Hello, my name is Tony and this is my concrete installation and maintenance blog. I am not a professional concrete contractor but I am very passionate about DIY. My dad was a contractor and when I was growing up he taught me all kinds of neat tips and tricks. Once time, he took me out into the yard and made me inspect the concrete wall. The concrete was crumbling away, exposing the metal bars beneath. My father explained that this was concrete cancer and then demonstrated how to repair the damage. I hope you find my blog useful and entertaining.
Concrete pumping is one of the fastest and most economical ways of placing concrete on a construction job. But this process isn't without danger; it often presents multiple hazards. Fortunately, there are certain ways accidents can be prevented. This article will share some of the key safety precautions that must be kept in mind.
Responsibilities of the contractor
The key to minimising safety problems at a concrete pumping site is organisation. Consequently, it is the contractor's responsibility to make sure proper equipment is ordered for the project. They are also responsible for recognising potential hazards and resolving dangerous situations to hinder accidents. All concrete pumping operators need to get safety certification and know how to operate equipment safely to prevent accidents.
Power lines
Power lines can cause fatal accidents if safety precautions aren't considered when pumping concrete. To reduce or prevent such kinds of accidents, the entire team should get power line safety training. If there is a power line next to the job site, the workers should establish a danger zone and be marked with cones. In addition, a spotter should be used to warn the operator whenever the boom gets close to this designated danger zone. A meeting should also be conducted to outline how the entire pouring operation will be conducted and how the power lines will be avoided.
Site preparation
The preparation of the site should be done before the pumping process. Ensure you remove all the clutter and then clear out some space for your pumping truck. Space should be levelled up and big enough to accommodate a pump using the extended outriggers. Moreover, space should be large enough to handle several mix trucks.
Cribbing
Sufficient cribbing is vital for the distribution of weight or balancing the cement load. Normally, pump manufacturers may supply outrigger pads with the pumping equipment. The contractors can also have additional wood dunnage or steel plates, which may be used for cribbing if need be.
Outriggers
Poor outrigging procedures when applying concrete may cause accidents on a construction work site. Tip-overs are caused when outriggers are used without adequate cribbing, or the surface of the site hasn't been appropriately prepared to support the outrigger's weight. An unidentified underground void can also cause tip-overs.
The type of soil is another vital factor that must be considered to keep the outriggers steady and safe. Different kinds of soil have different capacities for bearing loads. For instance, adding compacted gravel on the virgin ground will double the support capabilities.
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