All major installations must adhere to certain health and safety regulations, counting on both local conditions and therefore the nature of the installation. Without appropriate safety measures, handling, cutting, and grinding are often hazardous activities, with a big risk of private injury or product damage.
1. Not wearing gloves or safety goggles
Appropriate safety measures must be taken to avoid hazards. While handling FiBAR®, wear gloves. Always wear protective face gear and hand gloves when cutting or grinding fiberglass. Despite the fact that the dust created is non-toxic, it can still cause skin irritations and itching. The amount of irritation varies among different individuals and is definitely reduced or eliminated by wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts or overalls, gloves, and face masks to protect the eyes as well as the skin. Keep bare hands away from raw cut edges.
2. Trying to bend FiBAR® on-site
FiBAR® is manufactured by a thermoset molding process. Heat-cured plastics called thermosets can’t be beaten for their long lives. But these resilient polymers can’t be reshaped after the final product is formed. Bending of FiBAR® on site is thus not possible.
3. Leaving the FiBAR® exposed to direct sunlight
DO NOT store FiBAR® in direct sunlight for a more extended period, as it affects the properties of the rebars and can therefore provide disturbed structural performance. ALWAYS store in the shade
4. Not using a power tool to cut FiBAR®
FRP material is extremely abrasive. Generic tools such as saw blades will wear out quickly and will require frequent cleaning and sharpening. Thus, cutting of FiBAR® is permitted by means of carbide or diamond-coated cutters only. A hand-held circular saw blade is enough to cut FiBAR®. Firstly, support the FiBAR® firmly to keep it from moving or shifting; secondly, apply light and pressure to the saw blade.
5. Dragging FiBAR® on the ground
DO NOT drag FiBAR® on the ground while taking it from the shaded storage area to the place of installation or across sharp edges. FiBAR® is lightweight and easy to lift at two ends of the rebars by laborers. ALWAYS use proper hoisting equipment and multiple lifting points when handling linear (for size 12mm and above), non-linear, and bent FiBAR®.