NO.1  MANUAL HANDLING HAZARDS

• Concrete on average weighs 2400kg’s or 2.4 tonnes per cubic metre and special mix’s over 3 tonnes per cubic metre.
• Working with concrete can be very strenuous on the average person's back, most concreting jobs have the ability to cause serious sprains or strains.
• Manual handling injuries are common but special concrete rakes or shovels can also be used. However excessive horizontal movement of the concrete requires exra effort, but also leads to segregation of the concrete ingredients.
• A concrete pump can vary the placement speed or add lines to fit the pace of the job, flow of concrete remains steady and controlled.
• Pumped concrete can be easier to handle because the flow of concrete is directed to the exact spot of placement, where other methods deposit large piles of concrete that must be moved manually.

• Try not to over-exert your self when moving concrete, especially when using a wheelbarrow, shovel or chute, concrete is very heavy and caution must be taken to avoid back, shoulder or muscle strains. Keeping yourself fit and performing pre-work stretching exercises can aid in injury pervention.
• Where possible use mechanical lifting aids or good maunual handling practices.
• There are six pairs of large muscles in the back some of which are responsible for the movements of the spinal column. These muscles can be injured when over-stressed in manual handling/lifting activities.

NO.2  SKIN BURNS OR IRRITATION

• When working with fresh concrete, care should be taken to avoid skin irritation or chemical burns or where possible use a concrete pump to reduce contact, proximity, ferquency and exposure to concrete.
• Prolonged contact between fresh concrete and skin  surfaces, eyes abd clothing may result in skin reactions and burns that are very severe, including third-degree burns. If irritation persists consult a physician. For deep burns or large affected skin area’s, seek medical attention immediately.
• Correct PPE should be worn at times and use of barrier creams (kept in all our trucks).

NO.3  OTHER SAFETY REASONS TO USE A PUMP

• Airborne dust hazards. A concrete pump can reduce contact, proximity, frequency and exposure and limit actions that cause dust in confined spaces.
• Concrete pumping not only makes a concrete pour more convenient, efficient, productive and consistant it improves safety on the entire project. Agitator trucks (aggies) are kept at the curb, away from embankments and other dangerous obstructions and vehicle movement is controled by the pump operator
• Pumping decreases stress level, heat stress and physical excursion for employees... Giving your company greater value from their employees.
• Pumping concrete provides a multitude of indirect benefits from financial to physical, these include: less site traffic and prep work, greater safety for employees and longer season.

NO.4  SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, INCREASE PROFITS

• A concrete pump places concrete faster and more accurately with less labour than any other method. A job that would take 5 men 2.5hrs to pour would only take 3 men 1 hr to pump. Contractors who pump consistently report labor savings of 50% compared to truck dumping.
• Pumping concrete helps you reap rewards both now and in the future. Today, you can realize greater profits, fewer headaches, and enhanced capabilities. Looking ahead, you can anticipate improved customer satisfaction and more opportunities.
• A continuous supply of pumped concrete can help set a steady work pace for the placement crew, thereby increasing productivity.
• Pumping not only results in savings in man power by reallocateing personnel to other duties but also in equipment and cycle times.
• In addition you can discharge more aggie trucks in less time using a pump, enabling you to complete more jobs a day.
• The increased revenue can be reinvested in your business for more equipment and labor as needed or enjoyed as profit, either way the financial benefits are significant.

NO.5  A QUALITY JOB TIME AFTER TIME

• Labor and time savings mean nothing if the quality of concrete placement does not meet expectations. For years, contractors pumping concrete have produced superior quality while reducing costly callbacks. Direct placement of concrete without re-handling also improves concrete quality.
• In addition, concrete pumping does not require special mixes for optimum quality therefore keeping concrete within specifications. A concrete pump will handle desired slumps and eliminate the need for excess water which can result in concrete cracking.
• Excessive movement of concrete by tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes can cause segregation reducing your concrete’s effectiveness. Concrete free falling from a height of greater than 2 metres can also segregate concrete.
• An uncluttered job site and superior end results are hallmarks of concrete pumps in the hands of experienced CPQ certified operators.

NO.6  PUMPING KEEPS JOBS MOVING

• Scheduling is one of the most critical aspects of a concrete pour. There is no room for down time on a busy job site. Contractors with the right equipment place concrete more efficiently, regardless of weather, time of day or job site conditions.
• Pumping can take place under any weather conditions, including snow and rain, since the concrete is protected from the elements during transport to the placement area
• Pumping concrete allows a contractor to place floor slabs on upper floors before completing the concrete work on lower floors. This provides protection from weather when working on lower floors.
• Pumping can be used when the space available for construction equipment is limited few obstacles can block a concrete pumping pipeline. Pipelines can corner sharply, pass through narrow spaces, travel over or under walls, etc.
• Concrete pumps help mixer dispatchers (batchers) by providing more predictable unloading times. The steady flow from the pump can also increase finisher productivity because of the lack of interruptions and delays.
• Pumped concrete can be placed in area’s that are difficult or impossible to reach by other placement methods.
• Unlike human resources, pumps show up for work on time without complaint and never take a lunch break. In the event of a problem, back-up systems or trucks can keep a pump running through job completion and wear parts are designed for easy replacement.
• Site preparation for a typical pour can be time consuming, labor intensive and unpredictable, hampering efficient scheduling.
• Eliminating the need to build and move access ramps, concrete pumping can very often facilitate completion of an entire job from one location while keeping ready-mix trucks safely at the curb. Pumps also reduce excavating time from 10% to 15% and make backfilling easier. As a result, your company will be more productive, stay on schedule, and have more satisfied customers.

NO.7  VERSATILITY IS VALUE ADDED

• Pumping concrete provides flexibility in the types of jobs you can take and the efficiency at which you complete them. Job site to job site, no matter what your concrete placement needs, a concrete pump opens a world of opportunities. For large pours, multiple pumps can be set up, allowing several trucks to discharge at the same time.
• The tallest buildings built in the past decade were pumped, even in excess of 1,000 feet high. Pumps can also achieve capacities in excess of 250 cubic meters per hour. Whether at ground level or on an impressive skyscraper, pumping concrete is the versatile and convenient way to get the job done right.
• From small trailer-mounted pumps up to the most powerful line pumps and longest truck-mounted boom pumps, concrete pumpers have a wide variety of choices for countless applications.