Safety Soapbox

Editorial

WorkSafe inspectors are currently visiting construction sites to ensure the risks associated with setting up and operating truck-mounted mobile concrete boom pumps (boom pumps) are being controlled.
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Incidents involving boom pump often place workers and the public at risk and some have resulted in serious or fatal injuries.

Incidents have included:

• boom pumps overturning due to a situation such as structural slab failure, ground conditions and short blocking outriggers
• structural failure in the boom or slew ring

• full or partial collapse of the boom  
• end hoses uncoupling and falling during the pour or while being cleaned out
• end hoses whipping around 
• concrete or the pipe clean-out device (‘sponge’) striking people during the clean-out process
• bursting pipes, bends and end hoses
• pipe clamp failures
• people being entangled in the pump’s moving parts
• boom striking overhead powerlines

Planning and preparation are crucial 
Planning and preparation is the first step in ensuring concrete pumping operations are performed safely and must involve consultation with all those engaged in the work. 

Planning should incorporate the project’s total concrete pumping operational requirements. 

The plan may need reviewing each time a concrete pumping operation is scheduled, to take into account any changes or unforeseen circumstances.

August/September focus
WorkSafe inspectors will ensure duty holders involved in concrete pumping operations are complying with their obligations, which include (but are not limited to):

• providing and maintaining plant or systems of work 
• boom pump operators hold a high risk work licence (ie ‘Class PB – concrete-placing boom’)
• safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before high risk construction work commences and work is performed in accordance with the SWMS
• risks associated with concrete pumping operations are controlled and the Concrete pumping industry standard is followed, including requirements related to:
  • the location of the boom pump set-up;
    • public areas set-up, including traffic and pedestrian controls
    • no go zones for overhead powerlines
  • boom pump inspections and maintenance, including pipe componentry (eg pipe clamps and safety pins)
  • thickness testing for pipeline components 
  • boom pump set-up, including outrigger placement
  • control of trucks discharging into the hopper
  • hopper guarding and emergency controls
  • pump and pipeline clean-out process.
    

Further information

• WorkSafe has a range of guidance material on concrete pumping which can be downloaded or viewed at worksafe.vic.gov.au, such as:

• Construction safety focus - Mobile concrete boom pump safety
• Industry standard - Concrete pumping
• Safety alert - Concrete delivery pipeline failures
• Safety alert - Cleaning of concrete pumping equipment
• Construction safety focus - Construction site traffic management.
  

Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia has concrete pump delivery guidelines that can be accessed from the publication page of their website - ccaa.com.au