Concrete drilling is a dangerous job. There’s a reason that you should only trust highly-trained professionals to handle the job for you. Failure to follow the proper drilling procedures can get people and property significantly damaged. Bearing this in mind, there are certain parts of the job that should warrant more concern than others. Here are some of the greatest dangers that can come from concrete drilling.
Kickback Injuries
Many people who try concrete drilling believe they can do the job with a standard drill. This is not true. A regular drill is often not efficient enough to get the job done. Concrete drilling requires the use of specialized gear that only professionals use. Using a run-of-the-mill drill can result in jams or even kickback injuries. You want to be as safe as you can when working with concrete, which is why we recommend hiring a concrete drilling company to handle everything for you. They’ll have the tools to do the job safely and efficiently.
Hidden Hazards
Among all of the tools used during concrete drilling, one of the most vital tools is ground penetrating radar (GPR). With GPR, you can unveil all sorts of underground obstructions that could negatively impact progress during your concrete drilling project. Obstructions such as rebar, loose electrical wiring, and pockets of gas and water can set your project back if you run into them. If you know where the obstructions are located, you’ll know how to avoid them and continue working with no trouble.
Dust Accumulation
As small as dust can seem, it actually becomes a big area of concern. Dust serves as a choking hazard for workers if workers don’t have the right ventilation equipment and masks to protect them. That’s why you should only hire concrete drilling contractors that have all of the necessary safety equipment. You don’t want the people working for you to have any health concerns pop up. You want them to be able to work safely and efficiently for the entire project.
Instability
While concrete slabs are usually stable, they can become unstable when they are being cut down. It’s important to know all of the weak points in the concrete slabs before making any incisions. This keeps people from hurting themselves while cutting into the concrete. Ask your concrete drilling company about their work procedures to see if they take precautions to avoid injuries. If the company doesn’t mention accounting for these types of risks, you might want to find another company.
Concrete Visions Will Get The Job Done Right
Concrete Visions has been working with clients for over 25 years. Our G&M Services installers are certified with the industry’s major firestop product manufacturers. As part of our firestop service, we can assess abnormal field conditions and, with the manufacturer’s technical support assistance, provide engineering judgments in a timely fashion to comply with contract specifications. Our Field Mechanics undergo ongoing training, including mandatory monthly safety meetings, weekly Toolbox Talks where safety and equipment information is shred, and trainings on safe work standards and safety best practices.