Well, first week on the mortar trucks almost done. Was driving today for the first time after being in the passenger seat all week. Enjoying it so far.
Lad I’m with is a good bloke but seems quite happy to cut corners to get back early - ignoring weight restrictions and driving like he stole it etc. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like this is necessary or expected to get the job done as he’s always finished before the other drivers by about an hour or so.
Today he showed me how he cleans the truck with acid and a brush. No PPE other than sunglasses, although all his limbs are covered as he wears long sleeve shirts. It was only about 27% strength but I could smell the fumes from at least 10 feet away which made me wonder whether he should’ve been wearing some kind of respiratory protection, or whether at this dilution it’s just a strong smell more than actually dangerous? I could actually see the vapour shimmering off the bucket.
Just asking so that I can make sure I’ve got the right kit. Don’t want to flag it up to the boss and get this bloke in trouble as won’t likely do me any favours as the new guy on site. Would rather just make sure I’m sorted and let others crack on with it as they see fit.
Looking at that data sheet from univar anything between 10 to 25% is harmful to skin eyes breathing etc. From what I can see. Even at school using hydrochloric acid safety always came first.
So he sounds like a bit of a numpty. And the whole point of going out with a driver is to be shown the right way to do thing. And the company is RESPONSIBLE to provide you with all and any PPE you require along with training probably in COSHH.
Cheers guys, I’ll be wearing my safety glasses for sure, but wasn’t sure about a respirator thingy.
Basically, me and this chap are the only two guys onsite for the contractor I work for, so I’ve not even met any management so far - just speak to our boss and the customer’s site manager on the phone (he works from home I think). It’s just a few tipper drivers, few mixer drivers, and a couple of batchers onsite.
My last employer were way OTT about health and safety (and I don’t say that flippantly!). Like giving disciplinaries to drivers for climbing out o/s door rather thsn n/s, even on a quiet cul de sac (would check door cameras regularly to try and catch you out). That was my only permanent driving job so far after loads of agency work, so I don’t really have a frame of reference.
I’d be wearing respirator, acid proof apron gloves and eyewear and wouldn’t give a toss if I looked like a l ■■■■ for doing so. I’d also make sure my boots were fluid resistant boots as well.
I wouldn’t use HCL for washing a lorry, it causes skin burns, causes lung damage and rots metal and cotton, but it seems funny how we all carry it in our stomach without harm.
Wheel Nut:
I wouldn’t use HCL for washing a lorry, it causes skin burns, causes lung damage and rots metal and cotton, but it seems funny how we all carry it in our stomach without harm.
The hydrochloric acid in human stomachs is normally only about 7%.
27% HCl will be seriously corrosive to most metals as well as being hazardous to your health both as liquid and vapour.
Wheel Nut:
I wouldn’t use HCL for washing a lorry, it causes skin burns, causes lung damage and rots metal and cotton, but it seems funny how we all carry it in our stomach without harm.
The hydrochloric acid in human stomachs is normally only about 7%.
27% HCl will be seriously corrosive to most metals as well as being hazardous to your health both as liquid and vapour.
You use the acid to clean the mortar and cement residue from the vehicle, not for regular washdown. When I ran a mixer it was at a dry mix plant, i.e. the cement, sand, and stone went into the drum dry, then water was added to the rotating drum. It was a really dirty system which I’m not sure is still used today. (HSE?) The dust was everywhere after loading , without acid it was impossible to keep the back of the motor clean. I used it every evening otherwise the build up of crap would soon overwhelm you. Even now I look at the back of a mixer and can tell the calibre of the driver by the neck of the drum. Regards Kev.
Wheel Nut:
I wouldn’t use HCL for washing a lorry, it causes skin burns, causes lung damage and rots metal and cotton, but it seems funny how we all carry it in our stomach without harm.
The hydrochloric acid in human stomachs is normally only about 7%.
27% HCl will be seriously corrosive to most metals as well as being hazardous to your health both as liquid and vapour.
You use the acid to clean the mortar and cement residue from the vehicle, not for regular washdown. When I ran a mixer it was at a dry mix plant, i.e. the cement, sand, and stone went into the drum dry, then water was added to the rotating drum. It was a really dirty system which I’m not sure is still used today. (HSE?) The dust was everywhere after loading , without acid it was impossible to keep the back of the motor clean. I used it every evening otherwise the build up of crap would soon overwhelm you. Even now I look at the back of a mixer and can tell the calibre of the driver by the neck of the drum. Regards Kev.
It certainly does seem to tell a lot about the driver, as you say. The ones with the neck of drum clogged generally seem to be the less on the ball guys from what I’ve seen so far. The guy I was learning from only uses acid once a week but he regularly hammers off the mortar which seems to work pretty well.
hydrochloric is nasty stuff… personaly i would wear everything given not only have you got the dangers of the acid its self you are mixing an acid with an alcaline.
i used to deliver 90% in 5 gallon containers they always wore apron and gloves to take it off the back of the lorry and that was in sealed containers just being taken into thier stores.
dont forget its splashing around and your pouring it in so you are bound to get some on your clothes
Ask your employer if they have a COSHH assesment or Risk Assesment or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Hydrochloric Acid you are expected to use.
If the firm doesn’t you are employed by a firm that does not treat H&S seriously. (I know H&S has a bad name and the OP is not an idiot but H&S have to treat everyone as an idiot).
If they do, then read it and comply. Otherwise if you hurt yourself or others then the firm will point out that you had access to the procedure and you did not follow it when it comes to a court case.
Don’t say “I was following Nelly and that is what he/she did”.
I will leave you with some of the best H&S advice I was ever given.
“Don’t put your hand where you wouldn’t put your ■■■■”.
At that concentration we call it “brick cleaner”. You right for being concerned, if you can smell it then it is inside your lungs. Don’t worry too much though, you’ve got quite a lot of it inside your stomach
I’ve never worked on the concrete lorries but I do know quite a lot about concrete.
Where is he getting this acid from?
Does he use it everyday?
Like I said, I know very little about the day to day life of a concrete driver, but I do know quite a lot about concrete. I know even more about HCI(aq), enough to wonder why he’s bothering with the inconvenience & expense of using it on fresh mortar■■?
Ffs they still use acid on “mudtrucks “ wow , last used acid wash 10yrs ago and full suit mask/visor goggles long rubber gloves and hose set at low , brush to be disposed off after use. Now it’s all organic orange based product and goggles and gloves. And it puts a shine on .
