Responding to the industry's concern for worker and customer safety, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has produced a comprehensive package that addresses cement burns. Available for $25, the Cement Burn Awareness Kit pertains to cement burns (contact dermatitis) from portland cement products and is aimed at the ready mixed concrete professional. The manual contains warning tools such as posters and truck decals; documents such as a material safety data sheet; warning strategies; and discussion of legal issues.

Every year hundreds of millions cubic yards of concrete are placed in the U.S. without injury, NRMCA reports. However, there are also dozens of cases annually of painful, debilitating chemical burns from exposure to plastic concrete. Some cement burn cases have lead to costly litigation, with the concrete supplier charged with inadequately warning the plaintiff of the potential hazards of working with the product, the association affirms. Clearly, the "package-less" nature of bulk-delivered ready mixed concrete makes traditional warning labels impossible, it adds.

By using the materials and ideas presented in the Cement Burn Awareness Kit, salespeople, dispatchers, mixer drivers and supervisors can help protect company employees and customers from injury and their company from potential liability, NRMCA contends. Additional information on the kit can be obtained from the group's Publications Department, 301/587-1400 x104.