Concrete-cutting and core-drilling are challenging, demanding, and risky. Workers must perform their tasks efficiently and accurately to protect themselves and others. Not only that, but they must wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from debris, dust, and other site hazards. 

PPE is a critical aspect of regulatory compliance for concrete-cutting and core-drilling. Work Health and Safety (WHS) requires concrete cutters and drillers to wear PPE when hazards cannot be fully controlled by other measures, such as flying debris, dust, noise, vibration, and heavy equipment, which can harm them. 

If you’re managing a concrete-cutting or core-drilling project, understanding the essential PPE requirements can protect your workers and ensure a safe working environment. As a trusted provider of Brisbane wire sawing services since 2003, our knowledge of PPE can help you achieve these objectives. 

Key Takeaways

• Concrete cutting and core drilling involve significant hazards such as flying debris, dust, noise, vibration, and heavy equipment risks that require appropriate protective measures.
• Hard hats and bump caps help protect workers from head injuries caused by falling objects or site conditions.
• Respirators are critical for preventing inhalation of silica dust and other airborne particles generated by concrete work.
• Heavy-duty gloves and wrist cuffs strengthen hand protection against cuts, abrasions, and fatigue.
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing and reinforced pants protects skin from wet concrete, sharp fragments, and chemical irritation.

This blog delves deeper into the basics of PPE for concrete-cutting and core-drilling to ensure a seamless, hassle-free project. 

Protective Eyewear and Face Gear

Flying debris or dust can damage the face and eyes of concrete cutters and drillers. You can prevent this scenario by wearing the following PPE for your eyes and face:

• Protective glasses: They’re similar to conventional glasses but with reinforced, durable lenses. Depending on the project’s complexity, some workers wear side shields for comprehensive eye protection.

• Safety goggles: Manufacturers make them from flexible plastic and reinforce them with elastic for better eye protection.

• Eye shields: Their frameless, moulded construction allows seamless wear over regular eyeglasses.

• Protective face visor:  Also known as a face shield, this PPE shields a worker’s face from flying debris and shrapnel. Since face shields are not enclosed, dust and airborne particles can still compromise eye health. 

• Respirators: Respirators protect your nose and mouth from toxic airborne particles. Concrete cutters and drillers are exposed to harmful silica dust, which can compromise respiratory function. Workers often employ wet-cutting techniques and wear respirators to prevent this scenario and ensure peace of mind. 

Protective Headgear

Workers cutting and drilling concrete structures risk head injuries, especially with unstable, dilapidated applications. These injuries are often serious, so wearing the following protective headgear is critical to worker safety:

• Hard hats: Hard hats are staple protective headgear in many construction projects. Whether concrete-cutting or core-drilling, they offer superior head protection and peace of mind. 

• Bump caps: Also known as industrial scalp protectors, these lightweight head protection devices shield the scalp from bumps, scrapes, and lacerations. It’s critical to note that bump caps are not replacements for hard hats and do not provide adequate impact protection from falling or heavy objects. 

• Hairnets:  Hairnets keep hair in place, preventing it from distracting workers or obstructing their view. 

• Earplugs or earmuffs: These PPE protect your ears from loud workplace noise, which can damage hearing over time.   

Protective Handwear

Whether it’s Brisbane hand and ring sawing, concrete cutting, or core drilling, hand protection is critical to worker safety and efficiency. Razor-sharp equipment compromises hands and fingers when doing these jobs. Therefore, wearing the right protective handwear can prevent accidents and mishaps. 

• Gloves and gauntlets: We recommend heavy-duty gloves or gauntlets for maximum hand protection during concrete-cutting or core-drilling. 

• Wrist cuffs: This PPE protects your wrists from abrasions, cuts, impacts, fatigue, and straining. Wrist cuffs also prevent contact with dust or concrete in busy industrial settings. 

Protective Footwear

Work sites can accumulate sharp objects and debris that can damage shoes and feet. Falling objects and the use of heavy equipment can also compromise foot safety. For these reasons, consider wearing protective footwear with the following features to enhance worker safety and performance:

• Protective toe caps: Falling objects or equipment can crush and seriously injure your toes. Hence, wearing durable, reinforced toe caps protects your toes from hazards posed by concrete-cutting and core-drilling. 

• Durable safety boots: We recommend resilient safety boots with puncture-resistant soles, slip-resistant outsoles, weather-resistant uppers, and electrical hazard protection for optimal foot protection. 

• Comfortable: Wearing ill-fitting or uncomfortable footwear for several hours increases the likelihood of tripping, falling, slower reactions, fatigue, and injuries. Ensure your workers wear comfortable footwear to prevent these incidents and enhance worker safety. 

Dust Protection Equipment 

Whether it’s ordinary or silica dust, either hazard can potentially trigger serious respiratory, skin, and eye issues. Wearing the following PPE equipment safeguards these body parts and delivers long-term peace of mind:

• Protective eyewear: Depending on the nature of your project, we strongly recommend wearing protective eyewear, such as protective glasses, safety goggles, or eye shields. Ensure each piece of eyewear is clean to prevent vision obstruction while working.

Avoid wearing contact lenses during concrete-cutting or core-drilling, as they can trap dust and cause eye irritation, cornea scratches, or abrasions. Worse, they can also trap chemicals, leading to burns or irritation. 

• Protective skinwear: Skin protection is critical during concrete-cutting or core-drilling, as workers are exposed to hazards that can cause burns, cuts, and serious health issues. 

For instance, the lime content of wet concrete can cause chemical burns or dermatitis. On the other hand, sharp tools, drill bits, and concrete fragments can cut, scrape, or puncture the skin. Open cuts or abrasions can also become infected, making protective skinwear, such as long sleeves, work pants, and safety gloves, imperative in construction projects.  

• Respiratory protection: Exposure to silica in concrete dust can cause coughing, sneezing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. In extreme cases, it can cause silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, or kidney disease. 

Ensure your workers wear respirators to protect their respiratory health and prevent these health issues. 

Wet Concrete PPE

Wet-concrete cutting techniques are only the first step in significantly reducing toxic silica dust exposure. It’s important to note that wet concrete contains alkaline substances, fine particulate matter, and moisture, which can compromise eye and skin health. 

Therefore, we strongly consider wearing wet concrete PPE, such as long sleeves, durable, reinforced pants, waterproof boots and gloves, safety goggles, face shields, and transparent protective glasses, to protect your workers and facilitate smooth project timelines.  

Conclusion

Worker safety during concrete-cutting and core-drilling should never be taken for granted. Not only is wearing Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) imperative for worker safety, but it’s also essential for WHS regulatory compliance. 

Wearing essential PPE for the eyes, face, head, hands, feet, and when cutting wet concrete promotes worker confidence, knowing they can cut and drill concrete in a safe, collaborative environment. 

Take that critical first step in your concrete-cutting or core-drilling project with Cutrite. Since 2003, we have empowered our Australian clients with reliable Brisbane floor and road sawing solutions that deliver long-term results. 

Contact us to book an appointment, schedule an on-site inspection, and experience cost-effective concrete-cutting and core-drilling services that exceed your expectations.