November 12, 2009 - 6:02PM

A man has been taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition after being hit by concrete that shot out of a hose at worksite in the city's inner-north.

Ambulance Victoria said the 48-year-old worker was lowered from the second storey of a Fitzroy building by crane after the accident occurred shortly before 1.35pm.

Advanced life support paramedic Mark Collins said the man suffered a serious head injury.

"He had been laying concrete when ... a piece shot off and hit him in the head," Mr Collins said.

He said the wound was covered with pads and bandages, and the man was then transported to hospital.

A WorkSafe spokesman said the hose, which was attached to a concrete pump, was being cleaned when the piece of hardened concrete flew out of its nozzle and hit the man.

Our prayers go out to his familly

All I can say is tradgic,he will be in my thoughts today.The artical is a little confusing,wether using air or an air pocket/plug.

its funny how most accidents reported are from australia . raises the question . why are we the only country in the world still pouring concrete at 80mm slump putting maximum pressure on equipment and people causing unnesescary injuries and fatalaties that could have possibly been prevented by using better mix concrete and materials

Three things are to be learnt from this accident.

1. When Cleaning with air a BALL Catcher MUST be used by Law.

2. No hose shall be the last point of discharge also law.

3. Obey the law and the Manufacturers cleaning procedures and this accident would have been avoided