Who's Responsible? Understanding Your Responsibilities Regarding the ASME B30.27 Safety Standard for Concrete Material Placing Systems

With the release of the ASME B30.27-2014 standard for material placement system safety, every person on the concrete placement job site now has very specific and defined responsibilities.  All pumpers, contractors and ready mix personnel are encouraged to attend this free seminar to learn how this standard will affect you and your business.

Sponsored by: Concrete Contractors Association (CCA)

What is the ASME?

ASME (founded as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers) promotes the art, science and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe.

Founded in 1880 and headquartered in New York, New York, ASME has over 130,000 members in 150 countries. There are 200 sections and 32 technical divisions which have developed 600 technical standards improving the safety and efficiency of boilers, elevators, cranes, nuclear energy, pipelines and many other areas, including concrete material placing systems. ASME standards are used in over 100 countries, and its members provide engineering and technical expertise to policy makers in Congress, the White House Office of Science and Technology policy, and key federal agencies.

Why was the B30 standard created?

As an overall mission statement, safety codes and standards are intended to enhance public safety. Specifically, the B30 standard is intended to prevent or minimize injury to workers, and otherwise provide for the protection of life, limb and property by prescribing safety requirements.

For the first time ever, the standard includes language that assigns responsibilities to everyone involved in a concrete placing pour.  The general contractor, the concrete contractor, the ready mix company and their drivers, the placing crew, and, of course, the pump owner and operator all have been given clear responsibilities in the effort to ensure a safe job.  Each of those parties has one year to come into compliance with the standard before it takes effect. It is KNOWN that the standard will be used by OSHA inspectors and plaintiff attorneys.  It would be safe to assume that cost of non-compliance will be OSHA fines and/or lost lawsuits in the event of a jobsite incident.  Knowledge of the standard is the first step towards compliance.  You can purchase a download or paper copy of the standard at this address:

https://www.asme.org/products/codes-standards/b3027-2014-material-placement-systems

When does the standard take effect?

March 26, 2015 will mark the one-year anniversary of the date of issuance, and is therefore the date the standard goes into effect.

Date:            Monday, September 29, 2014
Location:     Hilton Concord Hotel | 1970 Diamond Blvd | Concord, CA  94520 | 925-827-2000
Time:           9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Continental breakfast provided – 8:30 a.m.)
Cost:            FREE
Presenter:   Robert Edwards, NBIS*

*Any opinions expressed are those of the preparer and not necessarily those of ASME

For more information or to register, contact Mike Cusack at 510-715-6126 or pumping94520[at]yahoo[dot]com