Concrete Pumping and Injury to Workers

In the last couple of decades, the prevalence of concrete pumping trucks has become more frequent within the construction industry.

Concrete pumping trucks significantly reduce the manpower and time needed to move concrete from the mixing truck to where it is needed in the construction site.

Concrete pumping trucks have a pump mounted on the back of a truck with a long boom that pumps the concrete directly from the mixer truck at high pressure to the construction site.

One way that workers have been injured from the use of concrete pumping trucks is something known as whipping. According to the American Concrete Pumpers Association, workers should wait until the concrete is flowing smoothly before approaching the end of the hose.

Air may become trapped in the hose between concrete and due to the high pressure up to approximately 4,000 PSI the end of the hose may whip violently injuring nearby workers.

Another way that concrete workers can be injured by concrete pumping trucks, is by the boom operator. Often workers unknowingly allow the end of the house to rest against their shoulders to push the hose in the direction needed for the concrete crew.

Unfortunately, if the boom operator lowers it without the concrete “thrower’s” knowledge several hundred pounds of weight may be put on his shoulders causing serious injuries.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries or the loss of a family member due to a workplace construction injury, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-222-7211 or call toll-free at 1-800-870-9584.