What Are the Hazards of Masonry Construction? (2024)

Hazardous Risks to Workers Health

Construction jobs involving concrete and masonry present employees with two distinct health risks: exposure to silica dust and wet Portland cement.

Silica Dust – Sand, stone, concrete, brick, and mortar are all major sources of silica in the construction sector. Silicosis is a potentially fatal lung condition that can develop if you are repeatedly exposed to silica dust. Fortunately, there are methods to reduce the danger by utilizing PPE.

Wet Portland Cement – Because wet cement is caustic, abrasive, and absorbs moisture, those who work with it run the risk of getting skin issues. Blisters, dead or hard skin, or even black or green skin can result from cement burns. Anytime you sustain a cement burn, you should seek medical attention right away. Wear the appropriate PPE to avoid having your skin touch wet cement.

Safety Precautions To Reduce Hazards at Work

When working on building sites, masons should take the following precautions to manage these risks:

• Install strong work surfaces to prevent collapse and any potential falls of people or objects.
• Place ladders safely to prevent sliding or folding, and any gaps and voids need to be enclosed with fencing.
• Put on extra personal protective equipment (PPE) for your body, such as safety shoes with anti-slip soles, goggles, and helmets.
• Use mechanized lifting devices instead of lifting big objects by hand. You should always lift carefully or get assistance.
• Reduce your exposure to hazardous material. Use skin-protective creams, and after a shift, wash your hands thoroughly. When required, swap out leather gloves for coated cotton ones.
• Utilize respiratory protection tools, such as air masks and respirators, that are appropriate for the particular air pollutant that is most likely present in your workplace.

What Are the Top Hazards in Construction?

In the United States, there are over 252,000 construction sites where nearly 6.5 million people labor every day. These construction employees are exposed to a variety of occupational safety risks on the job. The rate of fatal injuries in the construction sector is greater than the national average for all other industries, according to OSHA. Some of the most typical dangers on a building site are the ones listed below:

1. Falls
2. Slips and trips
3. Airborne and material exposure
4. Electrical incidents
5. Burns

What Is a Job Hazard Analysis?

A job hazard analysis (JHA) is a study of the risks and hazards in a workplace. The JHA analyzes work activities to identify the tools, materials, and equipment necessary to establish safe techniques and procedures for the assigned task. The process identifies current and potential dangers, evaluates risk, and develops strategies for removing or preventing the hazard. Workers must carry out a JHA to determine the risks connected to a masonry project site.

Details of Masonry Work

Construction methods for concrete and masonry differ. Every employee has a duty to ensure activities are safe. You’ll need a wide variety of tools and machines when building with concrete and brick. PPE is crucial because of the special health risks that concrete and masonry building present to employees. Wear the body-wide PPE that is required. Wishing you luck and safety.

Concrete Masonry: Why It’s Used

Because of its affordability, strength, and resistance to weather, fire, and insects, concrete masonry is a common building material. A masonry building is influenced by all the basic masonry elements, including concrete block, mortar, grout, and steel. Concrete masonry is durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency.

Access to PPE

Accidents happen, so the most important thing is how you prepare for the unknowable. Wearing PPE in the construction sector is the best way to face any potential hazards that might cause serious injury. Masons are particularly vulnerable to workplace-related accidents or injuries because of the nature of their employment.

OSHA has specific safety requirements for masonry and construction PPE. PPE extends to face, head, foot, and garment wear. The criteria may change based on the job assignment.

Head Protection – No matter the task, your head should always be protected when working. Remember that when we talk about head protection, we’re not only referring to your brain. Your lips, nose, ears, and eyes are also in jeopardy. You should take this into account and protect your hearing, breathing, and vision.

Eye and Face Protection – When doing jobs that might result in foreign items entering the eye, workers should always use safety glasses or face shields. Goggles, safety glasses, or other types of face protection that totally enclose your eyes are examples of appropriate eye protection. To be able to view your work clearly, all your eye and facial protection has to be clean.

Hearing Protection – The sounds on a construction site are frequently louder and may be more damaging to your hearing. Wear hearing protection to prevent your eardrums from severe harm. All employees who are subjected to eight-hour time weighted average (TWA) noise levels of 85 dBA or more need to wear hearing protection. Wearing hearing protection could be a good idea if you are unsure about the noise level.

Respiratory Protection – For workplace safety, personal respirators are vital. The proper kind of respirator for the job you’ll be doing must be provided by your employer. What kind of filter or respirator you require will depend on the type of task you’re performing. For the building of masonry and concrete, there may be a need to use two different respirators. Any air risks to which the worker may be exposed should be completely protected by the respirator.

Skin Protection – You will often need long-sleeve shirts, trousers, gloves, and boots for skin protection. To avoid coming into contact with wet pavement, you should wear long sleeves and long pants. Use knee protection if you’re kneeling on wet concrete. Gloves save your hands from injuries when working with reinforced steel and shield your skin from cement burns.