Concrete Pump Safety

Concrete pumps and rotating booms can present a myriad of safety challenges on the job. Safety regulations vary from place to place and job to job, but concrete pumps should always be operated or supervised by a trained professional familiar with, and acting in accordance with, the safety guidelines for that site. A supervisor should also be familiar and experienced using the specific concrete pumping equipment on the job site.

Safety Equipment

• A supervisor is responsible for making sure all workers using a concrete pump or working in surrounding areas are wearing a hard hat, safety goggles or glasses, heavy duty work boots, gloves, long-sleeved pants and shirts. Wet concrete can be harmful if exposed to bare skin or eyes.

Supervision

• There should be only one supervisor in charge of giving direction for the movement of the boom. They should be trained in basic and advanced hand signals to communicate with those at the end of the pipeline effectively.

Hands-Free

• A pump operator should never operate a concrete pump without a grate on the hopper. In addition, no worker should reach their hands into, or near, the hopper while the pump engine is running. The water box must also be protected and avoided while the machine is in use.