Concrete Delivery Site Access: Safety Checklist for Builders 2026
A concrete truck needs at least 3\u202Fm of clear road width to access your site safely. For pump setups, maintain 600\u202Fmm clearance between two trucks. Never discharge within 0.9\u202Fm of power lines. A Hi-Vis spotter is required whenever the truck reverses.
Road & Access Requirements
Before you book a concrete delivery, confirm that a fully loaded agitator truck can reach your pour location without obstruction. Based on Boral Australian Concrete Guide (2023 Edition 2.1), Chapter 9, the minimum requirements are:
- Minimum road width: 3 metres clear of any building materials or debris
- Extra width is needed for turns — access roads with bends require significantly more room
- Consider the turning radius of a fully loaded agitator truck (~15 m wheelbase)
| Requirement | Minimum standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road width | 3.0 m clear | Clear of debris and materials |
| Road surface | Firm, compacted | No soft, boggy, or uneven ground |
| Gradient | Max 10% (1:10) | Steeper grades require special arrangements |
| Overhead clearance | 4.0 m | For agitator drum in raised position |
| Bridge load rating | Check with council | Agitator trucks = 30–40 tonne GVM |
| Turning radius | Allow 15 m | For 8 m3 agitator truck |
Before delivery day, walk the access route yourself. Concrete trucks cannot reverse long distances or turn in tight spaces. Problems on delivery day cost $200–400 in waiting charges.
Power Line Clearances
Overhead power lines are the most dangerous hazard for concrete trucks and concrete pump booms. The drum raised for discharge and pump boom arms extend far above ground level.
| Line voltage | Minimum approach distance | Common locations |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 33,000V | 0.9 m | Domestic street power lines |
| 33,000–132,000V | 3.0 m | Sub-transmission lines (suburban) |
| 132,000–330,000V | 6.0 m | Transmission lines |
| Above 330,000V | 8.0 m | High-voltage transmission |
No Go Zone Rules
- No vehicles driving under power lines
- No trucks discharging while parked under power lines
- No vehicles or personnel under lines connecting a domestic house to the mains
- For all other activities near lines: minimum separation distance increases to 3 metres
Source: WorkCover NSW / Boral Australian Concrete Guide (2023 Edition 2.1), Ch 9.
Open Trenches & Excavations
Any part of the truck must stay a minimum distance from open trenches. The rule from Boral Australian Concrete Guide, Chapter 9: trench depth + 1 metre.
- Trench 500 mm deep → truck must stay 1,500 mm (1.5 m) away
- Trench 1 m deep → truck must stay 2 m away
- Trench 1.5 m deep → truck must stay 2.5 m away
| Trench depth | Minimum truck clearance |
|---|---|
| 250 mm | 1,250 mm (1.25 m) |
| 500 mm | 1,500 mm (1.5 m) |
| 750 mm | 1,750 mm (1.75 m) |
| 1,000 mm | 2,000 mm (2.0 m) |
| 1,500 mm | 2,500 mm (2.5 m) |
If trenches are close to the pour area, schedule them to be filled and compacted before concrete delivery. Alternatively, use a concrete pump to reach over the trench.
Concrete Pump Setup
When a concrete pump is used, the pump truck and agitator trucks must position precisely. The CCAA Concrete Pump Delivery Industry Guidelines (2014), Page 15 specifies 600 mm as the minimum clearance between trucks and between any truck and a stationary object.
Pump Setup: Top-Down Schematic
Top-down schematic. Yellow hatched zones indicate stationary objects (barriers, walls, equipment). Trucks must maintain 600 mm clearance from each other and from all stationary objects.
Key Pump Area Requirements
- 1Reasonably level, solid and free of obstructions
- 2Clear of excavations, trenches or holes
- 3Clear of inadequately compacted or soft ground
- 4Clear of cellars, basements, pits or back-filled ground
- 5Emergency stop must be visible to driver and crew
Source: Boral Australian Concrete Guide (2023), Ch 9. CCAA Concrete Pump Delivery Industry Guidelines (2014), Page 15.
PPE Requirements for Pump Operations
Per Boral Australian Concrete Guide, Chapter 9, all pump operators must wear:
- Safety helmet
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Hi-Vis vest
- Work gloves
- Steel-capped boots
Never stand between a reversing truck and the pump or stationary objects. The primary chute on concrete trucks should only be moved when the truck is stationary.
Spotter Requirements
Per Boral Australian Concrete Guide, Chapter 9, a spotter must be provided by the customer whenever the truck reverses on site.
- Spotter must be wearing Hi-Vis clothing
- Spotter must be at a safe distance from the truck and visible to the driver at all times
- Drivers cannot be used as their own spotter
Traffic control (barriers, cones) is required when:
- Truck faces oncoming traffic while discharging
- Truck discharges on or near a main road or hazardous position
Spotter Checklist
Environmental Requirements
Concrete washdown water is an environmental hazard. From Boral Australian Concrete Guide, Chapter 9:
- Drivers cannot wash truck chutes onto the street (stormwater contamination)
- Customer must provide a skip or alternative for chute washdown waste
- If the truck drags contaminated material off-site, the driver has the right to refuse entry
- Customer must provide a wheel wash or pressure washer if the truck will carry mud off the site
Pre-Pour Site Checklist
Use this checklist the day before your concrete delivery. Walk the full route the truck will take from the street to the pour location.
Access
Power lines
Safety
Environmental
Source: Boral Australian Concrete Guide (2023 Edition 2.1), Chapter 9. WorkCover NSW Work Near Overhead Power Lines Code of Practice 2006. CCAA Concrete Pump Delivery Industry Guidelines (2014).
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide does a road need to be for a concrete truck?
Do I need a spotter for concrete delivery?
How close can a concrete truck get to power lines?
Can a concrete truck go over a trench?
Who is responsible for site access?
How close can a concrete pump boom get to power lines?
What happens if the concrete truck can't access my site?
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