Concrete grinders are tools used to remove paint, glue or other surface coatings. These grinders come in both hand-held models and floor models, and most are gas or propane powered, negating the need of a wall outlet. While the concrete grinder is a tool that is much needed and used quite often, using one can cause a potential danger. The grinding and cleaning of concrete causes dust to be dispersed into the air. When the dust is breathed into the lungs, it can pose a serious danger to the human body.
Dust created from using a concrete grinder can be a serious health hazard. Many contractors who must use these tools or who must be involved in concrete saw cutting methods, face developing the disease called silicosis. This is a disease of the lungs caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. Contractors and construction workers may be subjected to this type of dust in many different situations. Sever exposure to crystalline silica dust can happen during abrasive sand blasting procedures to remove rust and paint from buildings and bridges. Exposure can also happen while boring through rock to drill a well or using power saws and grinders to cut through concrete.
Silicosis is also known as grinder’s disease. This is because a large number of people who contract this disease have done so by operating machinery such as concrete polishers and concrete grinders. There are over two million U.S. employees who are under the potential threat of silica exposure. At this time, there is no cure for this disease, which can be fatal. There are however, precautions that can be taken in order to protect individuals using tools such as concrete tile saws, grinders or the concrete cut off saw. Precautions vary from using face masks to dust extractors that will pull the dust away from the operator.
Concrete grinders and concrete powers saws are construction tools that are widely used and much needed in the construction industry. Without these tools, materials such as marble, concrete and granite could not be leveled, cleaned or smoothed, when needed. While there is no adequate replacement for what these tools can do, using them produces a dust that can be harmful to the lungs. Steps should be taken to make sure that the dust that develops is immediately removed from the work area.
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