I drove by a job-site today and decided to check it out. There was a 36/38/40x pumping an elevated deck (3^rd floor-small pour). I guess the reason I stopped was because it didn’t seem possible that a pump could even set-up there. It was a small site with an even smaller set-up area. The job was a mid-rise condo with underground parking……. No wasted space.

I had no business on the job, but if you have a new white hard hat, safety glasses, a clipboard, a safety vest and a camera; well who would stop you? I just wanted to look at the setup; just curious.

The operator, who I did not know (perhaps mid 40s – confident -  been there/done that attitude) was pouring pretty much over the front and to the passengers side; he was up on the deck.

Two things were obvious; 1. no dunnage under any of his pads and 2. his outriggers were not open all the way – none of them!

I got back in my car and left. I did not wish to be a witness for the prosecution.

Here is my take on this deal.

1.    The contractor knew that there was not room for a boom pump

2.    A salesman had probably checked out the job and he knew too

3.    Either the job had no safety man or – he was a coward

4.    The operator knew that it was POSSIBLE to make the pour

5.    They got away with it……………….. again

All of the above does not make it acceptable to do that job with that pump. All that really happened was that everyone involved reinforced piss-poor safety habits and risk injury or death to everyone in the area.

I am fairly certain that as slick and twisted as those in charge of that pour and those companies are that they did not consider the damage/stress to the pump. This is the killer that lies in wait for “the next time”

The stress I am talking about is the stress to the bottom plate of the outer box of the front-right outrigger. None of the ‘X’ model pumps, to my knowledge, have adequate material cross section in that area to receive and carry that load. There are reinforcement plates welded to that structure in the areas that         ARE designed to carry the load. Those areas are at where the inner box would typically contact the bottom plate of the outer box WHEN THE OUTRIGGER IS FULLY EXTENDED.

So, the risk of that job does not end when that job is over. There are reasons for all of the directives in an “Operators manual and safety guide” You should all have one in your truck………………… read it.

Let everyone come to work again tomorrow.

Big E

I hope my intent is as clear.

B-SAFE

;~)

Some sites that ive been on have a big board in the entrance that tells you who has been kicked off site and why, i feel that this web site has a whole lot of power and i think that the chance of been court out and your company name been put on a wall of shame would stop a lot of people doing stupid things out there, what do you lot think to that?

Speedy,

I am a reader, I just can't help it. If it is in front of me I read it. The Putz' Operator Manual says what you do is correct. ALWAYS keep your boom between two fully extended outriggers. My problem with this guy was that he didn't even bother to cheat and pull his pump in at an angle so as to alow the extension of at least one (the primary) outrigger. All in all it was a f*&%$# pour. /// the problem with strength is not the inner (extendable) box, it is the outer/fixed/part of the turret assembly/ box that is the problem. 

X style outriggers should NEVER be partialy extended, not even on the short rigged side, if it is a two piece then fully extend the part nearest the truck all the way and bring the outside section back in till they touch. Bob i agree with you i have seen to many people take dumbass chances and get away with it. One case i remember the guy was famous for pulling that kind of thing on an old 42m schwing then one day guess what? all that stress to those outriggers caught up with him, luckley no one was injured but it could have been very ugly. There is NO job so impordant where you should do ANYTHING that goes against the saftey manual for anyone and if your salesman / manager tells you to they should be fired on the spot.

So your saying that short rigging on one side should not be done?--I am confused Midnight. If the weight of the boom is over fully extended outriggers--then would it cause damage on the non-load bearing side. I talked to the putz guys just the other day and they said it was ok and would not if the boom weight was not extended over them.

Russ

That is what they told me too Russ. The problem always shows up when someone MISunderstands a specific instruction. Or just doesn't really care about the instruction at all.

it's fine to shortrig but their (as bob stated) supports in the X style outriggers like the front ones on putz that should never be partialy extened because the support blocks won't line up properley.Their should even be a decal somewhere near the outrigger or the control valves stating that. so why would putz say partially extend it then put a label on it saying not to? hmmmm

I want to point out again though. You should only operate within the range of the load bearing side fully extended outiggers. Basically in between the lines. Also be careful when folding up to not over rotate the boom and fold up behind the truck. Very DANGErous.

Russ