The National Ready Mix Concrete Association estimates that, in the US alone, about 400 million cubic yards of concrete were placed in 2022. Aside from the drum and volumetric delivery trucks creating the backbone of our concrete jungle, one of the most efficient ways in getting this concrete from point A to point B on the jobsite is the truck-mounted concrete pump. Doing this work is an estimated 10,000 truck-mounted concrete pumps working with 30,000 mix trucks (American Concrete Pumping Association, ACPA). Of this, they estimate that these pumps are placing anywhere from 10 to 100 cubic yards of concrete per hour.
It's a lot of concrete.
If you consider the people operating the pump, trucks, and the workers in the surrounding area, there are more than 300,000 construction professionals in close proximity to a pump.
It's a lot of people.
With the goal of keeping every person on the jobsite safe, the ACPA launched major safety campaign to bring heightened awareness of ASME B30.27, the Safety Standard for Material Placement Systems. The campaign highlights the responsibilities of each trade working with or around a concrete pump under the standard.
“The ACPA saw an industry need to ensure that everyone on the job site has a clear understanding of their responsibilities under the ASME B30.27 standard,” says Christi Collins, executive director for the American Concrete Pumping Association and member of the ACPA Job Site Safety Committee. “Our goal of this campaign is to encourage partnering across all the trades because, when we all work together, we create a safer environment for everyone.”
American Concrete Pumping Association
The B30.27 standard is intended to prevent or minimize injury to workers and otherwise provide for the protection of life, limb and property by prescribing safety requirements. It provides direction to manufacturers, owners, employers, users and others concerned with or responsible for its application, and guide governments and other regulatory bodies in the development, promulgation and enforcement of appropriate safety directives.
Since its first publication in 2005, the standard has gone through several reviews (every five years), with revisions including the addition of a competency requirement, the definition of “signalperson" and job site responsibilities. While the most recent version of the standard, published in 2020, includes some revisions and redesignations, there were no changes to the job site responsibilities established in the 2014 version.
“By raising awareness and providing valuable resources, this campaign will help construction trades prevent accidents, protect their workers and partner together to heighten safety awareness for everyone on a job site,” says Tabah Nez, safety director for the ACPA. “We are most efficient when everyone is armed with knowledge and then gets involved in the planning process.”
Throughout 2023 and beyond, the ACPA say that they will continue to expand the campaign’s impact by inviting associations and organizations across all trades to join in and support this important effort. In addition, the microsite will be regularly updated to provide content and resources that will educate, encourage and empower those on job sites to do their part to keep everyone safe.
“The success of the campaign is dependent on the collaboration of many,” says Collins. “We are thankful for the industry leaders, including the American Society of Concrete Contractors, Concrete Foundations Association and Tilt-Up Concrete Association, who have stepped up to support this campaign. Together, we will raise awareness and help create a safer work environment for everyone.”
