Three Critical Safety Guidelines for Your Concrete Pumping Project
Concrete pumps are valuable for both small-scale and large-scale construction projects. These machines increase the rate of productivity, decreasing the time required for completion of the work. They also reduce the amount of labour required for preparing and pouring concrete for specific structures. Additionally, they ensure uniformity and consistency of the concrete construction tasks. However, there are some safety factors that you should consider if you are planning on using this equipment for your project. If the equipment is not handled with care and efficiency, accidents could occur. Here are simple guidelines to you should consider or discuss with your contractor before project commencement.
Check the Pump for Wear
You should check your equipment for signs of wear before operation. In general, the presence of worn components, particularly gaskets and couplings, will affect the pumping performance and the safe operation of the concrete pump. In simple terms, if the gaskets or couplings are damaged, they will let in air or allow the escape of grout, compromising functionality. You should check couplings for surface wear because these elements come in contact with the piping. The gaskets will last longer when they are cleaned regularly to remove concrete from the cavity. Replacement should be carried out if the lips are worn. Also, you should check the valves and the pipeline for signs of deterioration.
Secure the Pipeline
Concrete pump accidents occur in some worksites due to improper tie-down of the system during operation. Therefore, you should be careful to avoid this oversight and subsequent problems. In general, there are supporting brackets which are designed to hold the concrete pipeline in position, vertically or horizontally, these should be installed and spaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. They will keep the pipeline in place and take the excess weight and stress from the coupling joints. Also, this setup will allow the equipment to efficiently transfer the pumping torque to the structure being built.
Clean the Equipment Properly
If the concrete pump is not cleaned correctly, the equipment will malfunction and cause danger to people around. In ideal circumstances, the pump should be cleaned with water, ensuring safety and optimal performance. If the concrete pump is to be cleaned with compressed air, you should ensure that extreme caution is upheld. This process allows pressure to build up in the lines and the air might remain within even after supply shutoff. This residue pressure can force out a clean-out ball through the open end, causing injury. Therefore, you should ensure that there is a bleed-off valve.
For more information, contact companies like Hunter Concrete Pump Hire.