Concrete pump injury after hose connection failure

A concrete pump injury was caused when a clamp connection between a boom pump pipe and a flexible extension hose failed in a mine.

The extension pipe full or concrete dropped to the bottom of a mine shaft, injuring a worker handling the flexible hose in July 2013.

The potentially fatal incident occurred after a hired mobile concrete boom pump truck was used to pump concrete to the bottom of a 45m deep shaft and into a concrete re-mixer.

The concrete was required in the tunnel for the corrosion protection lining (CPL) works, reports Buildsafe SA.

Near the bottom of the shaft, the concrete delivery pipe was extended by about 10m using a flexible low pressure dewatering hose.

One of the workers suffered a fractured right leg when the extension hose filled with concrete fell on him. A second worker was also hit by the extension hose but was uninjured.

Both workers were standing on a scaffold platform that was damaged by the falling hose.

Loss incident causes

Causes of the concrete pump injury include an unsuitable flexible extension water hose, used for discharge of concrete, heavier and with more friction than water.

Corrective actions

A new work procedure for the operation of concrete pumps was prepared and implemented.
A new work procedure was developed to provide detailed methods for delivery of concrete for the differing tasks and site locations on the project.
The Plant Department was instructed to carry out a visual inspection of hired mobile concrete pumps prior to use on site.

Source; Buildsafe SA.