The American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) announced the Coworker Safety Training program will launch in spring 2025.
Designed for contractors who work with and around concrete pumps, the program was developed in collaboration with the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) to fill gaps in safety training on job sites.
“Recognizing the significant hazards associated with hose handling and working around pumps, we partnered with ACPA to create a practical, impactful learning tool,” said ASCC Director of Safety Services Joe Whiteman.
Upon successful completion, trainees receive a certificate of completion that enables contractors to demonstrate compliance with the education component of ASME B30.27, the safety standard for material placement systems.
“ASME B30.27 outlines job site responsibilities for each trade working with and around concrete pumps,” said Christi Collins, ACPA’s Executive Director. “When employees and partners are trained to understand their roles under the standard, it not only makes job sites safer but also supports effective risk management and reduces liability.”
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Finishing crews and hose handlers are in some of the most dangerous positions around concrete pumps. Accidents and injuries can result from many factors, seen and unseen, such as a plug or separation of material in the pipeline.
“Many times, end users of concrete pumps come to job sites with limited knowledge of site conditions and no previous experience or training with a pump,” said Greg Key, National Safety Director for Western Concrete Pumping and Co-Chair of the joint ACPA/ASCC committee that helped develop the curriculum and training modules.
The Coworker Safety Training program consists of five online learning modules with videos and follow-up quizzes. Topics cover hose handling, setup, on-the-job procedures, delivery systems, and hazards. Participants can complete each module at their own pace, with the entire course taking roughly one hour. The program will be available via the ACPA University platform.
"By consolidating our resources into one platform and under one dashboard on ACPA University, we’ve streamlined training administration, making it easier for our members and other users to access training content and track certifications," Collins said.
| Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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| SITECH Allegheny |
| SITECH Northeast |
The Coworker Safety Training program ties into the broader goals of the We Are Safer Together campaign, an industrywide initiative that brings heightened awareness of ASME B30.27 – Material Placement Systems.
The campaign is spearheaded by ACPA and supported by ASCC, Concrete Foundations Association, Tilt-Up Concrete Association, Concrete Pump Manufacturers Association, World of Concrete, and several other coalition members. It is a call to action that urges collaboration across all trades to amplify the importance of complying with ASME B30.27 to enhance job site safety.
“We encourage all those working with and around a concrete pump to expand their knowledge of safe concrete pumping practices,” Collins said. “Through collaboration, training, and education, we can reduce accidents and protect our workforce.”
To learn more about the campaign and ASME B30.27, visit WeAreSaferTogether.org.
