This question has been asked by one of my operators. Perhaps Bob could help out by letting us all know what the answer is. As you know if plastic is wet it gets pretty slippery and could become an accident waiting to happen for mixer driver's or who ever comes into contact with it.If you don't have it under your hopper are you still responsible for any property damage that may occur?

You need to talk to your insurance company. ;~)

Don't put down plastic,if the contractor wants it behind the pump,let him do it.

Owning a concrete pump puts you in line for potential liability. Everything you do in the scope of your work adds to that potential. You must do your job. What you do over and above that needs to be viewed in the light of ‘risk -v- benefit’.

Bisley57 is right, 100% right.

You must always think about what it is that you are doing and the possible results of that.

Every year, you pay an insurance company to, within limits; cover your company for the possible negative results of your actions. The more negative results, the more you pay. So when someone asks about intentionally creating a slick, dangerous area at the back of their pump…….. I say, TALK TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY.

i always suggest it to the contractor but do not put it down myself if I do put it down its a small piece that doesnt cover a big area just enuff to catch dripping spray oil thats my responsibility the mess ready mix drivers leave is there problem

If the ready mix drivers did there job right we wouldn;t even be having this conversation right now.But anyways it up to the contractor.

Ruck

In the Republic of California,the county's took over the implementation and enforcement of SWPPP ( Storm water pollution prevention program) for extra revenue and THEY require that pumps provide plastic under the hopper as well as a diaper( a 30-40'x5' piece of rubber coated canvas) that stretches under the frame from front bumper to ass-end to prevent oil or grease contamination.So my guess is that the pump company must assume liability.I do know that in Contra Costa County,a pump company was fined for cementious contamination when a mixer driver overflowed his chute onto the ground behind the pump. When the operator argued with the inspector he was told that if it was within the reach of his boom, it was within the scope of his responsibility! I know that the fine was somewhere around $10,000 and it was still being fought over in court when I left.

Mudslinger, You hit the nail on the head. It's a catch 22 regarding(SWPP) Although because of the economy you don't see them driving around as much as they use too.It'is a VERY GREY area regarding the plastic scenario according to the insurance co's.The bottom line is if you want to continue pumping at these sites I suggest you do so at "Your Own" risk.Imagine that!, We still get to take FULL responsibility of actions surrounding our pumps.It Doesn't matter if the contractor or the operator puts the plastic down, Your still liable because you allowed it and knew it could possibly be a hazard.Welcome to Calif!!.Welcome to their system.

You can only imagine how bad its getting up here. In the land of latte sucking, salmon saving, tree huggers, I've seen jobs that have (2) shop-vac operators at the pump station thats fully covered in plastic. If you so much as rinse your Boots (2) guys attack the mess with "Shop-Vac's"!!!

I have skated around on plactic so much I've wondered why there is no "Treaded Plastic" for traffic areas. You would think there would be such a thing?