be safe not sorry sign
MegasawConcrete Cutting

A Step By Step Approach in Concrete Cutting Leads to Greater Safety

The requirement to cut concrete is not something that comes up very often, and is an activity that is carried out normally only by builders or contractors. When such needs do come up, the right equipment to use is a concrete saw.

Concrete saws have the power and blades to cut through very dense materials and besides concrete, may even be used to cut stone or tile. Regular cutting tools will find it difficult to deal with these materials. Most concrete saws are power tools and will use pneumatic, hydraulic, electricity or gasoline-powered engines for the huge strength requirement of cutting through concrete. Concrete saws are available in many different sizes and can be hand held or table mounted, or may even have chain saws that facilitate very large and complex cuts. Some machines may be large enough to walk behind and guide while they perform the cutting operations.

Saw blades need to run very fast in order to cut through concrete, and this causes a lot of friction and heat. Most machines use water or other cooling substances to cool the blade, which can otherwise cause it to get damaged. A common accident while using concrete cutters occurs when blades break off due to the heat. These blades have tips made of hard substances like titanium, so that they can stand the constant abrasion caused by the cutting process.

Check your Blades

Before you start any concrete cutting, it is necessary to check the condition of the blades and replace them if they are worn out or have any segments missing. The core blade must not have any cracks. The blades must fit correctly and firmly into the blade holder. The saw should be run to ensure that the blade is properly aligned and there are no distortions in the movement. Raise the blade from the working surface before you do this, as otherwise you may find that you have started cuts you do not want to make.

If you are using gasoline powered engines, make sure that you have enough fuel so that the operation is not interrupted. Ensure that you put on all the necessary safety gear like goggles, dust masks, boots, ear protection and other gear. Make sure the blade faces away from you before you start the motor, and that you have firm control over the machine. Do not lower the blade onto the surface to be cut, unless the blade has reached its optimum speed.

Mark the cut that you want to make by using chalk or paint, so that it is visible to you at all times, while the sawing operation is in progress. Initially, before the cut commences, the surface of the concrete must be completely dry. Now you can lower the blade onto the surface that you want to cut, and make sure it is aligned to the cut line. There will be a lot of dust generated when you first start the cutting operation and also afterwards, and you must be prepared for this. Very large operations may use water or oil to cool the blade and also control the dust.

Tight Grip

 

cutting concrete road using

The equipment must always be grasped firmly and pressure exerted on the cut, so that it bites into the concrete and progresses further. Constantly check on whether the cut is proceeding on the required alignment by raising the blade and examining the cut, after you clear it of the dust with a blower or water. All saws will have guards and you must never raise this, without stopping the engine or switching off the power. A concrete saw is just a sturdier version of any cutting tool, and all the precautions you need when you operate smaller cutting tools, like wood saws, have to be followed even more stringently. Some saws allow you to adjust cutting depths with the simple use of adjustable flanges which need to be set to the correct depth. These flanges are normally mounted on either side of the saw, and rest on the surface being cut, to serve as a guide to the cutting depth.

Once you have completed the cutting operation or need to stop work for the day, raise the saw blade before you cut off power or stop the engine. Allow the blades to cool down and examine them for any damage that may need to be rectified or corrected. Cutting of concrete surfaces must only be taken up after the surface is cleared of all loose material, as this can fly off the fast operating saw and cause injury to others. It always makes sense to ensure that large cutting operations are properly fenced off and unauthorized personnel kept away from the cutting site.

operator and road sawing machine with complete gear
MegasawRoad Sawing, Tools

Safety Precautions in Handling Concrete Road Sawing Tools

It is a well known fact that concrete is one of the toughest materials to work with. When it comes to cutting concrete roads, powerful tools are required to ensure that the cutting is done in the right manner. There used to be a time when people had to cut through concrete using only chisel and hammer as most of the power tools were not easily available. However, cutting concrete roads has become far easier these days as power tools can easily penetrate through concrete.

When it comes to concrete road sawing, there are a lot of concrete road sawing tools available in the market. There are basic concrete road saws that are used for cutting flat work. There are also wire saws, handheld cut-off saws as well as chain saws.

It is important to realise that a concrete road saw is a very powerful tool. Therefore, it needs to be handled in a safe manner. It may look like any other power tool to an observer. However, people who actually handled road saws understand that even a minor mistake poses a big danger to them as well as people near them.

operator and road sawing machine with complete gear

All of the saws available in the market including the road saws come with standard safety instructions. It is important for any operator to follow these instructions at all times. It is essential to ensure that the guards are always well maintained and positioned in the right manner. Also, the blades should always be tight and straight. Needless to say, you must need to use the right blade with the saw. Below are some essential precautions that you should follow to acquire optimum safety when handling road saws.

Safety from Silica Dust

One of the biggest dangers in cutting concrete is the generation of silica dust. When concrete is cut with an abrasive blade or a diamond blade, it generates very fine dusts. Some of these fine dusts contain silica dust. Silica dust is very dangerous as it is fine enough to be drawn deeply into the human lungs. If you inhale high quantity of fine silica dust, it may cause silicosis.

Silicosis is a lung disease that causes lung fibrosis and there is no known cure for this. Quite a few construction workers lose their lives every year due to silicosis. Therefore, it is important that the person who is cutting concrete on a regular basis should protect himself from silica dust. It is important to keep silica on the ground and prevent it from becoming airborne. If it is not possible to keep silica on the ground, then workers should use respirators to breathe. However, wet saws or other types of vacuum systems can prevent the silica dust from getting into the air.

Blade Safety

Blade is the most important part of a concrete road saw and also the most dangerous. Almost all of the concrete cutting saws make use of diamond blades as these cut much better than the abrasive blades and these are affordable these days. The most important thing about blades is that you need to choose the right type of blade for your particular sawing job. There are both wet and dry blades available in the market and it is essential to ensure that wet blades are used with water. Dry blades can be used with or without water.

Since concrete is a very tough material, blades can get damaged on a regular basis. It is recommended to have a careful look at the blades before you start cutting with those blades. Since these blades are rotated at a very high speed, it leads to generation of a lot of heat. It is possible that already damaged blades may eject hot steel pieces that can cause injury to the operator of the saw or anyone who is standing nearby. Therefore, it is important to check that there are no damaged segments and there are no cracks in the blade. Also, you need to get a new blade if it seems that the blade has been overheated.

Prevention of Kickback and Lock in

The term kickback is used to refer to the event when the cutting saw jumps back towards the operator. There can be many causes of kickback. Usually, it happens when the operator tries to put the blade into a cut that is already started without the blade spinning at the top speed. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that the blade in the saw is at top speed before putting the blade in an existing cut. On the other hand, lock in happens due to shifting of the work piece. Therefore, one needs to ensure that it is properly clamped to prevent any lock in.

Using Protective Equipment

It is essential to wear safety glasses while cutting concrete. Also, a respirator is required when cutting dry concrete. You also need to protect your ears and therefore, ear plugs or earmuffs should be used.

Overall, concrete road saws are very powerful tools that allow one to work efficiently. However, it is important to take safety precautions seriously to prevent any kind of unfortunate incidents while working.

man concrete grinding
MegasawConcrete Grinding

The Difference between Dry and Wet Concrete Grinding Methods

If you are not very familiar with concrete grinding methods, the entire concept can be quite confusing. When dealing with this type of task, you want to be sure that you are using the best possible method for the job at hand. So, instead of sitting around wondering about the difference, continue reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about these two methods of concrete grinding.

DRY CONCRETE GRINDING

The first thing you should know is that there are two methods used in concrete grinding. These are the dry and wet concrete grinding methods. The dry concrete grinding method is used to polish concrete, whether it is for floors, walls and countertops or something else. While they both are used for the same result, the truth is that their procedures are different.
The dry grinding process is usually done using a machine that measures about 32 inches in diametre. Basically, the machine grinds a certain concrete to produce a shine. While most people think of this as an aesthetic decision, there are several other reasons that people may want to polish the concrete on their property. These include:

  • Less maintenance
  • Resistant to stains
  • Energy savings

One main issue that people have with dry grinding is that the large amount of silica dust produced during the process. Not only does this settle on everything and make it look terrible, but it’s also risky to anyone’s health. This is especially true if you are able to breathe in this dust. It can cause several respiratory illnesses including problems with asthma and bronchitis.

However, there are some grinding contractor services companies that offer a dust-free dry concrete grinding method. This is generally a big advantage especially for people who are health conscious. But, with the noticeable amount of residual dust that remains visible once the job is done, these dust-free claims are still in question. Another problem with all of the dust that lingers in the air is that it may settle inside HVAC systems, air ducts and ventilation systems or in furnaces. Again, this is very harmful to your health and it is not something that should be taken lightly.

The dust that settles in HVAC systems can have a real impact on the way the system operates. For example, all of the dust can settle and clog the system. If and when this happens, you will have to shell out a significant amount of money to get things back in order. Many people who rely on dry concrete grinding method do so because they think they are making an environmental choice. The truth is that there is really nothing about this that seems like it is eco-friendly. That is why you need a skilled and knowledgeable professional to execute this job properly.

man concrete grinding

Medical Issues

You were told a bit of information earlier about the potential of dry concrete grinding to trigger some medical problems. Now, let’s discuss more in-depth information about it. The main medical issues that people will have to contend with are silicosis and lung cancer. While modern medicine can give a cure to one of these illnesses, it would be best to err on the side of caution. Prevention is always better than cure.

When workers are completing jobs that exposed them to this dust, they are required to wear face masks in order to keep the dust at bay. Unfortunately, there are still many people who get these illnesses despite the fact that they have tried to take the steps to protect themselves.

Maintenance

While floors that have been polished will always need to be cared for, completing the polishing with a dry method means that you will not have to put in as much work. While it will not show as much wear and tear as an unpolished floor, the reality is that you will have to look forward to scratches, worn areas and a lack of shine. While this is true, dealing with floors that have not been polished means that you will have much more work to do in order to properly maintain them.

THE PROS AND CONS

PROs

  • You will have much less maintenance to do, which means that you can save time on something else
  • The finish will look shiny and sleek, which makes a world of difference
  • This is more economical than the wet grinding method

CONs

  • The concept is not as energy efficient as it claims to be
  • There is the chance that this can cause health issues
  • The lifespan of the polished area is not as great

As you can see, there are some definite advantages and disadvantages when it comes to dry concrete grinding. Now it is time to expand a bit and discuss about its counterpart -the wet grinding method.

WET CONCRETE GRINDING METHODS

This is very different from the other process simply because water is used in this method. Water keeps the diamond abrasives at a decent temperature and it prevents the dust from getting everywhere. As you were told earlier, this dust can be quite harmful. So, it is a good idea to try using a method that will prevent that from happening.

One fact about the wet concrete grinding method is that the grinding process will last for quite some time. While you may have to call a company to provide maintenance for your floors that were completed using the dry method, you may have noticed that the need for this has diminished since you have started to use the wet method.

Whether you believe it or not, most people have a huge problem dealing with the wet method. This is because when the liquid mixes up with the concrete, it creates a paste. This has to be disposed of properly or it will create a huge mess that can be hard to clean up. The good thing is that most companies that offer grinding services will provide a thorough cleanup. Therefore, you need to find a company that is very serious and takes pride in their work.

The wet grinding method is more preferable because it provides a sleeker look. However, there are some serious downsides to this choice including:

A Lengthy Process

One problem that many users have in common when it comes to wet concrete grinding is the longer process compared to the dry method. If your chosen contractor will charge you hourly for labour, this can get quite costly. The best option if you are insistent on having this method used would be to find a company that is willing to charge you a daily rate.

The Mess

You may be wondering why this is being discussed again. It’s because this is the only way to convey how huge of a problem this is. Have you ever looked inside of a concrete mixer and seen the concrete being mixed? This is not only messy, but it will take a substantial amount of time to get things back in order. Again, this is something that the contractor will be more than happy to take care of for you, as long as you have hired a reputable company that’s worth the pay.

The Cost

While this method guarantees that the polish will last longer on the floors, it also means that you will have less maintenance to worry about. As you know, the idea of having less maintenance generally means that you will have to pay a premium. Therefore, you will have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which is more important to you, saving on time or saving on money. If you would prefer the former, then wet concrete grinding would probably be the best method. However, you may be wondering how come this is true since the process can take a bit longer. The fact that you will not need as many return visits begins to even itself out.

As you can see, there are some definite disadvantages, but the benefits tend to outweigh that. Now it is time to discuss a bit about the type of projects that require one or both of these methods.

Floorings

As you already know, you can use this process to create a stunning floor that can be the envy of the neighborhood. If you have ever walked into a home and seen a designer tile floor in the foyer, it is likely that they hired someone to create this polished look. You may also have noticed these polished floors in places like courthouses and banks. It can certainly help give a room a much better look.

Countertops

If you have been thinking about buying a huge slab of concrete for a countertop, keep in mind that most of it does not come already polished. You may end up paying a ton of money for a huge slab of concrete, and then look for someone to polish it for you. Remember, it is possible to buy one that has already been polished. However, sometimes, there is a specific design you are interested in applying in your countertop. There is no other way to get it than to buy the unpolished material.

Wall Tiles

If you are a proud owner of a traditional bathroom, you know that you need to buy tile, putty and a few other things to go with it. These days more and more people are inclined to have a custom shower area. In this case, you will have to buy large slabs of concrete and have them worked on before they can be put up. This is a very expensive job and requires a skilled professional. However, doing this guarantees a durable work that can last for a long time. This makes it more than worth the money.

There are several other reasons why polished concrete is needed, but these are the most common. If you are thinking about having this done to your home or business, you will have to decide which of the two methods of concrete grinding would be more beneficial to you. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are looking for a contractor:

Quotes

Make sure that you always get a quote before hiring a certain contractor. Every contractor had their own fee rate and be sure to verify that the price you pay is the best one available. Contact the company and make appointments for quotes. Ideally, you should meet with a few people before making a final decision.

Experience

It will always be in your best interest to hire someone who knows what they are doing. Talk to the people at the company and ask how long they have been in business. If you are not given a solid answer or the rate is fairly low, you should continue on your search. There are too many available contractors out there to get sidled with one that does not know what they are doing. That will only lead to shoddy work.

References

Always ask a contractor for references. If you are told that they do not have any or they are very hesitant, this generally means that they have something to hide. You would be better off looking for someone else instead of taking a chance on them.

That is probably all you need to know to hire a great concrete grinding contractor. Always heed this advice to find the best person for the job. Keep in mind the pros and cons of each method before you decide which one is the best to use. Choose wisely and make sure that you won’t make a choice that you will regret later.

safety first
MegasawConcrete Removal

Safety Measures Necessary for Concrete Removal

Safety measures are crucial when dealing with concrete removal. Anything short of this can put a worker’s life in danger along with anyone else that is around the site. It is important to make sure all legal requirements are adhered to. Here are some of the key safety measures that have to be applied with regards to concrete removal and demolition.

safety first

Hard Hats

This is one of the most important safety measures when dealing with concrete removal. Hard hats are key because the head is the most vulnerable when carrying out this kind of work. If the head is not protected, it can be very dangerous due to the amount of falling debris a worker is exposed to.

Respirators

When removing concrete, a lot of dust is generated which is then inhaled by the workers. Thus, it is key to provide your workers with these devices which ensures they don’t breathe in construction dust but clean air.

Breathing in construction dust can become problematic especially in the long term along with the short term discomfort that will be felt. Thus, it is essential to make sure the workers are well taken care of and have access to respirators for their own benefit.

Safety Glasses

The next safety measure that is employed when it comes to concrete removal and demolition are safety glasses to ensure the worker is not only able to see better, but to ensure flying debris and particles do not injure their eyes. The worker’s eyes have to be covered at all times in this environment.

hard hat, safety shoes, and goggles

High Visibility Clothing

High visibility clothing is a must in order to ensure all parties involved are able to see each other at all times. This is done to make sure no one gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets hurt because their fellow worker did not see them. This could lead to severe injuries which could have been prevented had they been wearing high visibility clothing.

Protective Footwear

Workers are obligated to put on protective footwear in the form of steel toe safety boots at all times to protect their feet from being injured by heavy objects. Due to the heaviness of the equipment that is being used and the materials that can often get sprayed around, it is key to have these boots on at all times and not to take them off. If they are taken off, the exposed feet are likely to get injured.

Hearing Protection

There is a lot of prolonged loud noise in these work environments because of the machinery used when removing concrete. Due to the noise pollution, it is imperative they have the right kind of hearing protection. All workers are provided with high quality hearing protection to ensure they do not have their hearing damaged due to the work that is being completed. Not only is there a lot of exposure to noise, but there is continuous exposure which can cause a lot of damage to the ears.

Quality Dust Control Methods

There is a lot of dust that ends up flying about when it comes to concrete removal. It is a part of the environment that a worker is exposed to and thus it becomes important to get rid of the dust as soon as possible and to keep the air clean. The oxygen requirement for these workers is high as the air thickens due to the dust itself. There are ventilation options available along with the respirators mentioned above.

Concrete removal and demolition jobs require professionals with years of experience. There are numerous processes that take place before the worker is able to begin and this is essential when it comes to making sure they do not get injured and are not putting themselves at risk. The safety measures that have been listed here are all part of a checklist that must be followed to ensure the workers are as safe as possible at all times.