OPERATOR CHECKLIST

1. Arrive at yard – rested

      a. Pre-trip inspection   DOT

      b. Walk around – (YOUR COMPANY NAME HERE)

            1. Back end buttoned-up

            2. Outriggers locked

            3. Remote

            4. Sponge 

      c. System check

            1. Safety straps (ONE) for each hanging item

            2. Pipes, hoses, clamps and special items

      d. PPE

            1. Hard hat

            2. Safety glasses

            3. Fall protection

      e. Documentation

            1. Registration

            2. over weight permit

            3. Insurance card

            4. Job ticket

            5. Correct drivers license for equipment

      f. Clean windows & mirrors

      g. Wear seat belt

      h. Lights on for safety

2. Driving    

      a. Alert

      b. Follow the rules of the road

      c. Following distance – differs for road conditions and truck size

      d. Lane changes signal and plan well in advance

      e. Be aware of traffic conditions

3. Arrive at job site (check with superintendent or foreman FIRST)

      a. Ground conditions

            1. Soil

            2. Underground hazards

      b. Set-up

            1. 3 deg’ level

            2. Dunnage (sufficient to transfer download to soil within ACPA specs)

            3. Overhead obstructions – cranes (communicate!)

            4. Power lines – NEVER operate closer than 17 feet

            5. Mixer access

            6. Other craft traffic

            7. Reach

            8. Job site safety hazards

c. Prime out

            1. Warning to crew

            a. Hose whip (all personnel at a safe reasonable distance)  

            b. Hose kinking (watch for boom “sag”)

            c. Concrete splatter

            d. Line pressure (listen, watch gauge)

            e. Proximity to boom & system (no one under boom)

d. Prime agent    

1. Type (water, commercial compound, ready-mix grout)

2. Amount (sufficient for entire system)

c. Sequence (primer – mixture – concrete)

4. Pumping

      a. Plan the pour  

            1. Communicate with hose man (discuss signals)

      b. Anticipate the move (do not play catch up)

      c. Hose hugging (do not move the boom with head close to hose)

      d. RM truck safe backing

      e. Crew aware of hose movement

      f. Things we will not do

            1. Boom closer than 17’ to high voltage line

            2. Boom over power line

            3. Boom over occupied house * sign ticket

            4. Boom thru unsecured joist

            5. Boom over moving traffic   * sign ticket

5. Moving

      a. All considerations of original set up

      b. Hose whip if sponge is used

      c. Concrete batch time (be aware of all aspects of your concrete)

            1. Temperature of concrete

            2. Admixtures

            3. Slump

            4. Ambient temperature

      d. Re-stow boom & outriggers

6. Cleaning boom

      a. Sponge – suction

            1. Retrieve speed (a rapid retrieve will cause problems)

            2. Hopper blow back (hopper cover to be in place)

      b. Water pressure (water pressure behind ‘sucked’ sponge)

            1. Water in hopper

            2. Washout plug & water pump

c. Air pressure DANGER!!! REQUIRES TWO PROPERLY TRAINED PEOPLE

            1. Proper blow out cap

            2. Catch basket

            3. Danger

            4. Use as a method of last resort

7. Cleaning hopper and valve

      a. Grate – closed

      b. Eye protection (most dangerous time for operator’s eyes)

      c. Hands never in valve (never means never)

      d. Water rationing

8. Moving off site

      a. Rear end buttoned up

      B. All gear retrieved

      c. Ticket signed

      d. Walk around

            1. Dunnage – pads secure

            2. System secure

            3. Outriggers all locked

            4. Remote in cab

            5. Call dispatch

9. Return to yard

      a. Complete all required DOT post trip

      b. Turn in all tickets & log

      c. Notify shop of problems

      d. Check clipboard

      e. Clear out with dispatch

10. Drive home safely – Your family needs you SAFE!

Nice work Bob,

Seems like the first thing on your list is often over looked by Pump Owners/Managers

 Arrive Rested this does not mean work till 8:30 pm then have a 1:00 am leave yard time.

This does not mean calling your employees at 3:30pm after they have been working since 11:00pm the night before and sending them to a late afternoon pour because they are "THE ONLY ONE" that can get to a job......

That is a great point Big stick.

"Just say NO

You really can not blame an employer for wanting to make as much money as he can. Operators on the big sticks are the most at risk for needing super powers of GO GO GO . Too often the sleep and rest take a distant second place.

And this is where it gets tricky.

The choices are, after you have done as much as you can:

1. Go do some more.

2. Go do some drugs so that you CAN do some more.

3. Go back to bed after politely explaining to the boss/manager/dispatcher that your good sense meeter has pressured out and it is absolutely necessary for you to get some sleep.

Often that choice is pretty tough to make and live with. But when it comes right down to it; it is your choice to make. You must be prepared to live with the repercussions, good and bad.

Making decisions potentially involving people living and dying is a tough call, but it is yours and only yours to make.

printed out and place into my turnover file....nice Bob.

Another good one Bob. It is nice to go into the week thinking pumping. I remember just starting out as a rookie. Rest was not in the vocabulary. It was more like. I got this job that pays a lot of money. We are going to have some fun. I am glad we get older and wiser. Wish I had some of that rookie cash I blew! LOL

Good point bob but its often the choice between, if I refuse this job I will not be a danger to my self or no one on the job site, but where am I going to get gas money to drive down to the unemployment office next week?

Pump Owner, Managers, Dispatchers how would you like to write this letter?

Dear Little Sally,

I am so sorry your daddy will never come home from work because my operator who was on his 12th hour of work was ordered to go to your daddy's job site and run a 102,000 lb machine over his head, My operator knew he was to tired to go to the job but because he knew I would either fire him or take away his pump and give him some piece of garbage to run as punishment he chose to go to the job.  Your Daddy had no Idea My operator has running on less brain function than someone that is over the legal limit of Alcohol. Your Daddy will never come home again because my operator was "THE ONLY ONE" that could make it to his job site and instead of giving the job away or holding the mud off an hour till a more rested operator could safely do the job, I chose to order my guy to do the job and your daddy was killed, because of a mistake my operator made.  Please accept my apologies and one free t shirt and 4 free hard hat stickers for your troubles,

Sincerely,

Greedy Pump Owner