HSE Press Release E225:02 - 4 December 2002
New HSE information sheet on the safe use of cement.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published revised guidance on the safe use of cement in the construction industry.

Cement - Construction Information Sheet No 26 (revision 2) gives advice on the risks from cement and how to control them. The new HSE information sheet is aimed at anyone working with or supervising the use of cement in construction.

Mike Cosman, head of the HSE's Construction Sector, said:
"Although the law requires welfare facilities, such as toilets and running hot water, on construction sites, many sites overlook this. Hot water is essential for anyone who could come into contact with wet cement. If not washed off quickly and thoroughly, it can lead to severe burns and allergic dermatitis, both of which can be severely disabling. I urge everyone working with cement in the construction industry to get a copy of this free information sheet and ensure the safe use of this potentially hazardous building material."

About 450 construction workers a year develop allergic dermatitis and about 1 in 10 bricklayers leave the industry after developing it. Once developed, an allergy to cement is permanent.

The new HSE information sheet includes advice on simple preventative steps that can be taken, including:

• Keep cement off your skin. Employers should provide personal protective equipment and workers should use it
• If it does get on your skin, wash it off quickly and thoroughly
• If you get any skin reddening or irritation, seek medical advice
• Employers should provide regular health surveillance, which tries to detect any problems early enough to treat them

This Information Sheet replaces an earlier edition that is now out of print. It supports the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.