Concrete Slab Construction — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the construction of ground slabs and elevated suspended slabs including preparation, reinforcement placement, concrete placement, and finishing operations.
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Concrete slab construction involves several distinct High Risk Construction Work activities depending on the slab type and configuration. Elevated suspended slabs require formwork and falsework, which is explicitly listed as HRCW under the model WHS Regulations, and the falls from height risk on elevated slab construction is ever-present. Ground slab construction may involve excavation exceeding 1.5 metres for footings, and concrete pump operations using a boom pump constitute HRCW involving the use of plant. A SWMS is mandatory for slab construction wherever any of these HRCW categories apply.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is the most significant long-term health hazard in concrete work. Concrete contains 15–30% silica by weight, and cutting, grinding, or scabbling concrete generates RCS dust at concentrations far above the 0.05 mg/m³ TWA exposure standard. While slab placement itself generates minimal RCS, saw cutting of slab joints, core drilling, and surface grinding all require wet methods or integrated dust extraction and P2 respiratory protection as a minimum. Skin contact with wet concrete causes alkali burns (pH 12+) with prolonged exposure; workers must wear waterproof gloves and, for finishers working directly on the wet slab surface, waterproof knee pads and boots.
Concrete pump operations — whether using a truck-mounted boom pump or a line pump — require specific safety controls. The boom must not swing over workers or adjacent property without exclusion zones in place. Hydraulic hose burst risk requires that workers are never positioned in front of delivery hose ends under pressure. Concrete truck and pump positioning must be planned to avoid overloading the slab edge or uncompacted fill areas.
For elevated suspended slabs, the formwork must not be stripped until the structural engineer confirms the concrete has achieved the required stripping strength, determined by test cylinder breaks or maturity monitoring. Premature stripping of suspended slab formwork has caused progressive collapses resulting in multiple fatalities in Australia.
Customise this template with the slab type (ground or suspended), the formwork design reference for suspended slabs, the concrete specification and compressive strength requirements, the pump configuration, and the fall prevention controls for elevated work.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work involving risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- •Formwork or falsework
Risk Assessment
1.Subgrade Preparation and Edge Form Setup
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave-in or collapse of excavated edge trenches | High | For edge beam excavations deeper than 1.5 m, engage a geotechnical engineer to assess soil conditions and specify batter angles or shoring requirements. Batter excavation at a minimum 1:1 (H:V) in non-cohesive soils or shore as per engineer's design. No worker may enter an unsupported trench deeper than 1.5 m. Inspect trench walls daily and after any rainfall event. Place excavated spoil a minimum of 1 m from the trench edge. | Low | Site Supervisor / Geotechnical Engineer |
2.Reinforcement Installation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puncture wounds from exposed bar ends and mesh protrusions | High | Fit plastic mushroom caps to all vertical and exposed rebar ends where workers are working at or above bar level. Workers wear heavy-duty cut-resistant gloves rated for steel handling. Stack mesh and bar in a designated laydown zone with protective end-caps on exposed cut ends. Workers to be briefed on foot placement when walking on mesh — step on bar intersections, not on mesh spans that can flex. | Low | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
| Manual handling injuries from carrying heavy mesh and bar bundles | Moderate | Use a crane, telehandler, or material boom to lift and place mesh sheets and bar bundles wherever possible. Manual carry limited to individual bars below 20 kg or mesh cut-outs below 25 kg with two-person lift. Workers use bar-carrying hooks or shoulder cradles for long bar sections to distribute load. Pre-plan material placement sequence to minimise the total distance materials must be manually carried on the reinforcement mat. | Low | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
3.Concrete Placement and Vibration
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin and eye burns from prolonged concrete contact (alkaline burns) | High | Workers in direct contact with wet concrete must wear impermeable rubber or PVC gloves, rubber boots (minimum ankle height), and waterproof trousers. Any concrete that contacts skin must be washed off within 5 minutes using clean water. Any concrete splash to eyes requires immediate flushing with clean water for 20 minutes and prompt medical assessment. Site supervisor checks PPE compliance before and during pour. Provide a dedicated wash station with running water within 30 metres of the pour area. | Low | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
| Hand-arm vibration injury from prolonged vibrator use | Moderate | Rotate vibrator operators every 20 minutes to limit individual daily exposure below 2.5 m/s² A(8) where practicable. Workers wear anti-vibration gloves rated to ISO 10819. Maintain vibrators in good working order — worn or damaged vibrator heads transmit higher vibration levels. Log vibrator usage time per operator and review exposure records monthly. | Low | Concrete Foreman / Workers |
4.Concrete Finishing
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck by rotating power trowel blades | High | Only experienced operators may use walk-behind or ride-on power trowels. Establish a minimum 2-metre exclusion zone around operating power trowels — no other workers within this zone. Operator must wear steel-capped boots and long trousers. Never attempt to clear a blockage or adjust blades while the engine is running. Switch off, engage blade brake, and wait for all blades to stop before accessing the trowel. | Low | Power Trowel Operator / Site Supervisor |
5.Curing and Protection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip hazard from curing compound overspray on adjacent surfaces | Moderate | Apply curing compound with a low-pressure spray fan nozzle directing spray only onto the slab surface. Cover or mask any adjacent walkways or access paths before spraying. Post 'WET — SLIP HAZARD' signs on all surrounding areas until compound is dry and confirmed non-slip by physical test. Inspect surrounds after spraying and clean up any overspray on access paths before workers re-enter the area. | Low | Applicator / Site Supervisor |
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.