• What law applies
• Plant design and item registration - concrete placement booms
• Preparation of the site
• Controlling the risks of concrete pumping
• Avoiding pipeline failure
• Placement of plant and equipment
  • Where to place plant and equipment
  • Operating near powerlines
  • Setting up in a public place
• Safe concrete pumping
  • Concrete delivery risks
  • Concrete delivery trucks
  • Pump and boom operation
  • Cleaning pipelines and pumps
  • Road travel
• Controlling noise and fumes
• Compliance, inspections and maintenance
  • Compliance plates
  • Maintenance inspections
  • Reporting and recording defects
  • Testing pipes
  • Concrete Pumping Compliance Campaign 2012
  • Concrete Pumping Compliance Campaign 2009
• Safety training and supervision

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Preparation of the site

• Planning by the builder, hirer or principal contractor
• Planning by the concrete pumper

Planning by the builder, hirer or principal contractor

Planning by the builder, hirer or principal contractor should ensure the site provides a clear, level area of ground with a firm base to support the pump unit, clear access to the pump unit for concrete trucks and safe, unobstructed access for the general public if the pump unit is in the street.

It is important to have a clearly defined pump washout area that has a method for collecting concrete residue to prevent it from entering storm water drains; and that complies with environmental regulations.

Additional planning should ensure that:

• the concrete pump is in the best position to pump concrete, which allows the pump operator an unobstructed view of the pump and the pour area
• there is a time schedule for a major concrete pour, and planning for weather, volume of concrete, site limitations, equipment back up and capacity
• if compressed air and water lines are supplied, they are placed on site in a way that avoids damage and complies with Australian Standards.

For more detailed information on planning requirements, check Section 3.1 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.

Planning by the concrete pumper

The concrete pumper should consult with the principal contractor or responsible person about the plan for pumping concrete on site.

In addition, the following points are important:

• Provide enough workers to pump concrete safely, including a competent worker to operate the emergency shut down system if necessary.
• Consider the best method for pumping concrete to the pour site.
• Consider the capacity and type of pump to be used and where to place the pump for best access by concrete delivery trucks.
• Ensure electrical safety, including safeguards from nearby powerlines.
• Remove risks to health and safety from manual handling, trip, slip and fall hazards.
• Provide safety equipment including personal protective equipment.
• Keep maintenance and repair manuals safely on registered premises.
• The pump operator should be trained and competent to use operational manuals and equipment.
• Instruction manuals and maintenance log books should accompany the pump unit and/or boom.

Before starting pumping, the concrete pumper should consult:

• the concrete delivery company, to discuss the measures in place for preventing line blowouts and for handling multiple truck reversals to the concrete pump
• the truck driver to discuss the importance of:
  • following the directions from traffic controllers or spotters
  • the arrangements for multiple trucks reversing to the concrete pump
  • standing in a safe place during concrete pumping.

For more detailed information, the concrete pumper should check Section 3.2 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.