Incident alert
LOCATION:
CONCRETE PRODUCTS PLANT
ACTIVITY:
MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING
TITLE
Concrete Supervisor: Cement Burns
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
United Kingdom
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS
Whist cleaning out the mixer on a concrete plant, vibrations caused cement held up in the chute and dust extractor to fall onto the Plant Supervisors back. His colleague, who was on the outside of the mixer, noticed this and told him and so he immediately went to wash it off.
The Plant Supervisor then went straight home and had a shower. Initially there were no immediate signs of there being any symptoms but over the course of the weekend discolouring and soreness appeared.
The Plant Supervisor was wearing a two piece waterproof suit which created a void at the lower point of his back as he was crouched down. This allowed cementitious material to drip down onto his bare back.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
Click image to enlarge
Cement Burns
Click image to enlarge
Waterproof Trousers
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
Fortunately, the Plant Supervisor was aware that contact with cement or freshly mixed concrete could result in chemical burns. If he had not taken immediate action the burns could have been much worse since chemical burns can develop without pain being initially felt. Dermatitis may also develop resulting in the affected skin becoming itchy, cracked and sore.
- Is the risk of chemical burns, including those caused by cement, considered in the site risk assessment and safe systems of work?
- Are relevant personnel trained in the risk of chemical / cementitious burns and the precautions that must be applied?
- Always wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) required as set out in the safe systems of work. In this instance one piece waterproof coveralls should have been worn.
- Always check PPE before commencing work.
- Stop anyone from working if they do not have the right, well maintained equipment, tools or PPE for the job.
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
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