Pump and boom operation
Using the pump and boom
Concrete pouring
Delivery hose
Using the pump and boom
Concrete pump and boom operators should be trained, supervised and competent to safely operate the equipment.
Plant operators should:
- be familiar with and operate the plant and equipment in line with advice and information from the manufacturer
- undertake daily inspection and maintenance before pumping starts
- always attend to the equipment or make sure that a competent person is in attendance if working away from the equipment
- pump concrete only when the grill is in the closed position
- make sure that pump flow rates match discharge rates of concrete delivery trucks
- be based at the pump and have a clear view of both the hose-hand and the hopper, if using remote control
- if a clear view is not possible, then another competent person, other than the delivery truck driver, should be based at the hopper to be responsible for stopping the pump
- follow the directions of and maintain communications with the hose-hand
More information on safe pump and boom operation is provided in the Section 4.3.2 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.
Concrete pouring
The concrete pour involves the pouring of concrete through the delivery hose connected to the concrete pump to the concrete pump area. In doing this there are a number of risks including:
- concrete lines bursting;
- lines becoming unrestrained; and
- pipe clamps being dislodged.
Damage to the delivery hose may cause discharge of concrete under pressure.
Delivery hose
Ensure good quality of hose and avoid damage by:
- checking hose for damage before being fitted
- fitting a suitable stop device at the outlet end of the hose, where it is located above a working or public area
- fixing the delivery hose fitting on a boom pump by a safety chain, sling or other retaining device in line with AS 1418.15 Cranes (including hoists and winches) concrete placing equipment (non-Queensland Government link).
- using a delivery hose able to handle the pumping concrete pressure
- steel re-enforced hoses should be used with high pressure pumps on high-rise ¿satellite¿ booms. Non re-enforced hoses should not be used on piston type pumps unless specified by the manufacturer
- avoiding structural failure of the boom caused when additional hose is added to the end of a concrete placement boom for pumping concrete
- using reducers to avoid overload of the hose or other parts of the unit
- the hose-hand should wear eye protection in line with AS/NZS 1336 Recommended practices for occupational eye protection (non-Queensland Government link)
Check in detail the responsibilities for concrete pouring safety in Section 4.3.3 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.
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