Activity Description: Working with Wet and Dry Cement and Concrete Products Health & Safety Management
RISK ASSESSMENT
Service Area / Division: Assessed by: Date of Assessment: Ref No:
Streetcare Highways October, 2012 HT/RA/162 and
HT/RA/162/1
Likelihood: Severity/consequences: Risk rating (SC x L):
1 - Highly unlikely 1 - Slightly harmful 1 - Trivial risk 6 - Substantial risk
2 – Unlikely 2 – Harmful 2 - Tolerable risk 9 - Intolerable risk
3 – Likely 3 - Extremely harmful 3 - 4 - Moderate risk
Main hazards/associated risks:
Who is at risk?
Consider: KC Employees,
Ref Young Persons, Disability, Risk
Hazard/Risk Children/Pupils, Contractors, Control Measures Locations Likelihood Severity
Rating
No Visitors, New & Expectant
Mothers, Members of the
Public, Client/Service User
Wet concrete – Ready Kirklees Council Awareness and compliance of the Highway
mixed, hand or machine employees, contents and control measures of construction
mixed. delivery drivers the material COSHH assessment sites
and contractors. for this product. throughout
Severe cement burns, skin Kirklees.
1 2 2 4
irritation, cracked skin and Washing, changing and first aid
contact/irritant dermatitis facilities are available on site.
arising from skin contact.
Concrete soiled clothing must be
changed
1
Following of good personal
hygiene procedures for washing
hands, face and arms throughout
…. continued …. continued the shift. … continued
Safe working methods are
followed.
Full PPE must be worn (eye
protection, full overalls, gloves, and
safety boots/wellingtons).
Tools are swilled clean after use.
Annual health checks.
Dry Concrete – Bagged Kirklees Council Awareness and compliance of the Highway
and hand or machine mixed. employees, work contents and control measures of construction
colleagues, the material COSHH assessment sites
Respiratory problems to the contractors and for this product. throughout
mouth, throat and lungs, members of the Kirklees.
silicosis and fibrosis arising public. Bags are issued, transported and
from the inhaling of airborne stored carefully to avoid split bags.
concrete dusts.
Eye, face, gloves and full clothing
2 2 2 4
are worn.
Mixing must be on a dry board and
opened carefully avoiding spillage
and airborne dust.
Avoid mixing during exposed windy
conditions and try to stand upwind
with the face turned away.
2
Empty bags are carefully folded
… continued … continued and disposed of carefully. … continued
Annual health checks.
Hard Concrete Cutting – Kirklees Council Awareness and compliance of the Highway
Pre-cast kerbs, channels, employees, work contents and control measures of construction
blocks and similar colleagues, the material COSHH assessment sites
construction products. contractors and for this product. throughout
members of the Kirklees.
Respiratory problems to the public. Whilst cutting with a stone saw
mouth, throat and lungs,
silicosis and fibrosis arising a water suppression fitment
from the inhaling of airborne is always used
3 concrete dusts during Eye protection is worn. 2 3 6
working and cutting Ear protection is worn
operations. Respiratory protection is
worn (mask or respirator
Eye injury from being struck depending on the site
by flying particles assessment)
A cutting booth is
considered in town centres.
The working area is secured
from the public.
The Manual Handling of Kirklees Council Manual handling training with Highway
employees and refresher training and regular tool construction
Wet concrete contractors. box talks. sites
4 Pre-cast concrete throughout 2 3 6
products Annual health checks with Kirklees.
Bagged cement referrals.
(usually 20 or 25Kg)
3
Skilled placement of ready mixed
concrete via the chute and levelling
to reduce shovelling.
… continued …. continued … continued
Lifting aids for concrete products
are available and must be used.
Maximum manual lift must be
dynamically assessed by each
individual attempting any lift taking
into account the
size and type of the load,
site environment,
distance to be carried
individuals physical
capability
and must not exceed 25 kilograms.
Noise from powered plant, Kirklees Council Ear protection is always available Highway
vehicles and equipment. employees and and must be looked after and worn construction
contractors. on any site or depot whilst sites
Hearing loss due to throughout
exposure to harmful noise operating any powered Kirklees.
levels during concrete hand held tool,
5 using any powered machine 2 2 4
machine mixing working close to concrete
ready mixed delivery vehicles.
deliveries
stone saw cutting Team working enables job rotation.
Annual health checks including
audiometric testing.
4
Vibration from powered Kirklees Council Staffs are trained in the Highway
hand held tools and employees and management of vibration risk. construction
equipment. contractors. sites
All equipment used is measured throughout
and tagged with a point’s value. Kirklees.
Personal over exposure to All tools are regularly maintained.
harmful levels of vibration
6 2 2 4
from tools and equipment. An effective low vibration tool
procurement policy is in place.
A regular tool measurement
programme is managed.
Annual health checks with
referrals.
Personal Protective Equipment:
5
Related Assessments:
Assessment Type Assessment Ref
Manual Handling on Construction Sites HT/RA/008
Eye Protection HT/RA/101/1
Head Protection HT/RA/102
Ear Protection HT/RA/103/1
Foot Protection HT/RA/104/1
Traffic on Highways HT/RA/153
Use of Vibrating Tools HT/RA/167
Use of Light Plant and Equipment HT/RA/171
Action Plan:
Action Person Responsible Expected Completion Date
Whenever mass concreting operations are specified additional Managers and As and when identified and required.
control measures concerning respiratory protection, manual supervisors.
handling and use of vibrating tools must be introduced following a
specific site risk assessment.
Control measures relative to protecting of the environment must be Supervisors and site staff. On-going.
borne in mind during concrete mixing operations particularly
regarding hand mixing on site, dealing with spillages and disposal
of empty cement bags.
6
Conclusions:
If the above recommendations are followed then risks can be minimised.
A safety Method Statement can be used as part of this risk assessment which can be used to assist with training and when monitoring work
activities.
Review of this document should be annually or more frequent if:
After an accident / incident involving an activity from this risk assessment
Any significant changes to work practices, materials, equipment or legislation
Reviewer(s): Editors: Date reviewed: Amendments:
September 2013 Yes
August 2014 No
August 2015 No
August 2016 Yes
August 2017 Yes – Activity description title changed and risk
assessment re-written to include working with
both wet and dry cement and concrete
products.
7
Manager (Signed): Dated: 10th August 2017
THIS RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE SHARED WITH ALL INVOLVED IN THIS ACTIVITY
The sharing of the risk assessment with all staff involved with the activity is vital to ensure all control
measures are complied with, are practical and adhered to.
Please document that this information has been provided
8
Guidance Note
Working with Wet and Dry Cement and Hardened Concrete
1. Cement
High levels of dust can be produced when mixing cement mortars either by hand
or in a mixer particularly when emptying bags or during their disposal.
Any short term exposure to high levels of cement dusts will irritate the nose and
throat leading to breathing difficulties and chronic chest complaints.
Dusts in the eyes can cause inflammation, irritation, possible burns and
permanent eye damage.
In order to minimise these risks keep to the following advice:
Minimise the amount of cement on site by only storing only the amount
required per day.
Handle cement bags gently; using mechanical means where possible and by
carrying only one bag at a time. Handling must be carried out in the open air
or in well ventilated areas.
Wear a dust mask or goggles when opening, emptying and disposing of
cement bags; for high concentrations use a respirator type mask.
2. Wet Concrete
Skin contact with wet concrete can cause dermatitis, burns and ulceration of the
skin.
Splashes of wet concrete into the eye can lead to inflammation and irritation.
It is essential to follow the following advice when handling wet concrete:
Wear full overalls (long sleeves/long legs), which can be removed and
replaced if saturated with wet concrete.
Wear gloves and goggles.
Wash of any splashes immediately with cold, clean water.
If splashed into the eyes, irrigate for 10 minutes with clod, clean water then
take to hospital.
If any irritation or inflammation persists, seek medical advice.
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3. Hardened Concrete
The risks associated with hardened concrete fall into 2 categories:
A) Operations causing dusts; for example scrabbling and cutting. These must
be protected against as in number 1.
A scabbling tool must not be used, unless all appropriate health and safety
measures have first been put in place with additional measures specified for
controlling the known higher levels of vibration and noise.
B) Operations which cause chips of hardened concrete to break off; for
example cutting and breaking out. These must be protected against as in
number 2.
C) The manual handling of pre cast concrete units must be assessed for
operative safety prior to use.
Posture, length and distance of the lift, size and nature of the load,
environmental conditions and the physical capabilities of the individual must
always be considered prior to the start of any manual handling activity.
The weight of the load to be handled must not exceed 25 kilograms.
4. The Environment
D) Whenever accepting a delivery of ready mixed concrete or when hand or
machine mixing concrete on site the potential of damage to the environment
must always be considered with precautions taken to minimise any risks.
Empty cement bags must be carefully folded and wrapped to minimise dust
escape and hand mixing must be done on a spot board.
Only the correct quantity of ready mixed concrete must be ordered to
minimise disposal of any unwanted surplus.
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