Save your health, learn concrete sealer safety.
Installing concrete sealer is an important part of making your concrete floor pop, but there are important precautions you should take when installing it. In this article, we’ll discuss the hazards of concrete sealers and how to stay safe while using them.
Using a concrete sealer is an incredibly easy way to enhance the beauty of a usually simple concrete floor. Without following proper safety procedures, though, you could be jeopardizing the long term health of anyone on the site.
Hazards of Concrete Sealers
While using concrete sealer can be safe if you use the right product and follow best practices, there are hazards associated with its use. These include:
– Respiratory hazards: Many concrete sealers use some harmful, but often necessary, chemicals. These can be solvents and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Exposure can lead to issues such as asthma and lung cancer. Buying the right product can minimize the amount of exposure, but respiratory exposure is something to always be cautious of on the site.
– Skin hazards: Concrete sealers can cause skin irritation, burns, and even chemical burns. Always wear the appropriate safety gear when working with concrete sealers, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly .
– Eye hazards: Concrete sealers can cause eye irritation and even blindness. Always wear goggles or other protective eyewear when working with concrete sealers. By following eye protection protocols and thorough hand washing, you can greatly minimize your risk of eye damage.
Understanding the hazards of concrete sealers and taking the appropriate precautions are incredibly important. You can stay safe while still delivering beautiful floors.
How To Safely Use Concrete Sealer
Here are a few tips for staying safe while sealing concrete:
– Make sure to read the safety data sheet (SDS) for the sealer you’re using. This will tell you about the hazards of the sealer and how to safely use it.
– Use a water based sealer instead of a solvent based sealer.
– Wear the appropriate safety gear & PPE, including gloves, goggles, a mask, and even a respirator if ventilation is low.
– Work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows, doors, turn on fans and anything else that can help refresh the air in the room.
– Keep children and pets away from the work area. This should be a standard for any job site, but especially when applying possibly hazardous chemicals.
– Wash your hands thoroughly after handling concrete sealers. Avoiding any secondary exposure when touching eyes, or general skin irritations, is as easy to do as it is easy to forget.
By following these safety tips, you can stay safe while using concrete sealers.
What’s Inside Your Concrete Sealer?
Concrete sealers can contain a variety of harmful chemicals, including solvents and VOCs. It’s important to know what’s in your sealer and how to safely use it.
The SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for a concrete sealer will tell you about the hazards of the sealer and how to safely use it. Always read the SDS before using a concrete sealer. The SDS should guide you through what’s inside of your sealer, best use practices, etc in an accessible and understandable way.
Consult with one of our professionals using the number at the bottom of this article, or research yourself, if you don’t recognize any of the chemicals involved in a concrete sealer. Understanding what your chances of harm and the general risks involved in using your concrete sealer helps you better know how to combat them.
Regardless of whether you buy quality sealer or not, although you should always buy quality, wearing proper safety equipment and following ventilation protocol is a must on the job.
Proper Concrete Sealer Safety Gear
When working with concrete sealers, it’s important to wear the appropriate safety gear and PPE. When it comes to your health, less is never more. Here are a few pieces of safety gear you should wear:
– Nitrile Gloves: Concrete sealers can cause skin irritation and burns, and if it come into contact with your eyes can cause damage. Always wear gloves when working with concrete sealers.
– Goggles: Concrete sealers can cause eye irritation and blindness. Always wear goggles when working with concrete sealers.
– N95 Mask: Many concrete sealers contain harmful chemicals, including solvents and VOCs. Inhaling these chemicals can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung cancer. Always wear a mask when working with concrete sealers.
– Water based concrete sealer. We recommend using products like the Paveseal Acrylic Concrete Sealer, or the Xtreme Hard 2 Concrete Densifier & Sealer.
Learn Proper Safety from Professionals
We can help you find the best products, install polished concrete with best practices and navigate job site safety here at Polished Concrete University. With our 5 day program, we can help you kick start your business and guarantee better floors more efficiently. In our course, we cover:
- Industry standards & safety protocols for flooring
- Marketing guidance & pricing advice
- How to install quality polished concrete floors
Let us help you today, sign up for our program and learn everything you need to know from professionals in the industry.
Conclusion
The hazards of concrete sealers can be serious, but by understanding them and taking the appropriate precautions, you can stay safe while using them. Follow easy safety protocols, like wearing the right safety gear, or working in a well-ventilated area, and help save your health without sacrificing the beauty of your polished concrete floor.
If you have any additional questions about job site safety or other concrete flooring concerns, contact our experienced professionals at (954) 228-8856. Anything you might need on the job to ensure your safety or deliver beautiful floors with quality chemicals & concrete solutions, you can find it on our EpoxyETC store.