Health and safety

Hanson’s aggregate blocks are composed of cementitious materials and aggregates and usually admixtures. The finished products as supplied are of an inert nature and inherently non-hazardous to health.
 
The surface nature and weight of the products requires the use of protective gloves and footwear to avoid injuries. Where lifting points are provided they should all and always be used. Otherwise good slinging and lifting practices should be used.

When cutting or surface treating products by hand or by machine, dust and flying fragments may be created. The dust created may be of respirable size and may contain quartz. Extended periods of exposure to high concentrations of such dust, particularly in enclosed spaces, can constitute a health hazard. In such  circumstances, respiratory protective equipment should be worn. In addition, suitable eye protection should be worn to protect against dust and/or flying fragments.

The products may be delivered secured with steel or plastic straps under tension, or shrink wrapped in polythene. When these straps are cut or broken, risk may occur particularly to the eyes from the strap ends. Appropriate hand and eye protection should be worn when cutting or handling strapping. Care should be taken on the release of the strapping or the removal of the polythene wrap that items do not fall from the stack.
 
The product should be stacked within the limitations of the ground conditions and the security of the products as bonded to a pallet or itself.

The product and associated strapping and wrapping material should be disposed of in accordance with local authority requirements for non-hazardous materials.