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If you need to pour concrete as part of your industrial works and you are using a concrete pump to transport the liquid concrete from the mixer to the work site, it important that you understand the risk posed by hose whip. Hose whip occurs when the air becomes trapped with in the hosepipe. This air can become compressed to extremely high pressures as it travels down the hose. When this high-pressure air is released, it can result in the hose suddenly whipping around at great speed. Hose whip could leave your contractors with severe and even life threatening injuries. Below is a guide of the steps you can take to minimise the risk posed by hose whip in your concreting works.

Check the concrete mix

Before pumping begins, contractors should carefully check that the concrete mix is in a fluid state. If there is any sign that the concrete is starting to solidify, pumping operations should not commence until a new batch of concrete has been mixed. Partially solidified concrete increases the risk that a blockage will occur within the hose. A blockage will increase the chance that air will enter the hose system. If air enters the hose system behind the blockage, the concrete which follows behind the air pocket will compress it. As the blockage is cleared, the high-pressure air will cause the hose to whip.

Start pouring operations at a slow rate

When starting new concrete work, it can be tempting to want to get going as quickly as possible. However, when pouring concrete, it is best to pump the concrete at a low pressure and a slow rate. Doing so will allow the entire delivery pipe to be filled with concrete and for all of the air within the hose to be expelled at a low pressure. Once the pumping system is full of concrete, you can slowly increase the rate at which the concrete is pumped. If you start trying to pump concrete at a fast rate through a line which contains air, the hose will whip and place your workforce at risk.

Use the correct length of hose

When completing concreting work, it is important that you use a hose which is of the right length. If you attempt to stretch a smaller hose so you can pump concrete further, you increase the risk of the hose becoming damaged. If the hose becomes damaged during pumping operations, it is likely to spring back and whip around as the pressure suddenly drops.

If you would like to find out more about how to keep your contractors safe while completing concreting work, you should contact an industrial concreting service today.