Common Hazards Encountered While Handling Steel Sheets

Steel sheets are used in almost every sector, from construction to food packaging and many more. Its versatile nature and wide adaptability across industries make it a very useful and necessary metal product. Steel sheets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, which facilitates making pipes, blocks, plates, rods, spheres, discs, and wires. Metal sheets go through a variety of operations, like bending, shaping, pressing, rolling, and fabricating. Because of their adaptability, they are being easily used in a wide range of industries.

Leading steel manufacturing companies in Dubai and steel suppliers need to fully comprehend the significance of safe sheet metal handling procedures due to their extensive availability and usage. This blog post by Khambati Metal Industries examines the possible risks that come with handling metal sheets, which anyone who deals with this material should be aware of. Don’t forget to share this blog with your colleagues and help them avoid potential injuries and hazards as well.

Do read our blog titled “How Khambati Metal Industries Can Help You Get the Right Materials for Your Project.”

Dust Inhaling

Dust inhaled from metal sheets is a silent danger that is frequently disregarded, and not many are aware of it. Since steel sheets are long, they have to be spread out almost everywhere when working with them. Simultaneously, when metal sheets are bent, shaped, or cut using different tools and machinery, they break into multiple tiny pieces. These tiny pieces, along with the dust present in the work area, may pose a hazard for people working on it. Manufacturers as well as steel trading companies in Dubai must make it compulsory for the workers working with steel sheets to use high-quality industrial masks.

The unexpected presence of metal dust in a workshop setting can be attributed to a variety of activities, such as handling, welding, sawing, sanding, cutting, polishing, and more. All these activities produce a lot of tiny particles that are hard to see. At first, the risk of breathing in this dust might not appear very high. But constant exposure may become a serious threat. On the other hand, frequent exposure might cause lifelong harm to a worker's respiratory system. As a result, it is advised that employees wear masks and adopt other safety measures to reduce any potential risks.

Injury While Handling Steel Sheets

Injury from handling sheet metal is frequently regarded as something casual or even as a necessary component of the job. One of the inherent characteristics of metals is their noticeable weight in sheet form. Its difficult shape further complicates lifting and raises the possibility of hazards for the worker.

Steel companies in the UAE need to provide essential gear to the workers working with sheets. A misaligned lifting position or a strained muscle can cause acute discomfort as well as long-lasting damage. Broken bones, torn muscles, and pinched nerves are among the most common injuries that occur from improper lifting of sheet metal. Therefore, it is advisable to implement automation or mechanical assistance to improve safety and guarantee productivity.

Also, read our blog titled “Why Galvanized Steel Is Ideal for Building Material Applications.”

Skin Burns

Getting skin burned is another danger that is often ignored by the workers working with manufacturers and structural steel suppliers in the UAE. The remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity of metals is one of their distinguishing qualities. Workshops often have high temperatures because of the operation of different tools and gear. In addition, a lot of metal-forming techniques, including welding, produce heat on the sheet metal itself. For instance, leaving the sheet metal in the sun can raise its temperature significantly and increase the risk of an injury occurring right away. Therefore, prolonged exposure may cause serious burns, blisters, and scalds on the exposed skin in those who forget to use gloves or other protective gear. Not just manufacturers, but metal trading companies in the UAE must also urge their workers to use gloves and other gear.

Skin Cuts

In particular, the recently cut metal sheets are sufficiently sharp. Under a microscope, the edges of the freshly cut metal sheet resemble saw teeth, which poses a serious risk to the people handling it. Therefore, if someone drops the freshly cut metal sheets, it is important to wear protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts, thick gloves, and even steel-toed shoes. Leading metal companies in the UAE, such as Khambati Metal Industries, provide workers with essential gear and protective material that helps them stay protected from cuts, burns, and other similar hazards.

Do read our blog titled, “Building Strong Foundations: The Significance of MS Squares in Construction.”

Chemical Hazards

Many steel sheets are coated with certain chemicals like chromium, zinc, and other coatings that protect the steel surface from corrosion and rusting. Many stainless steel suppliers in the UAE aren’t aware that handling such sheets without essential kits may cause serious harm to the lives of workers and may lead to sudden, on-the-spot deaths as well. Metal industries in the UAE may provide their employees with PPE kits and chemical masks to protect them from hazards.

Electrical Hazards

Since steel sheets are made of metal, they can conduct electricity, posing a risk of electric shock if they come into contact with live electrical sources. Workers should be aware of nearby electrical hazards and take precautions to prevent contact with conductive materials. One of the best solutions is to wear rubber gloves and shoes that have rubber soles when working with steel sheets in Dubai.

You may find our blog titled “Your Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Life Cycle of Steel” interesting to read.

Concluding Lines

By being aware of the hazards associated with handling steel sheets, you can protect yourself and your workers in the best way possible. Get in touch with Khambati Metal Industries for your requirement for a reliable source of sheet metal. Consistently being the most renowned steel company in Dubai, you will find high-quality steel sheets of various sizes, shapes, and customization options with us. With us, you will also find steel channels, angles, MS chequered plates, SAIL TMT bars, and products of other metals like aluminum and copper.