Cement Mixers on Site – Rams Considerations

Cement Mixers on Site – Rams Considerations

Although there is currently no legislation regarding the use of cement /concrete mixers on domestic landscaping projects, they will certainly fall under the remit of Health & Safety when it comes to writing out Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) in respect of the Construction (Design Management) Regulations 2015 as part of completing that document. As a CDM file is required for every project involving the use of machinery and equipment, it is an essential part of a contract. As a part of an exercise in producing RAMS for a project, it is not sufficient to simply state that a cement mixer will be used to produce mortar/concrete (as opposed to importing pre-mix products, which would require a separate assessment) without stating the type of machine to be employed.

Looking at three options in common use around landscape construction sites, it will likely be one of the following machines; (We have nominated Belle simply for the sake of this article) Belle Diesel with electric starter, 160 litre capacity, 1.6m in length x 1.6m high, weighing 344kgs; Belle Minimix Petrol Honda engine 150 litre capacity 90cm high x 1.2m long weighing 51kgs and a Belle Minimix 230v electric engine, 136 litre capacity weighing 55kgs.

The weight differential is the most important factor here, although all three will require a different set of ‘rules’ when it comes to assessing risks and health & safety. However, all three will require certain essential elements.

1. Afirm,levelbaseonwhichtostand.Thisshouldbestrongenough,andofsubstantialability to prevent any change in the strength of the ground during different weather conditions i.e. becoming softened through ground water.
2. All three require sufficient clear working area to allow the operative to work cleanly and without risk of tripping or unnatural movements through restricted space.
3. The heavier machine will require at least two operatives to move into position and around the site. They may also need assistance during loading and transporting, even when using a winch system. All three may require more than one person to set the machine into a working condition i.e. on its stand.
4. All safety guards must be checked, in place and secured. This check should be carried out daily and recorded as satisfactory, signed by the operative of the day.
5. It is essential that the machine operator’s manual is read and understood by the person using the machine. Formal training in the use – including potential hazards – of a concrete mixer is strongly recommended.

Both petrol and diesel machines will require fuelling and refuelling, requiring safe storage facilities on site, and careful working practices when carrying out the operation. Safety glasses and protective gloves will be required, together with a separate set of training guidelines (RAMS) known to the operative concerned. To confirm, fuelling and refuelling should be the subject of a separate set of RAMS.

The electric machine will require a current/valid electrical safety tag. The lead must be in good condition along with all connections (which should be checked daily and recorded as being satisfactory) and kept dry, off the ground whilst avoiding causing trip hazards, and connected through an RCD safety switch.

Cement mixers are the second most common cause of accidents on site after tripping, including fatalities.

Statistics show that there is a 50% higher incidence rate for non-fatal accidents amongst workers under the age of 25. This is likely to be due to the fact that the use of mixers is considered to be a menial labouring task, carried out by the younger members of staff. For this reason, it is so important to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are taken when using site machinery. Bearing in mind that mixers are, by nature, static machines, not being driven around the site, these accidents may be considered as unnecessary and avoidable with care and training.

1. Electrocutionorelectricshockscausedthroughdamagedcables,eitherpreviouslydamaged or by actions on site e.g. unknown splits in the cable when buried in muddy ground.
2. Placing a body part (or loose clothing) into the drum of the machine or near to the revolving spindles/shafts, thereby dragging the operative into the machine.
3. Mis-handling or careless handling of cement and other chemicals, causing damage to eyes or skin. Full PPE should be worn at all times, especially eye protection and gloves.
4. Machines toppling over during operations, caused by a) uneven or soft ground, b) overloading the drum or placing too much dry material to one side of the drum.
5. Equipment and items left in the drum overnight or when the drum is empty, without checking first they have been removed. Starting a machine with objects in the drum could cause a variety of accidents.
6. Leaving machines unattended, without due regard to their motion and potential to topple over.
7. Ensure proper ventilation (rarely a problem on a landscape site) to avoid a buildup of fumes when working with a petrol or diesel machine. Ear defenders may also be essential on some sites and with certain machines.

The purpose of this article is to point out the necessity to be very specific when producing risk assessments for the use of a cement mixer on a site. It is always preferable to think along the lines of producing a Method Statement – Why, When, How, What, Where and Who – when writing Risk Assessments for mixers, majoring on the Method Statement element of the exercise, as so much depends on the type and size of the machine.

Don’t forget – if required – to include the various aspects of transporting and delivering the machine into the site, and into position, especially when working with heavy versions on sloping sites (Although that is another set of RAMS altogether) if it is deemed relevant to a particular site.