How to Stay Safe While Using a Concrete Saw
At some point, you will need to saw into a slab of concrete.
At some point, you will need to cut into a slab of concrete. It doesn’t matter if it is for a residential project or a commercial one. No matter what, safety should remain your number one priority. Walls, floors, and countertops can also be made of concrete, and whether it is a remodeling or renovation project on tap, cutting into it can be a risky proposition if not approached correctly. Let’s learn more!
Finding Hazards
Before any concrete sawing work can happen, it is essential to find out if there are any hazards in the way. Some examples include underground utility lines, such as for water or electricity; concrete is hard to break through under normal circumstances, but not impossible. Sawing, drilling, or grinding blindly is never a good idea. Other examples include fastening nails, rebar, and conduits. If you hit anything, it could cause an explosion or become unsafe to work around. This situation will ultimately slow down the pace of the project, forcing you to miss deadlines and fall behind schedule.
Dealing with Cured Concrete
Another issue to contend with is when you have to deal with cured concrete. Curing is the process by which concrete becomes even harder. Although it doesn’t take long for the concrete to dry on its own, when you add curing to the mix there is another layer of uncertainty and potential danger. Once the curing process finishes, the concrete becomes air and waterproof. The curing process needs about a month or so to finalize. Cutting or sawing into it before then is inadvisable because the new concrete isn’t ready for it yet. If the slab isn’t cured, then it can cause permanent damage to your tools, the job site, and the slab itself.
Waiting for Professionals
Many homeowners assume that concrete sawing or cutting is something that they can do on their own. But it’s best to wait for the professionals, who have the equipment and training to run ground-penetrating radar, or GPR before any concrete sawing action can begin.
Prioritize Safety with G&M Services
G&M Services is proud of our employees and the dedication they have for safety in the workplace. We reward our employees for displaying positive safety practices. We incorporate weekly and monthly discussions and meetings to ensure that all involved are aware of how to handle equipment and potential situations that could occur during a project.
G&M Services offers services in the way of concrete drilling and sawing, concrete scanning, and Firestop. To get started with us, call today at 410-787-8828 or visit our contact page. Follow the official company page today on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
