COSHH · Mandatory · Pre-Construction
COSHH Assessment — Cement and Concrete
This COSHH assessment covers the health risks from cement and concrete products including dermatitis from skin contact with wet cement, respiratory irritation from cement dust, and chromium VI sensitisation. It mandates the use of barrier creams, waterproof gloves, and dust suppression measures during mixing and cutting operations.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. COSHH Regs 2002 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
| Key hazards | Cement dermatitis (allergic and irritant contact dermatitis); respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from dry cement and concrete cutting; wet concrete alkaline burns (pH 12-13, causes full-thickness burns through prolonged skin contact) |
| Chrome VI | Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is a skin sensitiser and a Group 1 carcinogen. Present in Portland cement. Reducing agents are added to EU/UK cement to lower Cr VI content below 2 ppm, but this protection degrades over time. Check bag date and storage conditions. |
| Skin exposure | Skin contact is the critical exposure route for cement. Wet concrete can cause alkaline burns that develop hours after contact and can burn through clothing. Kneeling in wet concrete without waterproof protection has caused full-thickness burns requiring skin grafts. |
| RPE for dust | Minimum FFP2 for general cement dust. FFP3 required where respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is generated (cutting, grinding, scabbling, dry sweeping). All RPE must be face-fit tested. |
| Health surveillance | Skin checks for dermatitis (baseline and periodic, typically 6-monthly). Lung function testing (spirometry) where there is exposure to RCS above the action level. Workers must be trained to recognise early signs of cement dermatitis and report symptoms immediately. |
1. Hazards of Cement and Concrete Work
Cement and concrete present three distinct health hazards that must each be assessed separately under COSHH. The first is skin damage: wet cement is highly alkaline (pH 12-13) and causes both irritant contact dermatitis from repeated exposure and alkaline chemical burns from prolonged contact. The second is respiratory damage: dry cement dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) generated during cutting, grinding, or scabbling of cured concrete can cause silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. The third is sensitisation: hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) present in Portland cement is a potent skin sensitiser that causes allergic contact dermatitis, which is irreversible once sensitisation has occurred.
The severity of cement-related skin disease in construction is significant. HSE data shows that cement dermatitis is one of the most commonly reported occupational skin diseases in the construction sector. Alkaline burns from wet concrete are particularly insidious because they are painless initially and may not become apparent until hours after exposure, by which time full-thickness burns may have developed. Workers who kneel in wet concrete, allow wet cement to remain in contact with skin through wet clothing, or handle cement without waterproof gloves are at highest risk.
The COSHH assessment for cement and concrete work must address all three hazard categories (skin, respiratory, sensitisation), all exposure routes (skin contact, inhalation, eye contact), and all activities where exposure occurs (mixing, placing, finishing, cutting, grinding, scabbling, chasing, dry sweeping). Each activity presents a different exposure profile and may require different controls.
Wet concrete burns through clothing
Wet concrete that soaks through clothing or gets inside boots and gloves causes alkaline burns that are painless at first. Workers may not realise they have been burned until several hours later, by which time the damage can be severe — including full-thickness burns that require hospital treatment and skin grafts. Kneeling in wet concrete, even briefly, without waterproof knee pads and waterproof trousers is a high-risk activity. The COSHH assessment must specify waterproof barriers (not absorbent fabric) for all body areas in contact with wet cement or concrete.
2. Silica Dust in Cement Work
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a Group 1 carcinogen with a workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Concrete typically contains 25-30% silica by weight. Any activity that generates fine dust from cured concrete — cutting, grinding, scabbling, chasing, drilling, or dry sweeping — produces airborne RCS. The WEL is extremely low and is easily exceeded during uncontrolled cutting or grinding operations. The COSHH assessment must identify every activity that generates RCS and specify dust suppression or extraction controls for each.
| Activity | RCS exposure risk | Primary controls | RPE requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry cutting concrete (disc cutter, angle grinder) | Very high. Cutting concrete with a disc cutter without water suppression can produce RCS concentrations many times the WEL within seconds. This is one of the highest-exposure activities on a construction site. | Water suppression on all cutting tools is mandatory. On-tool dust extraction where water is not practicable. Never dry cut concrete. | FFP3 minimum in addition to water suppression. Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) recommended for prolonged or frequent cutting. |
| Mixing dry cement / concrete | High. Opening and pouring bags of dry cement generates a visible dust cloud containing both cement dust and RCS. Mixing in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas significantly increases exposure. | Use pre-mixed or ready-mixed products where possible. Where dry mixing is necessary, work outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Use low-dust transfer methods. Dampen down. | FFP2 minimum for occasional mixing outdoors. FFP3 for frequent mixing or mixing in enclosed areas. |
| Scabbling (mechanical surface removal) | High. Scabbling removes the surface layer of cured concrete using pneumatic or electric tools, generating high volumes of fine dust including RCS. | On-tool dust extraction. Water suppression. Enclose the work area where practicable and use extraction ventilation. | FFP3 minimum. PAPR recommended for extended scabbling operations. |
| Rendering / plastering with cementitious products | Moderate. Mixing renders and cementitious plasters generates dust during the dry mixing phase. Application generates lower dust levels but skin contact with wet product is the primary hazard during application. | Use factory-mixed renders where available. Where site mixing is necessary, use low-dust transfer methods and work in ventilated areas. Waterproof gloves and skin protection for application. | FFP2 during mixing. Generally not required during wet application unless in enclosed space. |
3. Common Mistakes
Relying on barrier cream as the primary skin protection
Barrier cream is not a substitute for waterproof gloves. It does not prevent alkaline burns from wet cement, it does not prevent chromium sensitisation, and it provides no measurable protection against prolonged contact. Barrier cream may be used as part of a skin care regime (pre-work conditioning and post-work moisturising) but must never be listed as the primary control for skin contact with cement or concrete. The primary controls are waterproof gloves, waterproof clothing, and minimising skin contact.
Ignoring the alkalinity risk of wet concrete
Many COSHH assessments for concrete work focus on the dust hazard and silica exposure but fail to address the alkaline burn risk from wet cement and concrete. Wet concrete has a pH of 12-13, which is strongly alkaline and causes chemical burns on prolonged skin contact. The assessment must address skin contact with wet product as a separate and significant hazard, specifying waterproof barriers for all exposed skin and immediate wash facilities within easy reach of the work area.
Not checking Chrome VI content or cement bag date
EU and UK regulations require cement manufacturers to add reducing agents that lower the hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) content below 2 parts per million. However, these reducing agents degrade over time, particularly if the cement is stored in damp conditions. Cement that has exceeded its shelf life or been stored improperly may have Cr VI levels above the limit. The COSHH assessment should address checking bag dates and storage conditions. Out-of-date cement should not be used without verifying that Cr VI levels are within limits.
Dry cutting concrete without dust control
Cutting cured concrete with a disc cutter, angle grinder, or chasing tool without water suppression or on-tool extraction is one of the highest-exposure activities on a construction site. RCS concentrations can exceed the WEL (0.1 mg/m³) many times over within seconds of cutting. Despite this, dry cutting is still commonly observed on sites, often because water is seen as inconvenient or because operatives are unaware of the silica risk. The COSHH assessment must explicitly prohibit dry cutting and specify the dust control method for each cutting activity.
No skin surveillance programme for cement-exposed workers
Health surveillance for dermatitis is required under COSHH Regulation 11 for workers with regular skin contact with cement. This means a baseline skin assessment at the start of employment or task, followed by periodic reviews (typically 6-monthly). Many sites omit this entirely or rely on workers self-reporting symptoms. By the time a worker reports cement dermatitis, the condition may already be chronic or, in the case of Cr VI sensitisation, irreversible. Proactive skin surveillance with trained assessors identifies early changes before they become permanent.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
What type of gloves should be used for handling cement and concrete?▾
Waterproof gloves are essential. Nitrile gloves (minimum 0.38 mm thickness) or PVC gauntlets are suitable for wet concrete work. Fabric or leather gloves are not adequate because they absorb wet cement and hold it against the skin, increasing rather than decreasing the burn risk. For extended work, longer gauntlet-style gloves that cover the wrist and forearm should be used. Gloves should be checked for damage before each use and replaced when punctured or torn. Where fine dexterity is needed (e.g. finishing work), thinner nitrile gloves may be used but must be checked more frequently for integrity.
What RPE is required for mixing cement and cutting concrete?▾
For mixing dry cement in open-air conditions with reasonable ventilation, a minimum FFP2 disposable respirator is required. For cutting, grinding, or scabbling cured concrete, a minimum FFP3 disposable respirator is required because of the respirable crystalline silica (RCS) content. All disposable RPE must be face-fit tested to the individual wearer. For prolonged or frequent cutting operations, a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with P3 filter is recommended because it provides a higher protection factor and is more comfortable for extended wear. Water suppression or on-tool extraction must always be used in addition to RPE — RPE is never the sole control for silica dust.
Is cement covered by COSHH or by separate regulation?▾
Cement is covered by COSHH. There is no separate regulation for cement. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) applies to all substances that can harm health, including cement, wet concrete, cement dust, and the respirable crystalline silica generated by cutting or grinding cured concrete. The COSHH assessment for cement must address all the hazardous components — alkalinity (pH), hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), and silica — and all the exposure routes — skin contact, inhalation, and eye contact.
Does the Chrome VI limit apply to all cement used in the UK?▾
Yes. The UK adopted the EU requirement (REACH Annex XVII, entry 47) that cement and cement-containing preparations must not be placed on the market or used if they contain, when hydrated, more than 2 mg/kg (0.0002%) of soluble chromium VI of the total dry weight of the cement. This applies to all Portland cement products. However, the reducing agents added by manufacturers to achieve this limit degrade over time (typically 6-12 months depending on storage conditions). Cement that has been stored for extended periods, particularly in damp or warm conditions, may have Cr VI levels that have risen above the limit. The COSHH assessment should address shelf life and storage conditions.
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