The Occupational Safety and Health Administrations Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) meeting went well yesterday in Washington DC.

I brought up all the safety concerns I could think of in the time they gave me to speak. I went over hose whipping, the use of outriggers, having an additional certified operator on booms larger then 50 meters or job conditions where and additional person is required due to distance or obstacles, and most importantly the recent fatalities due to no regulations on Concrete Pumps.

The committee listened intently as I spoke of the deaths and injuries due to these serious safety concerns. I gave the committee the web addresses for concretepumping.com and the ACPA so they can see what is posted there. The committee was intrigued and asked me to wait until after the meeting so they could speak to me.

Most of the board did not want to wait until the next committee meeting to gather information to present to OHSA. In that conversation I was told that Concrete Pumps will have their own entity, the regulations, if invoked will only be for Concrete Pumps.

I was asked to gather feedback from you (the people in the industry). Any and all safety concerns related to concrete pumping, whether it be related to a boom pump or pumping concrete to an underwater diver.

We need all the safety issues and concerns. The information you send will then be compiled and sent to a member of the board. Please email all feedback and concerns to

putzme22@yahoo.com.

List your concerns, your stories of safety issues or anything you think will help. You can send your personal information if you would like them to address your personally. This is our chance to be heard by the ACCSH…

Please help invoke the regulations necessary to save lives and injuries in our field of Concrete Pumping.

Merry Christmas! Send me your safety wish list today!

I guess we shall see what it brings.Yes,something needs to be addressed,now the rub.I can see it now,a collage grad,computer wiz,an out of work TSA agent dictating what is needed.We can only hope.

Many you have lots of time on a pump like i do.Two of the members have hose time on pumps.Problem is they have to have input,for anything to get done.Thats the problem!!