Safety checklist — Concrete sawing and drilling
Sawing, coring and drilling in concrete. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
13 items- ✓
PPE worn: hard hat, splash-proof glasses, hearing protection, anti-vibration gloves
- ✓
Check for electrical/gas/water conduits in cutting zone (detector or plans)Critical
ℹ️ Piercing a live conduit = risk of fatal electrocution
- ✓
Blade or core bit inspected — no missing or cracked segments
- ✓
Cooling water supply functional and connected
- ✓
Work zone marked off — protect bystanders from debris
- ✓
Cutting equipment secured or anchored to support
- ✓
Respiratory protection N95/P100 if dry cutting or silica dustCritical
ℹ️ Crystalline silica OEL: 0.025 mg/m³ — CNESST zero tolerance since 2024
- ✓
Continuous water spray on blade to suppress dust and cool
- ✓
Never force the blade — let the tool work at its own pace
- ✓
Watch for smoke or overheating — stop immediately if abnormal odor
- ✓
Cutting slurry collected — do not discharge into drains
- ✓
Maintain safe distance from rotating blade
- ✓
Check stability of cut piece before completing the cut
After work
4 items- ✓
Equipment cleaned, blade removed and stored
- ✓
Slurry and concrete debris collected and properly disposed
- ✓
Openings created protected or marked if fall hazard
- ✓
Cut edges inspected — deburr if sharp
More checklists — Heavy Work
Formwork
Installation and removal of formwork
14 checks
Concrete pouring
Pouring and vibrating concrete
16 checks
Demolition
Demolition and removal work
16 checks
Earthwork / Excavation
Excavation, trenches and digging
16 checks
Masonry / Brickwork
Installation of bricks, blocks and stone
13 checks
Asphalt / Paving
Asphalt laying and paving work
18 checks