Many people shy away from DIY concrete cutting because they are aware that it is a dangerous job. But professionals understand what is needed to ensure that all work is done safely from start to finish. Here's a look at some run-of-the-mill safety issues and how they can be combatted.

Safety Risk #1: Electricity

To help water down concrete dust, some professionals prefer wet cutting to dry cutting. But this move often presents an entirely new safety threat: electrical accidents. It is well-known to many people that water can cause trouble if it comes into contact with electricity; a fire may start causing destruction of property or someone may get electrocuted and suffer from severe injuries or even lose his or her life.  

To completely eliminate electrical hazards, professionals can opt for hydraulic, pneumatic or diesel-powered equipment as an alternative to electrical equipment when wet cutting. If electrical equipment must be used, such equipment will be grounded to minimise the risk of potential Earth leakage.

Safety Risk #2: Rotating cutting blades

Concrete cutting is a job that requires equipment operators to maintain a firm grip of their equipment when cutting through concrete surfaces. A slight departure of cutting blades from the surface being cut can lead to a catastrophic ending. This is because the powerful movement of the blades or the small pieces of flying debris can injure the operators or those present near the work area.

Besides ensuring that those operating concrete cutting saws are well-trained on safety operation protocols, concrete cutters can also ensure that people who are not directly involved in the job at hand are kept at bay, e.g. by using barricades, warning lights and placards, etc.

Safety Risk #3: Exposure to loud or prolonged noise

Because the noise that is produced when cutting concrete can be of great magnitude, it is not unusual to hear about cases where people end up suffering from hearing loss. Even exposure to lower decibels of sound can cause trouble. For that reason, concrete cutting people always strive to keep noise levels at a minimum.

Some of the ways used to achieve this include using state-of-the-art equipment that can provide clean and precise cuts without necessarily generating too much noise and providing personnel with personal protection equipment, like ear muffs and earplugs.

Therefore, if you are concerned about making sure your concrete cutting jobs are carried out safely, consider hiring concrete cutting contractors from a company like Kwik Cut.

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