Maintenance inspections

Inspections and preventative maintenance must be carried out on a regular basis to make sure that concrete pumps and booms are operating safely according to the manufacturer's recommendations and AS 2550.15 Cranes – Safe use – Concrete placing equipment.

Before starting work each day

• All concrete pumping/placing equipment is to be given a visual inspection and functional test - in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations, and AS 2550.15 Cranes – Safe use – Concrete placing equipment.
• Any repairs or replacements should only be carried out by trained and competent personnel in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Written records of maintenance and repair work performed on concrete pumping/placing equipment should be kept.

Routine maintenance inspections

The owner should establish:

• A program of weekly, monthly and quarterly preventative maintenance inspections of all equipment in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and AS 2550.15 Cranes – Safe use – Concrete placing equipment, which is based on the equipment's working environment and the severity of use of the equipment.
• Details of these inspections are to be kept in the appropriate log book, and a copy kept on the unit.

Annual inspections

All concrete placing booms, pumps and related equipment are to be inspected once a year by an assessor, to confirm that the equipment is suitable for continued service, in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, and AS 2550.15 Cranes – Safe use – Concrete placing equipment.

Assessment for service

All items of concrete placing equipment should undergo a major inspection to make sure the concrete placing equipment is in a safe working condition in accordance with AS 2550.15 Cranes – Safe use – Concrete placing equipment.

These inspections should include a strip down of all high stress areas, including the boom, slew ring and outriggers.

The inspection should be conducted by a registered professional engineer, whose area of competence includes the type of work being undertaken. All inspections should be noted in the appropriate log book.

All concrete placing equipment should be assessed for service and continued use when six years from the date of manufacture has elapsed and at each six year period thereafter.

For important information on maintenance responsibilities check sections 5.3 to 5.6 of the Concrete pumping Code of Practice 2019 (PDF, 1.04 MB).