Profession concrete pump operator

Concrete pump operators drive and operate trucks to haul concrete from the plant to project sites, and operate pumps to disperse concrete at the site. They also clean and maintain the truck and its mechanical parts.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Mechanical systems

  Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.

• Mechanics

  Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

• Types of concrete pumps

  The types of machines used to pump liquid concrete such as the boom concrete pumps used for large construction projects or line pumps generally used for small-scale works.

Skills

• Dismantle concrete pumps

  Dismantle all the assemblies of concrete pumps such as the pipe and the robotic arm, and prepare the mobile concrete pump for road traffic.

• Clean concrete pumps

  Remove residual concrete from the pipes and pumps after use and clean the equipment with water.

• Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition

  Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.

• Drive mobile heavy construction equipment

  Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.

• React to events in time-critical environments

  Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.

• Operate concrete pumps

  Operate the remote control of the robotic arm of a concrete pump while monitoring the pouring process.

• Prevent damage to utility infrastructure

  Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.

• Inspect construction sites

  Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

• Operate GPS systems

  Use GPS Systems.

• Install concrete pumps

  Position the truck or trailer at the desired location, adjust support legs for stability, attach the hoses to the outlet of the machine, if necessary, or install the robotic arm, and set up the pumps. In the case of electric pumps, connect them to the network. Take different factors into account such as the presence of a slope and the soil bearing capacity.

• Secure heavy construction equipment

  Secure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as retracting the robotic arm of concrete pumps or bringing the hook block back to the jib.

• Test soil load bearing capacity

  Test the capacity of the ground to support the load applied to it before installing heavy structures, such as tower cranes, or before driving on it with heavy vehicles.

• Work ergonomically

  Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

• Guide concrete hose

  Guide the concrete hose while the pump is operating. Make sure to distribute the concrete efficiently and securely.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB