Lifting and handling the grout to fill spaces in wall cavities and/or reinforce masonry walls can strain the muscles or sprain the ligaments surrounding the spinal join in the lower back and cause low back pain.  A grout delivery system suspended by a forklift can eliminate the need to manually handle and carry grout to the job site.

Grout delivery systems, such as the Grout Hog, removes the need to lift heavy buckets of grout.  Since the hoppers of grout are handled mechanically, with either a forklift or a crane, there is no need to manually lift or carry heavy buckets of grout repeatedly.  High hand forces from holding a grout pump hose are also eliminated.

• Manufacturers, vendors, or worksites have reported a risk reduction.
• Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.

The Grout Hog is a delivery system that relieves the operator from lifting and supporting the weight of grout.  Bucket handling is eliminated since the grout is fed into the block by gravity from the hopper.  Reduced lifting reduces the risk for developing a musculoskeletal disorder of the back and shoulders.  High hand forces are also eliminated.  If grout pumps are used, masonry workers must exert high hand forces to hold and control the grout hose.  If a grout bucketing is used, masonry workers must grip the handles of heavy buckets of grout.  Use of grout delivery systems such as the Grout Hog allows the masonry worker to easily control the hose. 

Grout delivery systems such as the Grout Hog allow grouting to be done with only two masonry workers: one to operate the forklift or crane, and one to guide the hose to the block cell.  In contrast grout bucketing requires a bucket brigade of three or more masonry workers.  Also, since the Grout Hog hose is shorter than the hose of a grout pump,  it takes less time to clean the grout hog hose.  Multiple grout hogs may be used simultaneously to increase productivity.  Each grout hog requires its own forklift.

• Manufacturers or vendors have reported an increase in productivity.

Grouting has become an important task in many masonry projects.  Some contractors prefer to use a succession of five gallon buckets filled with grout.  This process is labor intensive and time consuming.  It requires several masonry workers to do the job and extra effort from each one of them.  The amount of time and energy spent while grouting will decrease their production in other tasks of the job for the rest of the day.  Grouting using a Grout Hog only requires two workers.

Blastcrete Equipment Company
For purchasing information visit http://www.blastcrete.com or contact 1-800-235-4867 or by e-mail

EZ Grout Corporation
For purchasing information visit http://www.ezgrout.com/ or contact 1-800-417-9272 or by e-mail

R-2 Mfg, Inc. Grout King
For purchasing information visit http://www.groutking.com/ or contact 1-800-851-0436 or by e-mail

There is a new product called self-consolidating grout (SCG) which has a flowable consistency due to the addition of polycarboxilates (chemical admixtures) to the composition.  SCG is reported to be better at filling spaces in the core and preventing the presence of voids, plus faster truck unloading, mix pumping and placement of group; these factors in turn can result in faster grouting of concrete masonry walls and improved labor efficiency.  It can be used with any kind of small-line pump.  SCG is delivery to the job site with a truck.

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC – Eastern Washington University, Lauren Gant, MS, and Alysha Meyers, PhD – University of Iowa