Inspecting a boom pump King Post: A Practical Checklist for 2026
A mast can look serviceable from the ground and still warrant a closer look. When you’re inspecting a placing boom mast, it’s understandable to question whether a mark, worn connection or other visible change is routine or a reason to pause and escalate. A visual check is valuable, but it isn’t a substitute for a qualified assessment.
This checklist will help you make consistent observations, record what you find and recognise when specialist support is needed. We’ll cover visible mast concerns, useful inspection records and when to seek further assessment. Equipcon supplies mobile and stationary concrete pumps, concrete placing booms, pipeline accessories and spare parts, and provides professional repair services.
Table of Contents
Inspecting a Placing Boom Mast: What to Check Before Operation
A visual check can help identify changes that may need attention, but it can’t confirm the mast’s structural condition or replace a qualified assessment. Follow the applicable manufacturer’s manual and site procedures for inspection criteria. This concrete pump overview explains the basic equipment and boom pump arrangement, but the manual for the specific machine should guide your check.
From a safe, authorised position, look over accessible mast sections and connections. Note visible deformation, cracks, corrosion, damaged welds, or connections that appear loose or missing. Where previous records are available, compare your observations with them to identify changes. Don’t create your own pass or fail limits. Don’t climb, touch or adjust components unless you’re authorised and it’s safe to do so.
Which visible mast conditions should trigger further assessment?
Escalate unfamiliar or unexplained changes rather than trying to diagnose them by appearance. Pay particular attention to suspected cracks, bent or distorted sections, corrosion, damage around welds, and missing or displaced connections. A reported impact, unusual movement, or a condition that differs from earlier observations also warrants review, even if the cause isn’t clear.
Describe what you observed and where, without labelling it as a defect or deciding it’s safe to operate. If the mast has been struck or is moving unusually, follow site procedures to pause and report the concern for assessment. The visual check is a prompt for the right follow-up, not an engineering assessment, repair instruction or permission to resume operation.
How to Inspect and Record Placing Boom Mast Findings
For a proper King Post inspection, the King Post should be completely removed from the pedestal base. All work should be carried out by competent personnel with relevant experience in this procedure, following the applicable manufacturer’s manual, site procedures and, for Victorian work, the Concrete-pumping industry standard.
1. Prepare safely. Confirm the inspection scope, permitted access and removal procedure with the responsible person before work begins.
2. Remove the King Post. Completely remove the King Post from the pedestal base so the assembly can be properly inspected.
3. Complete the testing and component inspection. Certified NDT personnel should perform the testing. While the assembly is removed, inspect the bearing and rack as part of the King Post inspection.
4. Record and report the findings. Document the equipment, inspection date, personnel involved, testing completed and condition of the King Post, bearing and rack. All work must be carried out by competent personnel with relevant experience in this procedure.
What details belong in a mast inspection record?
Include the equipment identifier, date, inspector’s name and the location of each observation on the mast. Describe visible facts clearly, such as “surface corrosion on the left side of the lower section”, rather than assuming a cause or declaring the mast safe or defective. Add photographs only if they can be taken safely and site rules permit them.
For broader equipment context, see this guide to concrete placing booms. Keep inspection scope, access and return-to-service decisions aligned with the applicable manufacturer instructions, site procedures and qualified advice in Australia.
If a finding needs follow-up, Equipcon supplies concrete placing booms and provides repair services, as well as pipeline accessories and spare parts. The Equipcon website has information about its equipment and support.
8.1 Periodic inspections
Periodic inspections are part of the preventative maintenance program outlined in AS 2550.15:2019 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use, Part 15: Concrete placing equipment. They should be conducted in addition to other inspections such as pre-operational and routine inspections.
Periodic inspections of concrete-placing equipment should only be undertaken by competent person(s). The following factors need to be documented during the periodic inspection:
What components were looked at, including the critical components of the concrete-placing boom.
What was looked for, for example, wear, cracking and damage to components.
The rejection and acceptance criteria.
How the inspection was conducted, such as by non-destructive testing (NDT), measurement or visual inspection.
What was found, for example, the measured value or that no cracks were detected.
Recommendations regarding the inspected component.
Actions that are being taken in response to the recommendations.
Note: WorkSafe recommends taking photos to document the components inspected.
Inspecting critical components
Critical components such as outriggers, slew rings, king posts and hydraulic cylinders, including any structural welds, need to be inspected.
If a critical component cannot be adequately inspected or tested, for example by NDT, due to other components or sections of the plant partly or fully obstructing the critical component, the obstructing items need to be removed to facilitate adequate inspection or testing.
If the competent person determines that removal of the obstructing components to facilitate inspection is not required, the periodic inspection report needs to include identification of the components not inspected and the rationale for the decision.
The rationale should include, but is not limited to, the following:
The age of the concrete-placing boom.
Hours of use of the boom.
Design issues.
Absence of evident damage or condition that may indicate possible internal deterioration of the boom.
The periodic inspection report should also include information regarding when the uninspected components are next scheduled for inspection.
Note: Irrespective of the competent person’s determination and rationale, king posts, if fitted, need to be removed to facilitate NDT after 6 years of use, and subsequently either annually or after 250 hours of use, whichever occurs first.
To perform a proper King Post inspection, the King Post should be completely removed from the pedestal base and certified NDT personnel should perform NDT. While the pedestal is out, the bearing and rack can be inspected as well. The work should be carried out by competent persons with experience in carrying out the procedure.
If the competent person is not confident in stating that the concrete-placing boom is safe for continued operation without inspecting or testing certain components, the concrete-placing boom should not be used and needs to be withdrawn from service.
When to Escalate a Placing Boom Mast Concern
Pause and raise the concern through site procedures if you’re unsure about what you’ve seen, if the mast has sustained impact damage, or if there’s a significant change from its recorded condition. Don’t rely on a visual checklist to decide that a suspected issue is harmless. Keep the equipment out of operation as directed by site procedures while the concern is reviewed.
A checklist helps identify and communicate observations. It isn’t an engineering assessment, a repair instruction or authorisation to resume operation. Record the concern and any known impact history, then notify the responsible site representative promptly. Don’t attempt a repair or make adjustments unless you’re authorised and appropriately qualified.
Who should assess a concern before equipment returns to service?
The responsible site representative should coordinate the next steps and refer the concern to appropriately qualified service personnel. Any decision about return to service should follow the applicable manufacturer guidance, site procedures and qualified advice. Confirm the requirements that apply to the equipment and worksite in Australia rather than relying on guidance written for another country.
Equipcon supplies concrete placing booms, including high-rise models, and provides concrete pump repairs, spare parts and pipeline accessories. If an assessment identifies a need for replacement parts, its concrete pump spare parts guide may offer useful context. Parts selection should follow qualified advice and the equipment requirements.
For placing boom or concrete pump equipment support, visit Equipcon to learn about its products and services.
Keep Mast Checks Consistent and Safety-Focused
Use a consistent visual check to spot and record changes, not to certify a mast as safe. When inspecting a placing boom mast, follow the applicable manual and site procedures, note what you observe and escalate uncertainty, impact damage or a significant change. A clear record helps the responsible site representative and qualified service personnel decide what assessment is needed before any return to operation.
Equipcon supplies concrete placing booms, mobile and stationary concrete pumps, spare parts and pipeline accessories, and provides repair services. If an inspection raises an equipment question, seek qualified advice rather than relying on appearance alone.
For placing boom and concrete pump equipment, contact Equipcon to discuss your requirements. A consistent check and appropriate follow-up can help you communicate concerns clearly and support informed equipment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you inspect a placing boom mast before use?
When inspecting a placing boom mast before use, follow the site’s approved process and applicable manufacturer instructions. Check only areas you can access safely and are authorised to inspect. Look for visible changes such as damage, corrosion or loose components, then record observations clearly and report concerns. If you’re unsure, escalate for qualified review. A visual check doesn’t replace a competent technical assessment.
What should you look for when inspecting a placing boom mast?
Look over accessible mast sections for visible deformation, cracks, corrosion, damaged welds, or loose or missing connections. Note unusual movement and any known impact history, as these details may help qualified personnel assess the concern. Don’t guess at acceptable limits or attempt repairs based on appearance. Follow equipment instructions and site procedures to identify when further assessment is needed.
When should a placing boom mast be taken out of service?
Follow site procedures and the responsible person’s direction if the mast may need to be taken out of service. Don’t make a return-to-service decision from a visual checklist. If you see a significant change, suspected damage or a condition you can’t confidently assess, report it promptly and seek qualified advice. The responsible people should determine next steps using the applicable manufacturer instructions and site requirements.
Can an operator inspect a placing boom mast without a specialist?
An operator may carry out checks specified by their training, role and site procedures, but these checks don’t replace specialist assessment. Confirm the permitted scope with the responsible site representative and follow the applicable equipment instructions. If you notice a suspected defect, record and report it rather than attempting an unapproved repair or technical diagnosis. A qualified person can assess whether further action is needed.
Comments