The National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association estimates that over 400 million cubic yards of concrete were placed in last year, in 2022. Of that, a significant amount has passed through a concrete pump. As an industry, the percentage of pumping as increased compared to a decade ago. With this amount of concrete, more than 300,000 construction workers work within 100 ft. of a concrete pump. For that, safety hazards like hose whipping on the discharge end, truck tipping, and the dangers from the 100,000 ft./lb. pressure load on the ground put a lot of people in a potential danger zone. Unfortunately, many contractors aren't aware of what to know the safety responsibilities at and surrounding the concrete pump. The American Concrete Pumping Association has put efforts forth to change that.
Announced at CONEXPO/CON-AGG, the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) announced their major safety campaign (wearesafertogether.org) bringing awareness of jobsite safety when working with or around a concrete pump. The campaign highlights the responsibilities of each trade and the importance of working together to achieve the ultimate goal of keeping every person on a jobsite safe. At CONEXPO/CON-AGG, the association presented that other major trade associations have pledged their support.
The ACPA also announced the plans to launch an online "university" co-worker safety training program. They expect this to be available later 2023.
American Concrete Pumping Association
"The success of the campaign is dependent on the collaboration of many," says Christi Collins, ACPCA executive director. "We are thankful for the industry leaders who have already stepped up to support this campaign, and we are actively seeking more organizations including concrete contractors, to join our coalition. Together, we will raise awareness and help create a safer work environment for everyone."
To date, the American Society of Concrete Contractors, Concrete Foundations Association, Tilt-Up Concrete Association, and concrete contractor Joseph J. Albanese have pledged their support.
"Concrete placement places an integral role in the day-to-day activities for concrete contractors. Many variables and degrees of responsibility are based on the scope of work and the parties involved. The ACPA jobsite safety awareness campaign helps communicate responsibilities to those who own, operate, and work around concrete pumps. This campaign strives to ensure those involved are aware of the related hazards and understand their roles and responsibilities under the ASME B30.27 standard to ensure safe work conditions and practices are met. The ASCC is proud to partner with ACPA, a committed industry partner, to help spread awareness around jobsite safety."
-Joseph Whiteman, ASCC Director of Safety Services
American Concrete Pumping Association
"High pressure and tight schedules require increasing awareness of the standards and practices that help keep workers safe. We've seen too many significant injuries on projects, even by safety-conscious contractors. The Concrete Foundations Association is proud to support this critically important jobsite safety campaign and spread the message about the B30.27 standard to anybody who owns, operates, or works around concrete pumps."
-James R. Baty II, FACI, CFA Executive Director
American Concrete Pumping Association
"Increasing awareness of the standards and practices that help keep workers safe is an ongoing part of our commitment to the future of this industry. The Tilt-Up Concrete Association supports this imperative jobsite safety campaign, which highlights each trade's responsibilities under B30.27. We will be an active partner to spread the message to anybody who owns, operators or works around concrete pumps - significant contributors to the growth of tilt-up construction."
-Mitch Bloomquist, TCA Executive Director
American Concrete Pumping Association
"At joseph J. Albanese, we are fully devoted to our mission of 'Getting It Done Safely!' Thi sis why we support this incredibly important jobite safety campaign. When each trade understands their responsibilities under B30.27 when working with or around a concrete pump, the entire jobsite is safe."
-John Messing, JJA Safety Director
The cornerstone of the campaign is the microsite WeAreSaferTogether.org which provides valuable information to all who work with or around concrete pump equipment. The website serves as an educational resource that provides jobsite responsibilities by trade, videos, downloadable flyers, FAQs, and more. It will be regularly updated to keep all construction professionals safe on the jobsite.
American Concrete Pumping Association
ASME B30.27
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 guides governments and other regulator bodies in the development, promulgation, and enforcement of appropriate safety directives.
Since its first publication in 2005, the standard has gone through several revisions including the addition of a competency requirement, the definition of "single person" and jobsite responsibilities. While the most recent version of the standard (2020) includes some revisions and redesignations no changes to jobsite responsibilities have changed since 2014.
Join
Interested in joining the campaign? Contact Taylor White at [email protected]. Coalition members are featured on the campaign website and will be given equipment decals and other promotional materials as they become available.
"By raising awareness and providing valuable resources, this campaign will help construction trades prevent accidents, protect their workers, and partner together to heiten safety awareness for everyone on a jobsite," 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."
