What should a Professional Operator do when they are directed to take out equipment that will not meet the specs of the job they are sent to do.  For example - the seals from their agitator are leaking oil into the concrete?  The cups or barrels are worn out and they pump excess water into the concrete?  A holding valve on a boom is bad and one section leaks down?   Other issues arise that causes the pump to break down on the job and the operator had reported the problems to the company before the break down?  There are issues with the valve system or seals that won't allow you to pump concrete that is dry and you have to add water?

What do you do?   Do you just do what the manager or owner tells you to do?  Do you tell the customer about your problems that may affect his job?  What do you do?

 Well I guess it all depends on who you are, and your company's financial situation. If they dont have the money to fix it or dont care you better go find another job. If they believe in your opinion and value you as an employee you might have a chance.

you go out to the job and make the pump break down before you start. and send for a mecanic.

what i do? if i think risks are at stake i simply don't leave the shop.

you don't tell the client, it is not his busyness. a proffesional knows how he can lock down his machinery. 

you send the manager an e-mail stating the state of the pump the day before so you have a written statement.

I'm sure glad I havn't had to do something stuipid.There was one company that used sch 40 as boom pipe on a titan resulting in one death/one injury when the boom colapsed.The are several great companies out the that believe there maint is there company,you know who you are.

The response I've always gotten was "you can go run it or we can find someone else who will" that's fine with me most o the time. But sometimes you've got to pay the bills.

Tell your boss of your concerns and that you will not be endangering other poeple's lives with bad equiptment.  Its like having your CDL, if you find a problem in your pretrip and you neglict it, your liable.  Your liable anyway because you are the driver/operator.  

"you can go run it or we can find someone else who will"

I wished I had a dime every time I have heard that one.I believe those days are numbered,one can only hope.For me if something ever happened you can bet the owner's going with me.

In the interest of political correctness -

As an operator did I ever take a pump out that was not capable of pumping a mix - Yes

As an operator did I ever take a pump truck on the road that was not safe to be on the road - Yes

As a manager did I ever send out pumps that fit both of the above situations - Yep

As a former Operator/Manager do I regret ever putting people, equipment and job sites in Danger - YES Every Day!

What is the solution?  I don't know - I will say this though - every operator should keep a daily in depth log of everything that they do, say and report.  This log should be truthful and only contain the facts.  If you report issues with your pump - then put it in your personal log.  You never know when you will be in court.  In every case I have ever been involved with - the people sueing will sue the operator, the company they work for, the contactor, and everyone else just to see what falls out of the tree.  The operator needs to protect themselve first and the company 2nd.  Rest assured that you should not let any manager or owner know you keep a detailed log of everything you report.  That is a legal document. 

The bottom line is owners will insist on making a profit every day - if the manager does not 'tweek' the rules and regulations to accomplish that - they will be unemployed.  Protect yourself - document everything.

 Many if you know about that accident I know you probably worked for Les back then. The other company you must have been refering to must be BB.

Awh,now ya went and done it (grin).Yes in part,I still talk to that operator,sad.As for bbcp,my experience with them is they are 1st class in safety,bar none.I have been inside and outside the circle and i'm proud to have been a part.Yeah,that was a father/son accident,so sad,I was in summit county and knew within 60 min.

If you feel that the pump is unsafe to run don't run it. The holding valve on the boom would be a red flag for me. As a operator once you leave the yard with a pump its all on you. 

Well I think the operator who says no to running a unsafe pump has Morals. Question is how many know what unsafe is. Holding valves , cracked welds, bent booms , outriggers leaking down , 90's on the ass end worn paper thing , rotex out off tolerance . Something to think about opertors are your boom inspections up to date? Worn rams , leaking agitators, are not on my list . 

Third and final reply. Operators your are off the hook on boom inspections . The owner is reponsible for that one. Operators be safe look for the structual damage on the pump you run and say no to running it. Owners keep the opertators safe with boom inspections. 

 None of you can tell me you are perfect even you Many. Everybody has made a mistake even at BBCP. I have, Dont Bullshit Me. Nobodys perfect believe me I know.

On the subjuct of HOS....has anyone on this site ever worked for a pump company that actually followed these rules???  I haven't!!!  Worked 15 yesterday and only 8 off,  I live a hour away from our shop but what do you do??  Say no and you don't have a job anymore!!!

A lot of respect for the older guys here , always was taught to respect my elders, but when flat out lies are told to suit their stories and my guys are involved in the lies I tend to lose respect, I have no patience for ,liars, cowards,thieves, and people that hide behind computer screens then try and run like a little chastized school girl to Daddy hoping for something to happen, sooooo sorry Lil Mikey didn't happen , in fact leaving on a all expense paid fishing trip for me and my operators next weekend , and yes you will be the topic of many laughs , thanks for the entertainment.

Wow do these DOT regulations really apply to our industry? Is it on a state-by-state basis if so? What is the penalty for class B drivers if we are stopped and have no logbook? I did a formal truck driving school for my class A, so I am familiar with the regulation and penalties for class A vehicles and drivers over hours but it was my understanding we were considered* local class B* drivers witch regulations vary slightly, and I have been led to believe these regulations do not apply, you have me wanting to some homework on this. (not that it will change my schedule in the slightest, more so I am aware)

I stay smiling , but sorry me and my guys are selective on the people we fish with , and sorry your NOT TMI material , so go however far you want to go , I can catch fish in a pond , river , ocean , marsh ,doesn't matter I have boats for all , and tackle , but again am selective on who I fish and work with and ummmm , you ain't doing either ! LOL, have a nice life , I know I am .

Thanks for the picture of my brain Many - You know It is not that big but I appreciate the compliment LOL

LMAO! You boys are so silly, each one of you has something of great value to share with us rookies so its important ya'll play nice