Queensland updates concrete pumping code of practice

Those in Queensland with a duty of care relating to construction work involving concrete pumping will soon be subject to an updated code of practice, according to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHS Queensland). The Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2019 is designed to meet current industry needs and safety concerns, reflect current best practice in the concrete pumping and construction industry and align with model work health and safety laws implemented in Queensland in 2012, WHS Queensland said. It comes into effect on 2 December and supersedes the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.

Under the code, two workers, minimum, are now required for mobile concrete operations — where a mobile concrete operator must not carry out the work of a line hand and the line hand cannot monitor the concrete pump operations, including the concrete pump’s stability. Additionally, workers other than line hands or concreters must not be directly under the concrete placing boom during pumping operations due to serious safety risks if the boom has a “catastrophic failure”.

WHS Queensland said the updated code also provides stronger and clearer guidance on maintaining mobile concrete placing booms’ stability, managing the risk of concrete line blockages and working near overhead powerlines, as well as annual and six-yearly inspection requirements. Concrete pumps should also be inspected daily before starting concrete pumping work, weekly and monthly, WHS Queensland said.

The full code of practice, as well as a comparison table, can be found via WHS Queensland’s website.

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