Tailgate Talk: Cement safety

You might be surprised to learn that every year in the U.S., dozens of workers suffer debilitating chemical burns from exposure to cement. These injuries most often happen when cement remains on the skin too long and alkaline compounds in the wet cement penetrate the skin and cause severe burns.

Here are three things to keep in mind to stay safe when working with cement.

1. Wear safety gear. Never handle cement without first putting on personal protective equipment such as alkali-resistant gloves, coveralls with long sleeves, full-length trousers, waterproof boots high enough to keep out wet cement, a respirator and safety goggles.

2. Control skin contact. Use waterproof kneepads or dry boards when you’ll be kneeling on fresh concrete. If you contact wet cement, wash your skin right away with large volumes of clean, cool water. Clean off your face and hands after you’ve finished working with cement. And remove clothing contaminated by cement right away.

3. Reduce dust levels. Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas and use dry cutting rather than wet cutting as much as you can. Choose ready-mix concrete to avoid on-site mixing.

(From the May 18, 2026, issue of Safety Alert for Supervisors. To start your no-obligation trial subscription to the publication right now, please click here.)