Safely operating a concrete block requires that you wear essential PPE, are aware of the primary hazards that cause injury, and ensure that proper safety protocols are followed if they happen. Concrete block machine safety is paramount, with OSHA reporting that 5 out of every 100 full-timer workers are injured in cement/concrete manufacturing processes.

As providers of high-quality brick and block-making machines, our team at Lontto is incredibly familiar with how to safely operate a concrete block machine. We've outlined the primary hazards, the equipment you can wear to avoid them, and the necessary precautions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The primary safety hazards of block machines are mechanical and chemical, which comprise most concrete block machine injuries.
  • When working with block machines, you should wear head, face, body, hands, feet, and hearing protection.
  • Familiarize yourself with safety procedures for pre-operation, during operation, maintenance, and emergencies.

What are the Primary Safety Hazards of Block Machines?

Block machines' primary safety hazards fall under mechanical and chemical and health risks that your employees experience as they perform their line of work. While hand injuries account for 23% of all workplace injuries, 28% of concrete block-making machine injuries are caused by handling materials, according to the CDC.

Mechanical Hazards Chemical and Health Risks
Equipment guarding failures and lockout/tagout system inadequacies Cement dust exposure causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation
Pinch or friction points in machinery and moving parts Chemical burns from wet concrete contact
Crushing hazards from concrete buckets and overhead loads Crystalline silica exposure leads to lung damage
Handling concrete mixture materials Alkaline compounds cause tissue corrosion

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health notes that 70% of block-making machine injuries take place in production areas, which makes them extremely dangerous if you are not wearing protection or aware of the proper control situations to remain safe.

What Protective Equipment Should You Wear Around Concrete Block Machines?

The protective equipment you should wear to ensure a safe working environment and avoid concrete hazards includes personal protective equipment (PPE) that covers your mouth, body, hands, feet, and hearing. These can include:

Head and Face Protection Respiratory Protection
  • Safety glasses or goggles for eye protection
  • Hard hat for overhead hazards
  • Face shields when needed for additional protection
  • P-, N-, or R-95 respirators for dust protection
  • Indirect ventless goggles if wearing contact lenses
  • Proper respiratory equipment for silica dust exposure
Body Protection Hand Protection
  • Full-body protective coveralls
  • Long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants
  • Clothing must be tucked into boots and gloves
  • Separate PPE from street clothes
  • Waterproof gloves resistant to alkaloids
  • Butyl or nitrile gloves for chemical resistance
  • Dielectric gloves when working with electrical components
Foot Protection Hearing Protection
  • Waterproof safety boots
  • Boots must be high enough to prevent concrete exposure
  • Steel-toed boots for falling object protection
  • Ear plugs or ear muffs in designated areas

Whenever possible, it's important also to clean and replace your PPE to limit your exposure to toxic or harmful chemicals. Switching wet or dry and dusty PPE, cleaning safety glasses, and storing your PPE away from your street clothes will reduce the risk of any airborne chemicals leaving the construction site. Always plan how you will safely transition from work to street clothes.

What are Safety Protocols You Should Follow When Operating a Block Machine?

safety tips for operating a block machine

how to safely operate a concrete block machine

You should follow safety protocols during every step of operating a concrete block machine, from pre-operation to any necessary lockout procedures. Here are a few essential safety protocols to follow as you operate or conduct maintenance on your block machine:

Pre-operation Safety

Ensure that your work area is clean, barriers are set up to prevent unauthorized entry, and all security measures are in place to protect you for your operation or routine maintenance. The block machine should also always be on a smooth surface before you begin.

Operational Safety

Make adjustments only when the machine is in motion. Instead, turn off power to clear malfunctions or perform active maintenance checks. Always use two workers to change molds and keep hands away from the conveyor belts that feed materials into the block machine.

Maintenance Protocols

Always inspect all the safety devices on site before operation, ensuring that the protections for material overflow are in place. While performing regular maintenance, pay special attention to the noise level for irregularities.

Emergency Procedures

When engaging in an emergency procedure, turn off the master control valve on hydraulic machines. Check that locked switches cannot be bypassed and give a loud, verbal warning before restarting the machine.

When safety measures are kept to a minimum and incidence rates are reduced, concrete block machines are the most essential piece of equipment your company can own. Invest in a high-production and affordable brick or block-making machine — start with a free quote from Lontto today.

FAQs on How To Safely Operate A Concrete Block Machine? 

What PPE is required for cutting concrete?

PPE required for cutting concrete includes HEPA-filtered respiratory equipment, face shield, knee pads, and hearing protection that meets OSHA noise protection standards. A minor detail that many workers may forget is that all clothing must be tucked into boots and gloves to stop the operator from coming into contact with contaminants.

What are the dangers of cement dust hazards?

The effect of cement dust on human health cannot be understated, with dangers including chronic bronchitis, liver damage, cancer risks, and bone tissue side effects, according to the National Library of Medicine. While there are many pouring concrete hazards to watch out for, cement dust is a hidden killer in concrete manufacturing.

Back to Top: Safety Protocol Around A Concrete Block-Making Machine

chao zhang

Author: Chao Zhang

I am Chao Zhang, I have been working in the brick making industry for over 10 years. I have a deep understanding and research on various models of block making machines, especially automatic brick machines, concrete block machines, compressed earth block machines, clay brick machines, cement brick machines. I have a special understanding of this industry. I can help my clients choose the suitable brick machine and assist them in designing and building a brick production factory. If you want to know everything about brick making machines, please contact me. I am happy to help you.