Ready‐mix Concrete

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture

Category 1A Carcinogen Category 1 Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT) following repeated exposures Category 1 Eye Damage Category 2 Skin Irritant

Signal word

DANGER HAZARDS OVERVIEW: Skin and eye exposure to the wet material may occur without protective clothing and/or personal protective equipment. Extended exposure to skin and eyes must be avoided since it may cause serious caustic, alkaline burns and tissue damage, which is potentially irreversible. Respirable crystalline silica exposure is unlikely when handling the wet, unhardened ready‐mix concrete. However, cutting, sawing, grinding, or crushing hardened concrete will likely produce airborne dust containing respirable crystalline silica posing an inhalation hazard. Avoid breathing dust created from the breaking of hardened concrete. Long‐term overexposure to respirable crystalline silica in the workplace may cause lung damage and silicosis. Crystalline silica is listed as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) by the IARC and NTP.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Skin and/or eye contact ADDITIONAL ROUTE(S) OF EXPOSURE: Inhalation EYE CONTACT: Must be avoided. Eye contact with wet, unhardened ready‐mix concrete may cause immediate irritation or alkaline burns and require immediate first aid and possible medical attention to prevent serious damage. SKIN CONTACT: Contact with wet, unhardened concrete should be avoided. Short‐term exposure may cause dry skin, discomfort, and irritation. Longer‐term, prolonged exposure may cause serious alkaline burns and dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis may be caused by alkalinity and the abrasiveness of the concrete. Some people may experience more serious skin allergy ranging from a mild rash to more serious scaling, cracking, or ulceration of the skin. Exposed persons may not feel discomfort until hours after the exposure has ended. SKIN ABSORPTION: Not expected. INGESTION: Not likely but should not be ingested. Small amounts may cause temporary irritation. Large amounts could result in more serious caustic, alkaline burns. INHALATION: Not likely while handling wet, unhardened material, but should be avoided by using personal protective equipment, if necessary. Dust generated during breaking of hardened concrete may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs and should be avoided due to the dust containing respirable crystalline silica (quartz). Prolonged inhalation to respirable crystalline silica may cause silicosis. See Section 8 for exposure thresholds.