Concrete Delivery Site Access: Safety Checklist for Builders 2026
A concrete truck needs at least 3 m of clear road width, firm ground, overhead clearance, a reversing spotter, and a safe discharge point. For pump work, confirm the pump setup area, 600 mm dual-feed access, washout, and power-line controls before the truck is dispatched.
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. SafeWork NSW separates ordinary work, accredited work with a safety observer, and vehicles travelling under lines with mobile plant stowed. If the voltage is unknown, stop and ask the network operator before positioning the truck or pump.
| Situation | SafeWork NSW distance examples | What it means for concrete delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary person or ordinary mobile plant work | 3.0 m up to and including 132 kV | The practical default for unaccredited site crews: keep people, tools, pump booms, and non-stowed plant outside the 3 m zone unless the network operator approves controls. |
| Vehicle passing under lines with plant stowed | 0.6 m for LV, 0.9 m above LV to 33 kV | Applies to transit envelope only. It does not make it safe to raise chutes, climb on trucks, or swing a pump boom near the same lines. |
| Accredited person with safety observer | 1.2 m above 1 kV to 33 kV; higher voltages require larger distances | Requires accreditation, written risk assessment, a safe system of work, and any network-operator conditions. |
| Inside the no-go zone | Written network-operator approval | Do not rely on site judgement. Reschedule or redesign the discharge method until formal controls are in place. |
No-go zone rules
- Identify the voltage, height, and sag of every line before the booking is confirmed.
- Keep pump booms, chutes, tools, and workers outside the relevant approach distance for the task.
- If the work must enter the no-go zone, obtain written approval from the network operator before work starts.
Source: SafeWork NSW Work Near Overhead Power Lines Code of Practice, approach-distance tables for ordinary persons, accredited persons, and vehicles.
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. CCAA pump delivery guidance expects the site plan to cover pump setup capability, 600 mm access on dual pump feeds, tyre wash, communication between pump operator and agitator drivers, reversing spotters, and discharge areas free of overhead hazards.
Pump setup: truck-to-pump access plan
Confirm before dispatch
- 1Level, firm pump pad with outriggers clear of trenches and soft edges
- 2Agitator approach path agreed before reversing starts
- 3600 mm minimum access allowance for dual pump feeds
- 4Spotter visible to driver and pump operator during reversing
- 5Washout and tyre-wash locations nominated before discharge
Source: CCAA Concrete Pump Delivery Industry Guidelines and Safe Work Australia concrete pumping guidance.
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.
Truck-to-pump handover
Confirm the pump operator, delivery driver, and spotter agree on the approach direction, radio or hand signals, hopper position, washout location, and what happens if the pump blocks or the truck cannot safely reverse. If the pump operator refuses the setup, concrete supply should stop until the hazard is fixed.
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
Sources: SafeWork NSW Work Near Overhead Power Lines Code of Practice; Safe Work Australia Guide to managing risk in construction: Concrete pumping; CCAA Concrete Pump Delivery Industry Guidelines.
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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