Construction workers and anyone who has cut concrete are aware of their exposure to concrete dust and how harmful it can be to their health. It can have serious health consequences depending on the duration of exposure.

If you are not properly protected while cutting concrete, dust can negatively affect your health system and lead to chronic respiratory problems or any other respiratory illness. There are many construction workers who have come down with asthma, silicosis, and even lung cancer.

Everyone in the construction industry knows that dry cutting with gas-powered concrete saws should no longer be used because the level of dust exposure is enormous. Even if you are wearing a proper mask to reduce personal exposure, the dust still fills the work area and puts the health of other workers and the entire neighborhood beyond at risk. Also, if you are working in an enclosed construction space rather than outdoors, the concrete dust trapped in the space forces you to inhale it.

There are two methods that appear to be successful in controlling dust when cutting concrete and minimizing its exposure to the environment.

1. Cutting wet concrete

Regular use of water controls on gas concrete saws is a clear and effective way to reduce the level of respirable dust. A small amount of water can go a long way in reducing dust if you have to cut concrete with a circular saw or diamond blade.

There are many wet cutting techniques you can try. For example, stop water on the rotating cutting blade while in use; or pump water directly over the cutting area while the saw is still running. Water can be supplied using a portable pressurized tank created by many concrete cutting saw manufacturers. These tanks contain at least eight liters of water and are effective for a 15 minute cut-off period. A ratio of ½ liter of water per minute is considered a standard rate to reduce dust emissions. After that, the tanks must be refilled. This is the preferred method as it is flexible to transport around the site as long as there is a source of water for any additional recharging that is required.

2. Protection measures

It is important to take some protective measures to reduce the risks associated with concrete cutting dust. This includes the use of safety goggles and masks. You must know how to select a suitable mask that is specifically designed to provide protection against concrete dust. The mask filters will become blocked after a period of time and will need to be replaced regularly. Any other worker on the construction site must also wear masks.

The use of proper safety glasses is extremely necessary to keep your eyes protected during the cutting process. Failure to wear these types of glasses may result in minor irritation or permanent damage to the eyes.

Other safety measures for workers include the use of good quality hard hats, adequate hearing protection and foot protection.