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Equipment Refueling
Gasoline and fuel oils are highly flammable and if handled improperly, these substances can make refueling equipment a
dangerous task. Be AWARE of the hazards present and follow prevention steps to avoid an incident on your site.
Hazards
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Fuel spills can occur due to inattention of the fuel attendant, or improperly maintained equipment, resulting in a fire
and explosion hazard.
Fuel pills cause damage to the environment.
Improper fueling techniques, or an engine left running may cause fire, explosion, or spill.
Smoking while fueling can cause a fire or explosion.
Filling unapproved containers can result in static electricity charge, resulting in fire or explosion.
Using improperly maintained hoses, pumps or nozzles can cause fire or explosion.
Inhalation of low levels of gasoline fumes may cause nausea, eye and throat irritation.
Inhalation of high levels of fumes can result in dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, drowsiness and in-coordination.
Gasoline spilled on the body for prolonged time can cause severe burns.
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Prevention
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Always concentrate on the task at hand and ensure equipment is properly maintained.
Have a spill kit available and workers trained in its use in case of a spill.
Never fill an unapproved container.
Maintain all pumps, hoses, and nozzles in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
Do not overfill the fuel tank.
On hot days allow for the fuel to expand to avoid overfilling.
Do not use electronic devices, such as cell phones or MP3
players while fuelling, as a spark could cause ignition.
Always turn off the engine before fuelling equipment.
Never smoke while refueling or refuel near any open flame.
Ensure a fire extinguisher is present in the fuelling station.
Ensure fuelling stations are set up in well ventilated areas.
Remove any clothing that has absorbed gasoline and wash
from your body thoroughly.
www.mhca.mb.ca
ST 025-11 September 2011
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Diesel Fuel and Exhaust
Diesel fuel and exhaust can pose serious threats to your health and safety. Review the hazards and prevention
methods below.
Hazards
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When burned, diesel creates an exhaust composed of soot and unused fumes. This
soot can contain up to 40 different toxic compounds.
 Inhaled short term exposure to diesel vapors can cause irritation of the eyes,
skin or respiratory tract, headache or nausea.
 Long term exposure to vapors has been linked to kidney damage, and an
increased risk of heart attack.
 Short term exposure can result in asthma like symptoms, skin and eye irritation.
High levels over a prolonged exposure to can cause lung disease, heart disease,
and immune system disorders.
 Diesel fuel is not as flammable as gasoline or other common fuels (such as
ethanol or propane) but it can catch fire and can be very difficult to extinguish.
 As fuel moves through pipelines and nozzle systems, it has the capability to
accumulate a static electrical charge. This could cause explosion or fire,
particularly when gasoline fueling stations, which are highly flammable, are
nearby.
 Skin absorption can occur very easily, and may cause skin irritation, redness and even burns. If the diesel is not cleaned off,
it will absorb into the skin and cause symptoms identical to inhalation.
Prevention
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When fueling diesel powered vehicles or machinery, do so in a well ventilated area.
Maintain diesel vehicles and routinely check emission control devices
If vehicles must be used indoors or in enclosed spaces, extra ventilation should be provided to remove diesel exhaust
 Ensure above ground tanks have a collection dam installed to prevent spills
 Ensure diesel pipeline systems are properly installed, grounded, and bonded, and fuel and
additives are properly mixed.
 Wear gloves when working with diesel. Viton gloves have been shown to be most effective
in protecting against diesel exposure. Do not use vinyl or butyl rubber gloves with diesel, as
they offer no protection
www.mhca.mb.ca
ST 026-11 September 2011
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Health Hazards of Cement
Cement is commonly used on construction sites in wide application, including road building. It is important to
remember that cement is a chemical and can pose a threat to your health. Below are the hazards cement poses to
your health, and prevention methods to avoid them.
Hazards
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 Cement contains alkaline compounds such as lime (calcium oxide).
 Burns as severe as third degree can occur if skin or clothing are in contact with
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cement.
Bleed water absorbed on a worker’s clothing can cause severe burns.
Cement dust from cutting, sanding or emptying bags and exposed body sweat
can form a caustic solution cause burns.
Dust contains trace amounts of crystalline silica. Short term inhalation
exposure can cause irritation to the nose and throat, choking, and difficulty
breathing. Prolonged or repeated inhalation exposure can lead to a lung
disease called silicosis, with symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, and
weight loss.
A small percentage of workers develop allergies to the trace amounts of
chromium contained in cement. The respiratory allergy is called occupational
asthma and causes symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Chromium skin allergy symptoms can range from a mild rash to severe skin
ulcers. The allergy can develop unexpectedly after years of exposure, and
conditions will get worse slowly until a severe reaction occurs.
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 To protect skin from cement and cement mixtures, workers should always wear personal protective equipment that fully
covers all parts of the body.
 Ensure specialty PPE, such as dust masks or safety glasses are available and used when dust hazards are present in a task.
 Ensure all employees have WHMIS training, and know where to access information on cement used on site.
 Wet-cut rather than dry-cut masonry products.
 Mix dry cement in well-ventilated areas and always ensure to work upwind from dust sources.
 Work in ways that minimize the amount of cement dust released, such as having different sized cement
blocks on hand to avoid cutting.
 When kneeling on fresh concrete, use a dry board or waterproof kneepads to protect knees
from water that can soak through fabric. Clothing contaminated by wet cement should be
quickly removed.
 Skin in contact with wet cement should be washed immediately with large amounts of cool,
clean water.
www.mhca.mb.ca
ST 027-11 September 2011
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Concrete and Rebar Hazards
Concrete can pose a safety and health hazard. It is important to know these hazards and how to prevent them
from injuring you or a fellow worker. Review this toolbox talk to learn how to protect your safety.
Hazards
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The most common ingredient in concrete is
cement. Skin contact with cement can cause
severe burns.
When dust particles are breathed in during cutting
or chipping, this can pose many health issues
including occupational asthma, lung disease, and
increased risk of heart attack. Refer to Safety Talk
027-11 for more information.
Concrete is incredibly heavy, one cubic meter
weighs more than a pickup truck. This creates a
hazard during material handling and when hoisting
using cranes or booms.
Rebar is sharp and can cut or impale workers if
they strike against or fall onto it.
Wet concrete conducts electricity. If a source of
electricity, such as a power tool, comes in contact with wet concrete, electrocution may occur.
Prevention
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Always wear gloves, eye protection, and other prescribed personal protective equipment.
If skin is in contact with concrete, wash the area thoroughly.
Follow your company’s safe lifting practices when manually handling concrete.
Never ride in concrete buckets or work under a concrete bucket that is suspended from a crane or boom.
When placing and securing reinforcing steel in walls, always use fall protection devices.
Rebar that is vertically protruding is extremely hazardous. Fall protection in these areas is essential to protect against
falls.
 When using powered equipment, make sure control switches automatically shut off when your hands are
removed from the handles. Never by-pass or disable the automatic shut off with tie downs or any other method.
 Ensure ready-mix truck wheels are blocked and the brakes are set to prevent movement
when discharging concrete on a slope.
 Always check hand and power equipment to ensure it is in safe working condition before
use. Replace or repair all defective equipment.
www.mhca.mb.ca
ST 028-11 September 2011