Flat hose, wind, lightning guides extend concrete pumping safety

Sources: American Concrete Pumping Associatin, Lewis Center, Ohio; CP staff

The American Concrete Pumping Association has released Safety Bulletin: Use of Lay Flat Hose, plus updated Safety Guidelines for Wind Velocity and Lightning. The bulletin illustrates handling guidelines for using lay-flat hoses, which allow for improved flow control and lower placement rates than standard concrete boom tip hoses and suit pumping in tight spaces such as insulating concrete forms, columns and walls. The Wind Velocity and Lightning documents recommend practices for challenging weather events. Wind Velocity reflects changes to previous generic guidelines and defers more specifically to the pump manufacturer; Lightning expands on criteria for halting placement operations when lighting is present and when it is safe to re-start. The Flat Hose, Wind Velocity and Lightning publications join the association’s extensive safety library posted here

“It is important for pumpers and contractors to understand the differences between lay-flat and standard boom tip hose applications,” says ACPA Executive Director Christi Collins. “Although similar, each have specific guidelines that should be followed for their respective uses. This new safety bulletin responds to a need for increased education when using lay-flat hoses to avoid certain hazards, such as kinking, which can cause a hose whipping. Hose whippings are a leading cause of accidents with a concrete pump.” Continually updating resources for equipment and site conditions is part of ACPA’s mission to promote a positive safety culture within the concrete pumping industry, she adds.

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