Delivering the Concrete
4.1 WARNING! PLUGGING HAZARD. Do not put concrete into the concrete pump hopper, concrete pump truck hopper, and/or crane lift bucket until the operator directs you to do so. If the concrete pump or concrete pump truck has not been primed, filling the hopper can cause the concrete pump or concrete pump truck to plug. Plugs create a hazard because they cause the concrete pump or concrete pump truck to reach maximum pressure.
4.2 WARNING! PLUGGING HAZARD. Foreign material can cause blockages. If you see foreign material coming from the concrete delivery vehicle or any other source, immediately stop concrete discharge from the concrete delivery vehicle and signal the operator to stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. If you cannot get the operator’s attention, hit the emergency stop switch. Do not allow the concrete chute rake or any other item to fall into the hopper. Do not attempt to grab foreign objects from the hopper while it is operating. Even if stopped, the concrete pump or concrete pump truck is remote controlled and can start at any time. Alert the operator to stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck if you must remove foreign material from the hopper.
4.3 WARNING! HOSE WHIPPING AND OTHER HAZARDS. You must know how to stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck in an emergency. Have the operator show you the locations of the emergency stop switches and how they work. If an emergency arises, hit the emergency stop switch. Tell the operator about the problem after hitting the switch.
4.4 WARNING! HOSE WHIPPING AND OTHER HAZARDS. Know how to signal the concrete pump or concrete pump truck operator to stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck if you can’t keep enough concrete in the hopper. Some concrete pump or concrete pump truck are equipped with horn buttons on the rear of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. Use the emergency stop switch only if you can’t get the operator’s attention. A restarting procedure is required after hitting the emergency stop that may cause delays. In spite of the restarting procedure, do not hesitate to use the emergency stop if the need arises.
4.5 WARNING! HOSE WHIPPING AND OTHER HAZARDS. Keep the hopper about two- thirds full. Do not let the material level in the hopper become so low that air is sucked into the material cylinders of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. If air is sucked into the cylinders, the concrete pump or concrete pump truck will compress the air. Compressed air always poses a hazard as it is released from the concrete pump or concrete pump truck or the delivery pipeline. Before air is sucked into the cylinders, signal the operator to stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. Some concrete pump or concrete pump truck are equipped with switches which will stop the concrete pump or concrete pump truck without using the emergency stop. In that case, the operator would be able to show you what to do.
WARNING! HOSE WHIPPING AND OTHER HAZARDS. If air is sucked into thecylinders, the concrete pump or concrete pump truck must be stopped regardless of how it happened, as this can occur regardless of whether the hopper is continuously full with concrete, If you cannot get the operator’s attention, hit the emergency stop switch. It is the operator’s job to know how to safely remove air from the concrete pump or concrete pump truck and delivery system. Do not refill the hopper unless directed to do so by the concrete pump or concrete pump truck operator. Stand away from the hopper and the end hose until the operator has removed the trapped air from the delivery system and has signaled you that it is safe to begin unloading again.
4.7 WARNING! HOSE WHIPPING HAZARD. Stay away from the end hose of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. This is especially important to remember when the material is being placed close to the concrete delivery vehicle. The tip of the hose may move quickly and unexpectedly. If the hose is kinked, it could unkink violently.
4.8 WARNING! CRUSHING AND AMPUTATION HAZARD. Do not stand on the hopper grate.
4.9 WARNING! PROJECTILE HAZARD. Avoid walking under the boom of concrete pumps or concrete pump trucks. Avoid standing next to the elbow at the back of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck.
4.10 WARNING! HEAD INJURY HAZARD. Avoid walking under the outriggers of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck.
4.11 WARNING! TRIPPING HAZARD. Try to avoid overfilling the hopper to the point where concrete piles up on the ground. As the concrete dries, it creates a tripping hazard near moving machine parts.
4.12 WARNING! TRIPPING AND FALLING HAZARD. Avoid getting on the concrete pump or concrete pump truck at all. Do not stand on the concrete pump or concrete pump truck because you could lose your balance near moving machine parts.
4.13 Only one person operates the concrete pump or concrete pump truck. The concrete pump or concrete pump truck operator is responsible for the safe operation of the concrete pump or concrete pump truck and boom. If you have questions regarding correct or safe pumping procedures, talk to the operator. Different operators may have different procedures. If in doubt, ask.
4.14 Safety is always in the hands of the people on the job. Monitor the movements of the boom at all times even if no electric wires are present.
