By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Mastering these skills helps you create solid, long-lasting floors that are essential for any successful building project.
Compiled by: Harun Maina
Floor screeding is a critical phase in masonry works that ensures the creation of a smooth, level surface on which final floor finishes will be applied. In Kenya’s diverse construction environments, from county government offices in Kisumu to hotels in Mombasa, proper screeding affects durability, aesthetics, and safety of the finished floor. This chapter addresses the essential personal protective equipment (PPE) required during screeding and the systematic preparation of the floor to achieve optimal results.
Different PPE items serve specialized protective functions during masonry screeding. Selecting appropriate equipment depends on the work environment and associated risks.
Gloves protect hands from abrasions, chemical irritants in cement mixes, and cuts from tools. For example, at a county referral hospital under renovation, workers use nitrile gloves to avoid cement burns.
Safety boots with steel toe caps prevent foot injuries caused by falling objects or stepping on sharp debris. At a retail business construction site in Nakuru, such boots are mandatory to protect workers from nail punctures.
Goggles or safety glasses shield eyes from dust, cement particles, and splashes. During screeding at a TVET college, eye protection prevents irritation caused by airborne cement dust.
Dust masks or respirators filter harmful fine particles generated when mixing dry cement. Employees renovating a cooperative’s office in Eldoret wear masks to prevent respiratory complications.
Overalls or long-sleeved shirts minimize skin contact with cement and dust. In hotel refurbishment in Kisii, protective clothing limits dermatitis risks from prolonged exposure to wet screed mixtures.
The correct application of PPE enhances worker safety and project quality by minimizing exposure to hazards.
Cement and additives in screed mixes contain alkaline substances that can cause burns. Gloves and protective clothing form barriers preventing skin damage during mixing and application.
Dust masks reduce inhalation of silica particles found in sand and cement, which can cause silicosis. This is crucial in confined spaces such as small county government offices undergoing refurbishments.
Safety boots and gloves protect against cuts, punctures, and crushing injuries from tools or debris. For instance, workers at a university campus use these to avoid injuries from sharp trowels and heavy buckets.
Eye protection prevents dust and splashes from impairing vision, ensuring accuracy during screeding. This is particularly important in busy hospital construction sites where precise floor leveling supports equipment installation.
Wearing PPE reduces contamination risks and helps maintain cleanliness on site. This is vital in food processing plants where floors must meet hygiene standards after screeding.
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Create a free accountThis chapter focused on the essential aspects of laying floor screed, beginning with the types and uses of personal protective equipment necessary to ensure safety during the process. It then detailed the floor preparation procedure, emphasizing the importance of a clean and stable base for effective screeding. The chapter explored different types of screeds, including bonded screed which adheres directly to the substrate, unbonded screed that rests on a separating layer, and floating screed which is isolated from the substrate to reduce sound transmission. Each type was explained with regard to its specific application and structural characteristics. Finally, the chapter highlighted the critical step of screed curing, outlining methods to maintain moisture and achieve optimal strength and durability in the finished floor. This comprehensive overview equips learners with the knowledge to safely and effectively lay floor screeds in various construction contexts.
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Safety Helmet | |
| Protective Gloves | |
| Dustcoat/Overall | |
| Safety Boots/Gumboots | |
| Trowel | |
| Steel Float | |
| Spirit Level | |
| Tape Measure |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safety Helmet | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 2 | Protective Gloves | 1 Pair per Candidate |
| 3 | Dustcoat/Overall | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 4 | Safety Boots/Gumboots | 1 Pair per Candidate |
| 5 | Trowel | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 6 | Steel Float | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 7 | Spirit Level | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 8 | Tape Measure (3 m) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Select and Use PPE for Floor Screeding | |||
| Identified and donned Safety Helmet according to workplace safety procedures (Award 1 mark if Safety Helmet is correctly worn as per workplace procedures) | 1 | ||
| Identified and donned Protective Gloves correctly (Award 1 mark if Protective Gloves are correctly worn as per workplace procedures) | 1 | ||
| Wore Dustcoat/Overall properly covering the body (Award 1 mark if Dustcoat/Overall is worn correctly) | 1 | ||
| Wore Safety Boots/Gumboots correctly and securely (Award 1 mark if Safety Boots/Gumboots are worn properly) | 1 | ||
| Demonstrated safe handling and use of tools (Trowel, Steel Float, Spirit Level, Tape Measure) with PPE on (Award 2 marks for correct and safe use of tools while wearing PPE) | 2 | ||
| Maintained PPE and tools in safe custody during the task (Award 2 marks for care and safe custody of PPE and tools) | 2 | ||
| Sub-Total | 8 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Correct and complete use of all PPE items (Helmet, Gloves, Dustcoat, Safety Boots) (Award 1 mark for each PPE correctly used and worn) | 4 | ||
| Demonstrated adherence to safety protocols during floor screeding task (Award 3 marks for consistent safety compliance throughout the task) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 7 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 15 | ||
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Steel float | Water |
| Spirit level (600 mm) | |
| Mason hammer | |
| 3-inch wire brush | |
| Shovel | |
| Bucket (10 litres) | |
| Broom | |
| Tape measure (3 meters) | |
| Chalk line |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steel float | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 2 | Spirit level (600 mm) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 3 | Mason hammer | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 4 | 3-inch wire brush | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 5 | Shovel | 1 Pc per 5 Candidates |
| 6 | Bucket (10 litres) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 7 | Water source/access | Sufficient for moistening floor |
| 8 | Protective gloves | 1 Pair per Candidate |
| 9 | Dust coat/overall | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 10 | Safety boots | 1 Pair per Candidate |
| 11 | Helmet | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 12 | Broom | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 13 | Tape measure (3 meters) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 14 | Chalk line | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Prepare Floor Surface for Screeding | |||
| Identified and donned PPE including helmet, gloves, dustcoat, and safety boots (Award one mark for each PPE donned as per workplace procedures 4 x 1 = 4 Marks) | 4 | ||
| Cleared the floor area of all loose debris, dust, and dirt using broom and wire brush (Award 1 mark for each correct cleaning method used 4 x 1 = 4 Marks) | 4 | ||
| Moistened the floor surface uniformly with water using bucket and shovel (Award 3 marks for correct and uniform moistening of floor surface) | 3 | ||
| Checked and marked floor levels using tape measure and chalk line (Award 3 marks for correct floor marking and level interpretation) | 3 | ||
| Leveled the floor surface using steel float and spirit level to achieve uniform slope (Award 5 marks for proper leveling and slope maintenance) | 5 | ||
| Handled and stored tools and equipment carefully after use (Award 3 marks for correct care and safe custody of tools) | 3 | ||
| Cleaned and cleared the working area after completing preparation (Award 3 marks for proper housekeeping) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 25 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Floor surface area dimension 3000 mm x 3000 mm with uniform slope (Award 1 mark for each correct dimension and slope accuracy 5 x 1 = 5 Marks) | 5 | ||
| Floor surface is clean, free from dust, debris, and loose particles (Award 4 marks for clean and debris-free surface) | 4 | ||
| Floor surface uniformly moistened without puddles (Award 3 marks for uniform moistening) | 3 | ||
| Floor surface leveled to an even, consistent finish with no visible undulations (Award 5 marks for uniform and smooth leveling) | 5 | ||
| Tools and equipment stored properly after completion (Award 3 marks for proper storage) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 20 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 45 | ||
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