Here are a few reasons concrete cutting is best left to the professionals.
Concrete is a highly versatile material in the construction industry. This means that many buildings have structures that are made out of concrete. By performing concrete cutting, it allows windows and doors to be formed, and you can also remove concrete slabs that serve no valuable function anymore.
If you’re considering getting a concrete cutting assignment done, you might want to consider the possible dangers if you try it yourself. Concrete cutting is best done by people who have the experience to do it safely. Here are a few reasons concrete cutting is best left to the professionals.
They’re Ready for Locking-In & Kickback
Concrete saws are strong devices, and they can be lethal if not handled properly. Two of the biggest safety concerns with these saws are locking-in and kickback. Kickback is the phenomenon of the saw pulling back to its operator. This tends to occur whenever the upper part of the saw blade gets obstructed.
Saw blades must rotate at their highest speed before you put them into concrete if you want to minimize the chances of kickback. This is something that trained professionals understand.
Locking-in is a different safety hazard that concrete cutters face. Sometimes, the concrete slab or wall that is getting cut could start shifting in the middle of cutting. The shifting process can cause the blades of the saw to get pinched, which will lock the saw in place. Only with plenty of expertise in the field will someone know how to free the saw without harming the concrete, the saw, or themself.
Silica Dust
Concrete cutting can be risky at times. Because of the abrasive nature of the saw blades, a lot of dust can be sent airborne. Silica dust is hazardous to human health because the particles can cause a condition called lung fibrosis.
It’s such a hazard that there is a rule put in place that limits how much silica dust is allowed to be exposed to a person in any given shift.
Not everyone has access to the necessary engineering controls that allow people to control how much silica dust is exposed to them. Only professional concrete cutting companies have these kinds of tools, so it’s safest to leave everything to the pros.
Concrete Visions Will Get The Job Done Right
Concrete Visions has been working with clients for over 25 years. Our G&M Services installers are certified with the industry’s major firestop product manufacturers. As part of our firestop service, we can assess abnormal field conditions and, with the manufacturer’s technical support assistance, provide engineering judgments in a timely fashion to comply with contract specifications. Our Field Mechanics undergo ongoing training, including mandatory monthly safety meetings, weekly Toolbox Talks where safety and equipment information is shred, and trainings on safe work standards and safety best practices.