1. Construction Safety Talks
Working With Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
Asphalt You already know that the asphalt we use for paving can burn
Products because it is kept between 250° and 325° F. But what about other
hazards from the gases and vapors given off by solvents and
No. 76 binders used in the asphalt mix?
So What Are Some Of The Other Hazards?
How This Talk
Fire: Asphalt products are flammable.
Applies To My Skin And Eye Contact: Some people have skin reactions and
Crew: rashes from contact with asphalt; usually a condition similar to
acne. Eyes can also become irritated from asphalt vapors or from
touching your eyes with asphalt on your hands.
Breathing: When asphalt products are heated, a mixture of
chemical vapors is produced which can irritate your nose, throat,
or lungs. Upon breathing high levels of vapors from asphalt, you
may first notice a cough, scratchy throat, or upper respiratory
irritation. Studies of workers that have worked around asphalt for
many years have reported an increase of subjective symptoms of
bronchitis. At this time, no health agency has listed the vapors
and fumes of asphalt as causing lung disease or cancer, however,
excessive breathing of fumes can cause dizziness, convulsions,
coma, or death. Overheating asphalt may release hydrogen
sulfide, a very toxic gas.
Asphalt Ingredients That Can Cause Problems.
Asphalt is originally solid or semi-solid. It is blended or “cut” with a
solvent to make it more liquid. Solvents like naphtha, toluene, and
xylene are hazardous. Other chemicals are used in asphalt
products as binders, hardening agents, and bonding agents.
Heating asphalt causes all these chemicals plus many others to be
released into the air. And don’t forget aggregate such as crushed
rock and sand. New materials such as resins and recycled rubber
have appeared recently and may add new hazards.
Ways To Work Safely With Asphalt.
• Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the
product. MSDSs are required by law. They will tell you the
ingredients and list any health and safety hazards.
Everyone working on the site has a right to see the MSDS
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2. • Check the label (if available). Look for a list of ingredients or a safety warning
• Avoid breathing the vapors from heated asphalt. Never stick your head in an
asphalt tank or mixing container. Stay upwind from hot asphalt if possible.
• Stop what you’re doing if you notice symptoms. Ask your foreman for advice.
• Keep asphalt off your skin and out of your eyes. If you do get asphalt in your
eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes.
• Don’t eat, drink, or smoke on the job. Anything you put in your mouth could have
been contaminated by asphalt. Wash up first.
Personal Protective Equipment.
• Thermally insulated gloves to keep asphalt from burning or irritating your skin.
Cotton or leather gloves won’t work as solvents may soak through them.
• Coveralls or a long sleeve shirt and long pants without cuffs. Keep your sleeves
rolled down and close your collar.
• Steel-toed safety shoes.
• A face shield, not just safety glasses. Protect both your eyes and your face.
• A respirator if your exposure to fumes, gases, or vapors may be higher than the
PEL (check the MSDS). Explain that employees cannot just use any respirator.
Proper respirator use must follow the company’s respiratory protection program.
Preventing Fires And Explosions.
• Don’t smoke around flammable vapors, and avoid heat and sparks. Also watch
out for sparking power tools.
• Keep fire extinguishers readily available, and make sure they are the right type..
Is the one on your truck suitable to fight a burning asphalt product? The MSDS
will tell the type of extinguisher needed.
Try This For Show And Tell!
• Look at an MSDS for asphalt products you use on this job. Show the crew the
sample MSDSs you brought to the meeting. Pick sections you consider critical to
read.
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.