Concrete Finishers & Cement Masons

Finishers spend long hours kneeling in wet concrete, running power trowels, and working against the clock before the concrete sets.

• Construction

Top hazards

• Cement burns and dermatitis from wet concrete
• Knee, back and wrist injuries from kneeling and troweling
• Power trowel injuries: blades, losing control, and CO from gas trowels indoors
• Curing compounds, sealers and form oils (chemical and fire hazards)
• Heat and long shifts

Key practices

• Wear waterproof gloves, knee pads and tall rubber boots; keep concrete out of boots and gloves; wash skin promptly.
• Use stand-up tools and knee boards; rotate tasks.
• Make sure power trowels have working dead-man (auto-stop) controls; ventilate and monitor CO for gas units indoors.
• Read SDSs for curing and sealing products; ventilate.

See also: Trowels & Floats, Concrete & Formwork, Hexavalent Chromium.

Cement burns: why they’re sneaky

Wet concrete is strongly alkaline. It often doesn’t hurt at first, so workers kneel in it or let it soak into boots for hours. By the time it hurts, the burn can be deep, sometimes needing skin grafts. Wet cement also contains small amounts of hexavalent chromium, which can cause lifelong skin allergies.

• If concrete gets on your skin or soaks through clothing, wash with clean water right away. Don’t wait until break.
• Change out of soaked clothing, gloves and socks.
• Get medical care for any burn or rash that doesn’t heal.
• Use a pH-neutral soap and moisturizer at the end of the day.

Power trowels

• Walk-behind trowels must stop when you let go (dead-man control). Never tie or block the handle.
• Ride-on trowels need trained operators. Keep others away from the blades.
• Gas-powered trowels in buildings can fill the space with carbon monoxide. Use ventilation, CO monitors, or electric or propane units with proper controls. See Carbon Monoxide.

Protecting your body

• Use knee boards and kneepads that keep you out of the concrete. See Knee Protection.
• Use long-handled bull floats and edgers where you can.
• Stretch and switch tasks to reduce strain on wrists and shoulders.
• Plan pours for cooler times in summer, and drink water often.

Before the pour

• Waterproof gloves, tall rubber boots, knee pads and eye protection
• Clean water for washing skin and eyes on site
• Power trowel dead-man control tested
• Ventilation and CO monitoring for indoor gas equipment
• SDS reviewed for curing compounds and sealers

Last updated: October 1, 2026