MAS™ has defined a set of whistle blows (sounds) (short, long blows on a whistle) which were adopted from the train industry. MAS™ calls this the “Whistle Code” and it is very helpful for all workers to know this code. When volumetric mixers, pumps, skid steers, etc. are running it is often difficult to yell and be heard. Therefore the Whistle Code is used by all workers and supervisors who each carry small whistles on a lanyard ready for use at all times.
MAS™ “WHISTLE CODE”
| WHISTLE CODE | COMMAND | USE |
| One short | STOP | Stop concrete flow, or stop truck (apply brake), or stop fan, etc. |
| One long | GO | Start concrete flow, or start truck moving, or start fan, etc. |
| Two short | ROGER or “10-4” | A general answer signal or acknowledgement |
| Two Long | “GET READY” or “GETTING CLOSE” | Alerts operator to be prepared and to get their hands on controls or foot on the break in preparation for a STOP or GO command to follow shortly |
| Three short | “GOING WELL” | Used to signal that everything is going well and that all is OK. Regularly used during shotcrete application by foreman or nozzleman to let the crew know settings/flow is good and to keep going |
| Multiple short | “ATTENTION” | Used to alert someone or get their attention |
| Four short, one very long (Keep Repeating) | EMERGENCY | Something is wrong, everyone stop, assess the situation and try to help if safe. Used to signal a fire, or injury or catastrophic event such as generator or fan failure while spraying, etc. It is automatically a call for assistance for additional personnel. |
When visiting a construction site deploying the MAS™ system it is common to hear the workers signalling “three short beeps” on their whistles frequently. This is the “GOING WELL” Whistle Code and is used to signal “good job”, “all is fine”, “things are going great”, “keep up the good work”, etc. It is used as a form of motivation between workers to signal that everyone is doing a great job as a team and to keep things going as they are.
Foreman will often use the term “all threes” such as: “If you guys give me an hour of ALL THREES we can break for lunch early and take an extra 1/2 hour.”
MAR