From Darrel Adamson – Engrave-A-Crete CEO
I want to tell you a story about a friend. His name was Lyle Johnson. He worked in decorative concrete, and I learned many good lessons from him. One is particularly important to me…and to you.
One morning Lyle and his helper set off for work. It was an ordinary day, in an ordinary city and their job for that day was an ordinary one, although they would be working in the basement of a very affluent home, which wasn’t always the case.
Lyle was working on a decorative concrete installation, and his task for the day was to strip a substance, probably mastic or something similar, from the basement floor. That’s when Lyle made a bad decision.
Opening the windows for ventilation, he and his helper began stripping the floor using a lacquer thinner. Lyle knew the lacquer thinner was extremely dangerous, but he hoped the air moving through the basement would carry the fumes away.
He was dead wrong. The fumes collected to a dangerous level in the room.
Suddenly, without warning, the fumes ignited in an explosion that blew the roof off the house and twisted it. It blew the brick veneer completely away from the outer walls. And, it ignited Lyle and his helper.
Lacquer fumes had permeated the clothing of the two as they worked, and when the explosion occurred their clothing acted as wicks, turning them into human torches.
Lyle and his helper were able to get outside and they rolled on the grassy lawn, trying to extinguish the flames. The grass caught fire too, and Lyle’s helper died on the spot. Lyle died a few hours later in the hospital.
That day Lyle taught me the most valuable lesson I’ve ever learned – NO job is worth dying for.
A few days ago I watched a training video on concreteXXXXX.com showing someone spraying a solvent sealer in an enclosed restaurant. I was horrified. Those folks should know the danger involved.
Then I read an article in a leading concrete magazine giving safety tips for using solvent-based products indoors. I asked myself, “Why take the risk?”
The article discussed appropriate job-site clothing, but as Lyle learned, clothes infused with volatile fumes just make the flames burn hotter.
The article mentioned proper ventilation, but exactly what does “proper” mean? Obviously Lyle’s definition was different from that of the manufacturer, and the open windows weren’t enough.
The article said to eliminate all potential points of ignition. How can one eliminate a simple spark of static electricity that can instantly ignite volatile chemical fumes?
The article cautioned that a respirator should be used. Granted that would reduce the inhalation of dangerous fumes, but it would not protect one from the explosive effects. Neither does a respirator stop dangerous chemical vapors from entering your body through your skin, where your liver and kidneys then have to contend with the harmful substances.
The article spoke of having appropriate fire extinguishers handy. Good idea, but it’s very difficult to use a fire extinguisher when you’re the one on fire.
The article ended by warning contractors to be thoughtful in advance, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I would amend that to say, “avoid the worst.”
I could go on and on about authorities in the decorative concrete industry not acting responsibly regarding the videos and print messages they publish, but that’s not my first priority right now.
My responsibility is to you, and to Lyle. I’ve introduced you to his terrible story to tell you this:
You have only one life to live. Don’t waste it on a project that could just as easily have been completed using non-volatile chemicals. There are non-volatile chemicals that are extremely effective. There are tools that strip stubborn substances from floors without using chemicals at all. There are water-based sealers that give fantastic results. There are good, safe alternatives for nearly every circumstance. And if you can’t find an alternative, just walk away.
No stupid job, no matter how large or small, is worth dying for.
Lyle would want me to tell you, and I want you to know.
Darrel
Next: Don’t get me started on the doofuses who show you that using an open-bladed angle grinder is smart—IT AIN’T!
Next, next: WTF are they thinking…spraying water on the blade of an electric power tool – with or without a GFCI?
Spring has arrived and many of you are ready to get those outdoor installations started. We want you to know that we’re pullin’ for you to be able to offer your customers the decorative concrete projects they need and want.
