q: What should I do if I suspect a cement burn?

A: Burns from Portland cement may not cause immediate pain or discomfort. You cannot rely on pain to alert you to cement burns. Therefore precautions must be taken to prevent all contact with Portland cement. Cement burns can become worse even after contact has ended. If there is contact with this product, immediately remove all product from body and thoroughly rinse with water. If you experience or suspect a cement burn or inflammation you should immediately see a health care professional. [2]

Q: How can I minimize dust exposure?

A: Ensure good ventilation/exhaustion at the workplace. DO NOT BREATHE DUST. In dusty environments, the use of an OSHA, MSHA or NIOSH approved respirator and tight fitting goggles is recommended. Wear appropriate PPE (See section 8).Do not mix with other chemical products, except as indicated by the manufacturer. Do not get in eyes, on skin or clothing. Good housekeeping is important to prevent accumulation of dust. [3]

Summary

Recap of main points:

Always wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection.
Practice good hygiene by washing hands and removing contaminated clothing promptly.
Ensure adequate ventilation and use dust control measures to minimize inhalation hazards.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.