HAS ANYONE BOTHERED TO READ the latest "Set of Standards" from the offshoot Concrete Pump Manufactures Association? It is well worth the read.

The pumping industry has long seen a lack of 'standards' to which we might be held accountable.Those days are in the past. When the OSHA people showed upon the job, prior to these directives, as long as the pumper had on his hard hat, safety glasses, and was well clear of the power lines he was relatively safe from any OSHA penalties.

A new day has arrived pumpers, wake up to the new job-site; you are now being judged by THE RULE OF LAW......... OSHA STYLE.

www.cpmass.com go to press releases & click on the pdf in the upper let hand corner of the page.

You need to read every single word. OSHA is. These are the standards by which you are being judged.

On the up-side these rules could have been created by government people that did not have a clue as to the nature of our business. You say that day was on the way, this is better, we should police our own.

There are two seperate standards in the new "REGULATIONS"

One says 'should'. The other says 'shall'.

Everyone remember the 10 commandments? Thow SHALL NOT ........... ETC. This is pretty much the same.

So when the OSHA guy shows up you had better have your shit together, tight and right. You should have anyway, but now just because

this is the way we have always done it and it works just fine .............. this does not cut it any more.

Right and tight or pay the fine.

This 'change' is not going to cost me

$00.01 - I have no dog in this fight, I just like to read, so I did.

I suggest you read too.

What dose everyone think about this. How will this translate to the people who own Concrete Pumps or make them?

I'm Glad that I make the rules in my house, it benefits me and my family. If my kids made the rules my life would be much different. I guess he who makes the rules rules?

I wonder if there is any parallels here? Just thinking out loud.

I believe whole heartedly that if you pump concrete you should read these rules, if you don’t it’s your fault………

Read chapter 1 - very first sentence.

The way I read it is that yes, OSHA will use these standards in looking at the way we do our job. I think that this is a good thing. We all need structure in our lives and since most operators think that their way is the right and only way to do things, well by definition there is no structure.

I believe that these standards were well thought out before they were put down on paper, and put out as "the Rules".

For anyone that wondered how to do it the right way, well, just read and know. All of the folks that comply with these directives will have fewer accidents and eventually better insurance rates. It is really a good tool if we use it ourselves. The other side of the coin is that if we don't use it OSHA will. The problem is when they use it the results will be punative, not positive.

Everyone that has access to a computer can download the 'pdf' and KNOW right from wrong. There are no excuses for half-assing a set-up, not using a safety strap or priming out in close proximity to live/human people.

If a company is on the ball it will make sure that all of the operators know about these standards. Companies should require that all of these standards are followed all of the time............... 100%.

So my answer is yes, I believe that an operator can be written up, and fined by OSHA for not doing his job within these standards.

I also hope that when the fine is levied the company makes the operator dig in his pocket and come up with the money. Unless the company is one of those that doesn't care about safety. Then the owner should pay the fine when he gets out of jail

Spin off may have been a poor choice of words.

I see that the CPMA  has changed their website. The pdf containing the new standards has been removed. I hope you all downloaded a copy before that happened. If not you will have to call Rob Edwards @ Schwing to get a copy.

I wish that they would put it back up on line.

http://www.cpmass.com/media/press%20release%204.011.pdf

Here is the link, i think this is what your talking about.

NOPE!!! That is not it.

check the date

Such big letters, stop yelling at me, lol

Well has anyone called them and asked them were it is or why its down. U da man Bob. Let us know whats up.

I checked today and link that Todd provided is still good.  And Bob is right, these are the rules, and these are the guidelines that OSHA will go by.  Anyone in a managment role in this industry needs to print out these rules, study them, and understand them; and then pass them out to employees and explain them until everyone understands them, and have them sign something stating so.  And if the employees fail to follow them, write them up and/or terminate them for negligance or unsafe practices.  Otherwise if there is a citation or God forbid an accident it is documented that the operator says he knows better, and your company has a safety/training program in place teaching these guys right from wrong.  If not, the owner/manager should expect to be named in a lawsuit.

The CPMA standards are intended for use by the manufacturers (of pumping equipment and concrete pumping system ..or pipe/hose/clamps etc..). The specifications in the standard relate to manufacuring standards. These specifications are not intended to be used to govern (or evaluate) the practices of users.

The ACPA Safety standards are intended for use by the users.

Just wanted to clear this up.

Now...some of the specifications in the CPMA standards have some relevance to users obviously... For this reason a few (or several pumpers) from the ACPA contributed during the creation of the CPMA standards.

Also...some specifications that have relevance to the user and might be enforceable on the user are spec.s relating to E-Stop and other obvious safety devices. If a user damages one of these devices (or similar safety "device" such as Safety stickers) and does not repair or replace in a reasonable time frame, it might not be a good thing for OSHA or other enforcement bodies to see.

Please respond with questions....