Health & Safety Advice

The following information is some basic health & safety good practice. It is not exhaustive and is issued in good faith for guidance purposes only.

Wear protective clothing.

Footwear

Paving slabs are heavy - wear safety boots with steel toe caps and a pierce resistant sole.

When working with wet concrete, wear steel toe cap Wellington Boots. Standard boots that become saturated in wet cementitious materials can result in severe cement burns on the feet.

Gloves

Paving materials have sharp edges and if handled without gloves can cause skin cuts and grazes which are susceptible to infection.
Cement in concrete or pointing mortar can cause burns on contact with skin. Always wear rubberised protective gloves when handling such materials and if contact with any cementitious material does occur wash hands thoroughly immediately.

Face Mask

Inhalation of any dust should be avoided. It is particularly important not to inhale cement dust, which can seriously damage your lungs. When using power saws to cut stone or concrete paving, it is essential to use a dust suppression method. and you must ALWAYS wear a particulate dust mask. Suitable masks will comply to EN143 or EN149. Cements and brick dust are classed as fine dusts. Cutting paving slabs, kerb stones or other concrete or stone products produces enormous amounts of dust. This dust will contain some very fine dust called respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Exposure to RCS dust can cause serious health problems which may eventually prove to be fatal.

Eye Protection

This is especially important when cutting paving materials with hand tools, block splitters or power saws. If cement splashes into eyes, flush with water and seek medical attention immediately.

Overalls

Work wear will protect exposed skin from cements, and reduce the risk of cuts, grazes and abrasions. Beware of loose clothing, especially when working with power tools.

Head Protection

Wear a hard hat if working on a job with overhead scaffolding and when working in trenches.

We recommend that all landscapers follow all relevant safety training and guidance issued by plant hirers and attend a relevant H&S course.