CON/General/TBT-CON-008

Concrete Delivery and Discharge Safety

Concrete & Formwork › General › Concrete Delivery and Discharge Safety

All Categories/Concrete & Formwork/General/Concrete Delivery and Discharge Safety

Concrete Delivery and Discharge Safety

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-CON-008  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Concrete delivery involves heavy mixer trucks arriving, manoeuvring, and discharging wet concrete at the pour location.
  • A fully loaded concrete mixer truck weighs approximately 32 tonnes — a reversing truck strikes with unsurvivable force.
  • Banksmen must guide all concrete truck movements on site, particularly during reversing near the pour location.
  • Discharge chutes extend from the rear of the mixer and swing during positioning — workers must stand clear until secured.
  • Wet concrete is highly alkaline with a pH above 12 — it causes severe chemical burns to skin and eyes on contact.
  • Concrete mixer drums rotate continuously — entanglement with the drum, chutes, and moving parts causes serious injury.
  • Slump testing and cube sampling must be carried out safely — the sample area must be clear of truck movements.
  • Delivery scheduling prevents multiple trucks queuing on site, creating congestion that blocks access and emergency routes.
  • Wheel washing on departure prevents concrete and mud from contaminating public roads — a legal and safety requirement.
  • Communication between the truck driver, banksman, and the pour team must be maintained throughout every delivery.

Why?

Reversing crushA 32-tonne mixer truck reversing on site cannot be stopped by a human body — banksman guidance prevents fatal crush injuries.
Cement burnsWet concrete causes burns that develop slowly and may not be felt immediately — by the time pain begins, the damage is deep.
Chute swingDischarge chutes swing with considerable force during positioning — standing in the swing path causes impact injuries.
Do Don't
  • Use a banksman for all concrete truck movements on site, especially reversing.
  • Stand clear of discharge chutes until they are positioned and secured.
  • Wear waterproof gloves, boots, and eye protection when handling wet concrete.
  • Schedule deliveries to prevent queuing and congestion at the site entrance.
  • Carry out slump testing and cube sampling in an area clear of truck movements.
  • Keep clear of rotating mixer drums and all moving parts on the vehicle.
  • Wash concrete off skin immediately — do not wait for irritation to develop.
  • Ensure the truck uses the wheel wash before departing onto public roads.
  • Maintain communication between the driver, banksman, and pour team throughout.
  • Brief delivery drivers on the site traffic management plan at every visit.
  • DON'T allow concrete trucks to reverse on site without banksman guidance.
  • DON'T stand in the swing path of discharge chutes during positioning.
  • DON'T handle wet concrete without waterproof gloves, boots, and eye protection.
  • DON'T allow multiple trucks to queue uncontrolled at the site entrance.
  • DON'T take concrete samples in areas where trucks are manoeuvring nearby.
  • DON'T approach rotating mixer drums or moving parts on the delivery vehicle.
  • DON'T leave concrete on your skin — wash it off immediately before burns develop.
  • DON'T let trucks leave site without using the wheel wash facility.
  • DON'T start a delivery without communication between driver, banksman, and pour team.
  • DON'T let drivers proceed without a briefing on the traffic management plan.

See also: Concrete Pour Safety | Delivery Vehicle Management
ebrora.com

RAMS Builder

Generate professional Risk Assessment and Method Statements in minutes. 10 document formats, site-specific content, instant Word download.

Learn More