We agree on our united cause of being as safe as we can as pump operators. Sometimes we are not in sync as to exactly how to go about this. Plan ‘A’ might be good for one situation but not the next. We need to be flexible. Too work safe and be safe we need the help of the contractor. Contractors are just like us in one big area; they accept suggestions from a person with a smile better than from someone with a snarl.

Example:

You show up at the pour for Mud Hole Construction and get out of your unit to find the super. He has a job that is behind schedule because of all the rain and is not looking for any additional problems. He shows you the two areas that are on for today’s pour. The one he wants you to do first is down back of the swamp, through the sippy hole right next to the washed out bank of the flooded river. The second pour is really hard to get to. Yikes! How do you let this poor guy in on the fact that you failed to bring the turbo-swamp buggy pump with you today? How do you breach the subject? Is he aware of the fact that when you get stuck… he is responsible for paying for a way to get you back out?

OK, so it isn’t really that bad, just close. But the reason he called your company was to pump the concrete, not tell him why it can not be done. He is looking for a solution, not another problem. Chances are that the way you handle this day’s pour will determine who does the other big job they are starting next week.

“Man, there is no way that I am going to pull my pump in there. I am not going to have some dumb ass wrecker driver screw up my pump. This is a bunch of crap. I am taking my ass to the house; see ya, wouldn’t want to be ya!”

When you get back to the yard and get fired; don’t think of a career change into politics. Your mom wouldn’t even vote for you. It is time to rewind and come at this from a different angle. We need to find a way to do the job safely and with a lower level of drama. Start by smiling and shaking the man’s hand. Look and think before you speak. Ask, don’t tell.

Any other suggestions? ;~)

mmmmm

I just guess I always liked to be early on jobs,10 minutes extra can give one the edge.I always greeted super/forman with a handshake.We then walked the job and I alerted him/her to concerns.There was many times I simply had to shoot from the hip but they knew.

Remember now I am 40 min before mud,should a real problem exist I always invoked the "5 min rule".This applies to more than breakdowns.

Oh,they always got a thank you and a handshake on leaving.

   I am with Many,I like to be the first person on the job.I mean before any foreman or potential paying customer.By the time anyone shows up I can have the set-up figured out and all questions will already be answered by the time someone shows up.With all this uncertainess behind us I can set up and deal with my usual routine without having someone suggesting this or that.You can't beat a moonlit early morning setting up your pump,then before you know it the flashights and floodlights will drown the serenity..............

With all that hand shaking going on - just remember your 99% germ killing, waterless hand cleaner...

be proffesional.  looking good, clean cut, uniform on and a smile and the hand shake go a long way.  one thing we all have to remember is that we are the only or first representative this customer will meet from our company.  FIRST IMPRESSION.  walk the site and know your equipment and any other alternatives the client may have (line pumps or boom and system). get the job done safely and you may have just locked the job and customer down.

"looking good, clean cut, uniform on and a smile"

Then I have to change My profession ! *LoL*

V z rider

hard hat, safety glasses, vest and hearing protection..... looks proffesional to me.   that also looks like a little bit of a smile.  sometimes cool out ways all else.