On March 16, 2021, two workers on Gabriola Island died when the boom of a concrete pump truck fell and fatally injured them.
While an investigation is currently underway to identify the definitive causes of this incident, all employers can benefit from understanding the risks posed by concrete pumping and the importance of conducting appropriate, annual inspections of this equipment.
To build this understanding, WorkSafeBC is asking partners in the construction industry to share the following information through their networks.
Requirements for annual concrete pump inspections
Employers should be aware of recent amendments the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Regulation involving the use of concrete pump and placing booms on or after January 1, 2021.
The amended section 20.47 requires annual concrete pump inspections to confirm a comprehensive review of the structural, mechanical, and control system components of the pump and placing boom.
Annual inspections must include a detailed examination of all the machine’s critical components, and be done by qualified people in accordance with the manufacturer and CSA standard requirements. The inspection is only complete when all the critical components have been inspected and repaired (if required) and the machine is certified as “safe for use” by a professional engineer.
Insights from concrete pump suppliers
Employers, engineers and the people inspecting and maintaining your equipment should understand what to look for, but the following insights from provincial suppliers of concrete pumps may also be useful:
- Refer to the manufacturer’s (operator/maintenance) manual for the machine, which provides detail on the recommended inspection and maintenance requirements for that piece of equipment.
- Contact the machine supplier/manufacturer for inspection and maintenance “service bulletins” or specific instruction on how to inspect components that are not identified in the operator/maintenance manual.
- Slew ring/turret components are to be included in the machine’s annual inspection and maintenance criteria as specified by the manufacturer and the CSA Standard.
- Significant inspection and maintenance differences may exist between machine models and manufacturing years.
You may need to contact the supplier if information on the inspection and maintenance of specific components is not detailed in the operator/maintenance manual. The supplier may not have this information readily available, so be diligent in following up to ensure you receive the support you require.
For more information
Please contact WorkSafeBC if you have any questions about this information. You can also learn more about WorkSafeBC’s prevention activities for the Crane and Mobile Equipment Initiative on our website.