Concrete Mixer Truck Safety

Concrete mixer trucks deliver ready-mixed concrete to site and discharge through a rotating drum and chute system.
A fully loaded mixer truck weighs approximately 32 tonnes, creating serious ground loading and collision hazards.
Reversing mixer trucks have extensive blind spots — a banksman must guide all reversing movements on site.
Concrete chute extensions swing during discharge and can strike workers standing nearby.
Drivers climbing on and off the truck to adjust chutes are exposed to slip and fall hazards from wet concrete.
Washout water from the drum and chute is highly alkaline and must be collected in designated areas.
Delivery routes on site must be planned to avoid soft ground, overhead cables, and pedestrian zones.
Overloading site access roads with multiple mixer trucks queuing can damage the road surface.
Communication between the pour team and the driver is essential for safe discharge and movement.
Drivers must receive a site-specific briefing covering routes, discharge areas, and safety rules.

Pedestrian strikes	Mixer trucks reversing on site with poor rear visibility are a leading cause of fatal pedestrian collisions.
Concrete burns	Wet concrete is highly alkaline — skin contact during discharge causes chemical burns if not washed off.
Ground failure	A 32-tonne mixer truck on soft or poorly prepared ground can sink, overturn, or collapse surfaces.

Do

Don't

Brief every mixer driver on site routes, discharge points, and safety rules at the gate
Use a trained banksman to guide all reversing mixer truck movements on site
Plan delivery routes on firm ground avoiding soft areas, overhead cables, and pedestrians
Collect all washout water in a designated containment area — never discharge to drains
Wear gloves and eye protection when standing near the chute during concrete discharge
Keep pedestrians clear of the mixer truck during all movements and discharge operations
Ensure the discharge area has safe standing positions away from the swinging chute
Confirm ground conditions can support the fully loaded truck weight before it enters site
Maintain communication between the pour team and driver throughout the discharge
Allow the driver three-point contact when climbing on and off the truck to adjust chutes

DON'T allow mixer trucks to reverse on site without a banksman in attendance
DON'T stand in the blind spot behind or beside the truck during any movement
DON'T touch the concrete chute or drum without gloves — wet concrete causes burns
DON'T discharge washout water onto the ground or into surface water drains
DON'T route mixer trucks over soft ground, manholes, or underground voids
DON'T allow drivers on site without a gate briefing on routes and rules
DON'T let pedestrians walk beneath the extended chute during discharge operations
DON'T queue multiple trucks on site access roads without traffic management
DON'T climb on the mixer truck to look inside the drum while it is rotating
DON'T rush the driver to discharge faster — the pour team controls the pace

See also: Delivery Vehicle Management | Concrete Delivery and Discharge Safety

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