Concrete is an essential material for construction contractors. It creates the foundations for our buildings and forms the walkways that cover our cities and towns. Until it dries, concrete can be shaped in many ways to form structures that are functional as well as beautiful.


Contractors who work with this material must use a variety of concrete-specific supplies to be successful. This includes safety gear, mixing and handling tools, and finishing equipment. If you're a contractor, this article will provide guidance on concrete supplies you need to have on hand before beginning your project, from protective gear to specialized tools.


We'll discuss concrete equipment such as mixing tools, concrete finishing tools, curing compounds and more. We'll also discuss safety gear to help keep workers safe. These tools for working with concrete can help make your projects a success.

Safety Gear for Concrete Work

Safety gear is essential for any jobsite, including when working with concrete. Dry concrete creates dust that, when breathed in, can irritate the nose and throat. Long-term exposure to this dust can lead to asthma, while mortar contains silica that can damage the lungs.


In addition, long-term exposure to wet concrete can cause skin irritation and even chemical burns. Your jobsite must have several types of PPE to keep workers safe when working with concrete.

PPE Essentials:

  • Gloves: Rubber gloves protect workers from exposure to wet concrete. Choose chemical-resistant gloves that fit closely to the wrist to provide as much protection as possible.

  • Boots: Construction workers use heavy pieces of equipment when working with concrete. Steel-toed boots protect workers from falling equipment that causes injuries.

  • Respirator masks: Respirator masks protect workers from concrete dust. Train workers on how to use and wear respirator masks to their fullest efficacy.

  • Knee pads: Knee pads protect workers when they're on their knees using the screed and other finishing tools.

  • Safety glasses: Safety glasses protect workers from wet concrete droplets.

Concrete Mixing and Handling Supplies


Concrete comes in different types, each with its own characteristics. Choose your concrete carefully, depending on the project. Follow manufacturer instructions to mix concrete properly.

  • Fast-setting concrete is a common concrete type, used to create small slabs for supporting relatively lightweight objects.
  • All-purpose concrete mix can be used to repair foundation walls and create walkways.
  • High-strength concrete is more durable and can be used for foundations.

Mixing Tools

Your crew needs tools for mixing concrete. For small projects, a wheelbarrow and a few shovels may be adequate. Choose shovels with different scoop shapes to give your workers options.


Concrete mixers are helpful for larger projects. Mixers keep concrete in motion to prevent it from curing. If your construction company does not work with concrete frequently, consider a mixer rental to save money.

Handling Tools

Provide workers with a range of concrete handling tools, including buckets, scoops, and pouring equipment. These tools are all-purpose and may be used again and again on concrete projects, if properly cleaned after each use. 

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Tools for Concrete Placement and Finishing

Concrete placement and finishing requires tools for leveling, smoothing, and curing concrete. Without these tools, projects would look rough and unfinished. They may also be less durable.

Placement Tools

Your construction company will need a range of screeds, rakes, floats, and concrete vibrators to place and smooth concrete.


Rakes are used to spread concrete out once it's been poured, and a screed is a tool that helps level concrete when it is dragged across the surface. Screeds can be small and hand-held, or large and motorized.


Once screeding is finished, a bull float is used to embed aggregate into the surface of the concrete while smoothing out remaining imperfections. This helps prevent cracking by preparing the surface to be cured.


Finally, a concrete vibrator helps remove air pockets and excess water from the concrete. This helps bond the concrete to the rebar (if any rebar is present), and helps eliminate voids in the concrete. There are several types of concrete vibrators, including handheld models and larger options. Like other power tools, concrete vibrators are available for rent if your company doesn't use them frequently.

Finishing Tools

Concrete must be smoothed again and again. The trowel is the final tool used to smooth concrete, to create a more refined surface and the smoothest finish possible. Troweling helps close pores that could lead to water intrusion while making your concrete look as finished and attractive as possible.


In addition to the trowel, you'll need an edger to create the rounded edges that most people prefer for their concrete slabs. Use of the edger helps prevent chipping over time. Don't use the edger until the concrete is firm but still workable.


Finally, texturize the concrete with a stiff broom. This texture creates a non-slip surface that's safer for walking. 

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Curing Agents and Sealers

Curing compounds prevent early moisture-loss that can lead to a stronger end product. Curing compounds are applied in the final stages and will eventually break down when exposed to traffic and the elements.


Finally, sealers help protect the concrete from moisture intrusion that can cause cracking during freeze-thaw cycles. Most sealers are not applied until the concrete has been set for a long time. Read the manufacturer instructions to apply sealer properly and on the correct timeline. Sealers should be re-applied periodically to keep concrete protected.

Additional Supplies for Concrete Projects

In addition to the tools listed above, your project may require other tools, depending on your goals. Expansion joints are an example of this. Expansion joints create spaces in the concrete for expansion and contraction. These joints are used in large slabs like walkways. Proper use of expansion joints can help protect your concrete from cracking.


Other materials like rebar may also be necessary. When embedded in concrete, rebar helps support concrete structures. There are many types of rebar, so it's important to choose rebar that is right for your structure and the environment where your structure is being built.

Challenges in Concrete Work

Concrete work can have its challenges. Controlling dust and mixing concrete properly can be challenging for contractors who don't work with concrete regularly. Successful contractors:

  • Require use of respirators to protect workers from dust.

  • Choose the best concrete type for the job.

  • Check the temperature before mixing concrete and know the proper temperature range for each type of concrete.

  • Pay close attention to the water-to-concrete ratio.

  • Reduce waste by using durable equipment instead of disposable options.

Choose the Right Supplies for Your Concrete Projects

It's important to have the right supplies for your concrete project. 95 Traffic Safety Supply provides concrete solutions for contractors, including concrete safety gear, concrete tools and materials.

Check out our concrete supplies and equipment to get everything you need for your project!