COS/Specific Substances/TBT-COS-002

Cement and Concrete Burns

COSHH & Hazardous Substances › Specific Substances › Cement and Concrete Burns

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Wet cement and concrete are highly alkaline with a pH of 12-13, capable of causing severe chemical burns to skin.
Burns from cement and concrete are painless at first — workers often do not realise damage is occurring until it is serious.
Prolonged skin contact with wet concrete can cause full-thickness burns requiring skin grafts and hospital treatment.
Chrome VI in cement causes allergic contact dermatitis — a lifelong sensitisation that can end a construction career.
Kneeling in wet concrete, concrete inside boots, and splashes to eyes are the most common exposure routes.
COSHH Regulations 2002 require a risk assessment and suitable controls for all cement and concrete work.
Waterproof gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and Wellington boots are the minimum PPE for handling wet concrete.
Barrier cream applied before work and moisturiser after washing help protect skin from cement exposure.
Eye contact with cement or concrete dust requires immediate irrigation with clean water for at least 20 minutes.
Emergency eyewash stations must be available within the immediate work area during all concrete operations.

Prevent chemical burns	Wet cement burns are painless and progressive — by the time you feel pain, serious skin damage has already occurred.
Prevent dermatitis	Chrome VI in cement causes permanent allergic dermatitis — once sensitised, you can never work with cement again.
Eye injuries	Cement dust or concrete splash in the eye causes chemical burns that can result in permanent vision loss.

Don't

Wear waterproof gloves, long sleeves, and Wellington boots when handling wet concrete.
Wash any wet cement or concrete off skin immediately with clean water.
Use barrier cream before starting work and moisturiser after washing at the end of the task.
Wear safety goggles or a face shield to prevent concrete splashes reaching your eyes.
Ensure an emergency eyewash station is available within the concrete work area.
Change out of concrete-contaminated clothing as soon as possible after the task.
Irrigate eyes with clean water for at least 20 minutes if cement or concrete enters them.
Check for early signs of dermatitis — redness, cracking, or itching on hands and forearms.
Use low-chrome cement where available to reduce the risk of allergic dermatitis.
Report any skin irritation, burns, or eye contact to your supervisor for first aid treatment.

DON'T handle wet cement or concrete without waterproof gloves and protective clothing.
DON'T allow wet concrete to remain on your skin — wash it off immediately with water.
DON'T skip barrier cream — it provides an additional layer of protection for your skin.
DON'T work with concrete without eye protection — splashes cause serious chemical burns.
DON'T pour or place concrete without an eyewash station accessible in the work area.
DON'T kneel or sit in wet concrete — it causes burns through clothing within minutes.
DON'T rub your eyes with cement-contaminated hands or gloves — irrigate with water only.
DON'T ignore dry, cracked, or itchy skin — it may be early-stage cement dermatitis.
DON'T assume concrete burns are minor — delayed treatment leads to full-thickness skin damage.
DON'T let concrete collect inside your boots or gloves — it will burn without you feeling it.

See also: Concrete Pour Safety | Skin Protection & Dermatitis

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