October 2011 Health and Safety Information Portland …

1 DATA SHEETH ealth and Safety Information Portland cement (BS EN 197-1:CEM I)CEMENTCI/SfBOctober 2011Yq2 Portland CEMENTl PAGE 11. IDENTIFICATION OF THESUBSTANCE/PREPARATIONAND OF THE Identification of thesubstance/preparationAn odourless white to grey powder mainlyinsoluble in water. When water is added itbecomes a binder for constructionapplications. This datasheet applies to thefollowing cements: Mastercrete PC-RM PC-CP PC Ferrocrete Snowcrete Procem Use of the substance/preparationCommon cement is used as a hydraulic binderfor the production of concrete, mortars, grouts, Company identificationLafarge cement United KingdomPortland HouseBickenhill LaneBirmingham B37 7 BQTechnical helpline: 0845 812 6232 Email: Emergency telephoneEmergency telephone number available duringoffice hours: Tel 0845 812 6232 Emergency telephone number available outsideoffice hours: No3.

2 COMPOSITION/INFORMATIONON Chemical compositionCommon cement types according to the EN197-1 (Common cements) and EN 197-4(Blast furnace cements) standards. Theprincipal constituents of these cements arecalcium silicates, aluminates, ferro-aluminatesand sulfates. Small amounts of alkalis, lime,magnesia and chlorides are also presenttogether with trace amounts of chromiumcompounds. Additional constituents may alsobe present - eg, fly ash, limestone, clay andgranulated blast furnace Components presenting a healthhazardContains less than 1% crystalline HAZARD IDENTIFICATIONWhen cement reacts with water, for instancewhen making concrete or mortar, or when thecement becomes damp, a strong alkalinesolution is Hazard characterisationR37/38 Irritating to respiratorysystem and skinR41 Risk of serious damage to eyesR43 May cause sensitisation by Primary route(s) of entryInhalation:YesSkin - eyes:YesIngestion:No, except in accidental Human healthInhalation.

3 Frequent inhalation of largequantities of cement dust over a long period oftime increases the risk of developing :Eye contact with cement (dry or wet)may cause serious and potentially : cement may have an irritating effect onmoist skin (due to transpiration or humidity)after prolonged contact. Prolonged skin contactwith wet cement or fresh concrete may causeserious burns because they develop withoutpain being felt (for example when kneeling infresh concrete even when wearing trousers).Repeated skin contact with wet cement maycause contact dermatitis. For more details seeReference (1). EnvironmentUnder normal use, the product is not expectedto be hazardous to the CementClinkerConcentration range5 100%(by weight in cement )EINECS266-043-4 CAS65997-15-1 SymbolXi(C&L)RR37R38R41R43 Health AND Safety Portland CEMENTPAGE 2l Portland CEMENT4.

4 FIRST AID MEASURESWhen contacting a physician, take thissafety datasheet with After significant accidentalinhalationMove person to fresh air. Dust in throat andnasal passages should clear a physician if irritation persists orlater develops or if discomfort, coughing orother symptoms do not After contact with eyesDo not rub eyes, as additional corneadamage is possible by mechanical any contact lenses and open theeyelid(s) widely to flush eye(s) immediatelyby thoroughly rinsing with plenty of cleanwater for at least 45 minutes to remove allparticles. If possible, use isotonic water( NaCl). Contact a specialist ofoccupational medicine or an eye After skin contactFor dry cement , remove and rinseabundantly with water.

5 For wet cement ,wash skin with water. Remove contaminatedclothing, footwear, watches, etc, and cleanthoroughly before re-using them. Seekmedical treatment in all cases of irritationor After significant accidentalingestionDo not induce vomiting. If person isconscious, wash out mouth with water andgive plenty of water to drink. Get immediatemedical attention or contact anti FIRE-FIGHTING Flashpoint and methodCements are non-combustible and non-explosive and will not facilitate nor supportcombustion of other Extinguishing mediaAll types of extinguishing media are Fire fighting equipmentCement poses no fire-related hazards.

6 No needfor specialist protective equipment for Combustion Flammable limits: Lower explosionlimit LEL Upper explosion limit UELNot ACCIDENTAL Personal protective measuresWear protective equipment as described underHeading 8 and follow the advice for safehandling and use given under Heading procedures are not Environment protection measuresDo not wash cement down sewage anddrainage systems or into bodies of water (eg,streams). Methods for cleaning upRecover the spillage in a dry state if cement : Use dry cleanup methods that donot cause airborne dispersion - eg: Vacuum cleaner (Industrial portable units,equipped with high efficiency particulatefilters (HEPA filter) or equivalent technique).

7 Wipe up the dust by mopping, wet brushingor water sprays or hoses (fine mist to avoidthe dust becoming airborne) and removeslurry. If not possible, remove by slurryingwith water (see Wet cement ).When wet cleaning or vacuum cleaning is notpossible and only dry cleaning with brushescan be done, ensure that the workers wearappropriate personal protective equipment andprevent dust from inhalation of cement and contact withskin. Place spilled materials into a before disposal as described underHeading cement : Clean up wet cement and place in a container. Allow material to dry andsolidify before disposal as described underHeading HANDLING AND STORAGEDo not handle or store near food and beveragesor smoking HandlingFollow the recommendations as given underHeading dust development: For (bagged) cement used in open-endedmixers: first add the water and then carefullyadd the cement .

8 Keep the height of the falllow. Start the mixing smoothly. Do notcompress empty bags, except whencontained in another clean bag. To clean up dry cement , see heading cement bags may cause sprains andstrains to the back, arms, shoulders and with care and use appropriate StorageBulk cement should be stored in silos that arewaterproof, dry (internal condensationminimised), clean and protected hazard:To prevent burial orsuffocation, do not enter a confined space,such as a silo, bin, bulk truck, or other storagecontainer or vessel that stores or containscement without taking the proper securitymeasures. cement can build up or adhere tothe walls of a confined space.

9 The cement canrelease, collapse or fall products should be stored in unopenedbags clear of the ground in cool, dry conditionsand protected from excessive draught in orderto avoid degradation of should be stacked in a stable Control of soluble Cr (VI)For cements treated with a Cr (VI) reducingagent according to the regulations given inHeading 15, the effectiveness of the reducingagent diminishes with time. Therefore cementbags and/or delivery documents will containinformation on the period of time ( shelf life )for which the manufacturer has establishedthat the reducing agent will continue tomaintain the level of soluble Cr (VI) below theimposed limit of , according to EN197-10.

10 They will also indicate the appropriatestorage conditions for maintaining theeffectiveness of the reducing Exposure limit values (WorkplaceExposure Limits (WEL))WEL 8hr Time Weighted Average (TWA): Total inhalable dust 10mg/m3 Respirable dust 4 Exposure Occupational exposure controlsGeneral:During work avoid kneeling in fresh mortar or concrete wherever kneeling is absolutely necessary thenappropriate waterproof personal protectiveequipment must be not eat, drink or smoke when workingwith cement to avoid contact with skin ormouth. Immediately after working withcement or cement -containing materials,workers should wash or shower or use skinmoisturisers.