Cement is one of the most famous building materials in the modern world. Cement has replaced all other building materials, like clay and lime, which ruled high for hundreds of years, in construction from last century. It can hold the structure together.
Generally, cement bags are stored on site temporarily during construction of a building. To avoid poor quality of construction; careful transportation and handling of all the building materials is essential. By following proper precautions for cement bag handling, breakages and losses can be reduced to a minimum, resulting in saving of time and money. Here we have information on cement bag handling at the site to avoid wastage.
Precautions for Cement Bag Handling
01. Never Drop the Bags
Never drop the cement bags from the head height as this can weaken the paper sack considerably and may cause breakages soon.
02. Pick up From the Bottom Side
Bags should be picked up with the hands supporting the bottom side of the bag. They should never be pulled over other products or ground. The last layer of bags on the pallets should be rolled off first and not pulled. Particularly, care should be taken not to roll bags onto the corner of the pallet.
03. Roll Over Before Lifting
Cement bags should always be rolled over before lifting. This will loosen the consolidated cement within the bag and reduces the possibility of the splitting of cement bag. In addition, this also allows for the underside of the bag to be checked for any damage before lifting, thereby avoiding further damage to the cement bag.
04. Pick Up Correctly
Heavy bags like a 50 kg cement bag if not picked up correctly, then can cause extreme stress on the spine and could result in a back injury. Anyone handling the cement bag should be well trained in using their legs and arms to raise the load. Where possible, two workers should pick up a cement bag to prevent personal injury and also damage to the cement bag.
05. Carry Properly
Bags should be carried at waist height or flat on the shoulder.
06. Do not Hold From the Ends
Never hold the cement bags from their ends. Not only will this be very stressful on the arms, shoulders and back, it will also cause the bag to sag and rip. This is why cement bags should always be supported on the underside.
07. Never Step on the Bags
Never walk over the cement bags as it can tear/damage the stack.
08. Lay the Bags Properly
Cement bags should not be stored on their sides or standing upright. Lay the bags on their broad, flat sides when stacking.
09. Use the Trolley Correctly
When using a trolley, ensure that it has extended tines to give complete underneath support for the cement bag, even if it is being moved for a relatively short distance.
10. Carefully Place Bags on the Trolley
Be careful not to tear the bag by banging the trolley tines into the side of the cement bag. Never pick up the bags directly from the floor with the trolley. Always lift bags onto the tines.
Image Courtesy – Afrisam
