Concrete Pouring and Finishing — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for concrete pouring, screeding and finishing operations on construction sites, including slab-on-ground, elevated slabs and footings poured by truck agitator or concrete pump.
Download this template
Concrete pouring and finishing is a routine but hazard-intensive construction activity that triggers HRCW obligations under multiple items in Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations. Where the pour involves an elevated slab or formwork at height, the risks of falls exceeding 2 metres and structural collapse of formwork bring the work firmly within the HRCW framework, requiring a SWMS to be prepared and implemented before work begins.
There are no specific trade licences required for concrete finishing itself, but the work involves interaction with registered plant (concrete pumps, agitator trucks) and must comply with the relevant Australian standards. AS 3600 (Concrete Structures) governs structural design, while AS 1379 (Specification and supply of concrete) sets requirements for the concrete mix. Where a concrete pump is involved, the Safe Work Australia guidance on concrete pumping and AS 2550.15 apply to the plant operator. All plant operators must be trained and competent, and the pump must be registered under WHS Regulations if required.
The primary health risk from concrete work is dermal exposure to wet cement, which is highly alkaline and causes chemical burns and cement dermatitis with prolonged skin contact. Nitrile or rubber gloves and waterproof knee pads are essential PPE for finishing crews. Inhalation of concrete dust during mixing, dry sweeping, or grinding creates RCS exposure and must be controlled using water suppression or local exhaust ventilation. Manual handling hazards are significant — concrete buckets and hand tools used repetitively in awkward postures are a leading cause of musculoskeletal injury.
To customise this template, document the pour volume and method (direct from agitator, pump, crane and kibble), the formwork and falsework details if applicable, the site access route for the concrete truck, the mix design including any admixtures, and the weather conditions and their impact on pour scheduling. Elevated slab pours require a separate formwork SWMS addressing propping, stripping, and reshoring requirements.
This SWMS applies across all Australian jurisdictions. Victorian users should cross-reference the OHS Regulations 2017 and any WorkSafe Victoria guidance on concrete construction.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Area in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant
Risk Assessment
1.Formwork and reinforcement inspection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formwork collapse under load of wet concrete | Catastrophic | Formwork designed and inspected by competent person before pour. Shoring checked. All tie bolts secured. Spreaders in place. No pour to commence until sign-off received from formwork inspector. | Low | Site Supervisor / Formwork Inspector |
| Reinforcement bar (rebar) impalement injury | High | Rebar caps on all vertical rebar. Plywood or timber covers over rebar mats where workers must walk. Designated safe access paths. No jumping over rebar. | Low | All Workers |
2.Concrete delivery and placement
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agitator truck or concrete pump entanglement or struck-by | Catastrophic | Spotter required to guide concrete trucks on site. Exclusion zone around operating pump. No workers to stand in truck reversing path. Hi-vis vest and hard hat mandatory. | Low | Spotter / Site Supervisor |
| Concrete pump hose whip injury | High | Secure all hose couplings before pumping. Stand clear of hose end when starting pump. All workers clear of hose before blockage is cleared. Operator trained in pump operation. | Low | Pump Operator |
3.Screeding, vibrating and finishing
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical burns from prolonged concrete contact | High | Waterproof gloves and boots mandatory. Change wet clothing immediately. Rinse skin exposed to concrete with clean water. First aid kit with eye wash station on site. | Low | All Workers |
| Musculoskeletal strain from sustained screeding posture | Moderate | Rotate workers on screeding tasks. Appropriate length tools to minimise bending. Pre-task stretching. Take breaks every 45 minutes. | Low | All Workers |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.