hey bob ,,, if we are paying attention we can here if the pump gets a air stroke,,, and a hose whip can be coused by a lot of different problems ,, so lets be carefull where we lay any blame for HOSE WHIP !!

I used to work for a guy that said Prevent the preventable problems. The ones we can change, could change, are the ones I worry about.And yes, you can hear, but it is very difficult on a commercial job; and since Mack decided to put the noisy-ass fan no one on the job can hear anything.

The following is not known as fact. It is the best information available to me at this time.The operator and several others were in a stairwell pumping details, steps and landings. They ran out of concrete. They needed a bit to finish the job. The operator was talked into pumping a dry hopper to get the last little bit out. It came out, followed by a large volume of compressed air, causing the hose to whip violently, injuring the operator and some other job personnel.Sometimes the best [b]favor[/b] you can do for some one is to say no.

No one died, that is the up-side of this happening. There is also something to be learned from this.All, or most, of you big boom operators (50meter & up) pump a dry hopper right before you suck a sponge to keep the hopper from overflowing. I understand and appreciate the fact that you are keeping the mess to a minimum. But at least in this one case, that routine dry-pumping has led to complacency. You are becoming comfortable with the idea of compressed air in your boom. In this case that familiarity caused three people to be injured because that familiar act of pushing the excess concrete out with air, compressed by your pump was added to the end of a pour in a confined space. Each act unto its self may be harmless, but when added to another; big problem. Washing parts in thinner is ok; to do it next to the welding table is foolish.We must all think [b]IF I DO THIS THEN.....[/b] what happens???Dont become so comfortable with your job that you think you could do it while asleep. Keep your mind on the prize.Keep your promise. ;)

email me your phone #, todd@concretepumping.com Todd Bullis

Great Idea, I will be glad to give my several,several years of experience to help with this site. Just let me know.....Todd, keep up with the great work

Compressed air in a pipe line is no freakin joke. I have seen a soft ball sponge make a perfect hole in a 1 piece of wood. Bob does Tom still have that piece of wood for demo at the safety meetings? It was a VERY scary site to see that happen. If a person was there they themselves would have that perfect circle in their body not the wood. http://www.pumpoperators.com/brian/ I love to pump concrete. It is in my blood. I will do whatever it takes to do the job right and safely! Almost 20yrs under my belt and still learning.