References:  R Record keeping requirement | E An engineering/certification requirement | P A permit to work requirement | S A safe work method statement (SWMS) / written plan

Definitions

Competent Person - A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out specific activities ie. Formwork Supervisor or Leading Hand.

Hazards

Potential hazards include, but are not limited to:

• Access
• Work at heights
• Falls / falling objects
• Collapse
• Penetrations.

Design

E Formwork systems must be designed and certified by a Qualified Person (engineer).

Formwork design must:

• Comply with the requirements specified in AS 3610 formwork for concrete.
• Be project-specific
• Be signed by a Qualified Person (engineer) or accompanied by a certification letter that lists the drawing and revision numbers
• Be detailed on up to date drawings/plans

E Design documentation must include but not be limited to the details of:

• All formwork systems to be used on site including conventional systems, stairs, vertical and integrated systems
• Proprietary fittings / systems / materials to be used
• Plans, elevations, sections, loadings/ load capacity, details for any component and arrangement of any components etc. and
• Details for tying, temporary support, propping (sizes, type, location, bracing, fixings and maximum extensions) and back propping.

E Any change to the formwork design or installed system must be certified by a Qualified Person (engineer).

R A risk workshop (NSW, QLD and WA) or peer review (VIC) should be conducted before commencement of formwork & concrete placement activities on the project. The risk workshop must be attended by MPX project and subcontractor management representatives. The risk workshop must be documented and include but not be limited to:

• Construction methodology/sequence of work
• Foundations for formwork components (frames props etc.)
• Interface with other construction work, other structures, proximity to project boundaries, public and traffic
• Working hours
• Weather conditions
• Materials and systems to be used
• Plant and equipment requirements (craneage, concrete placement, transport, vertical transport, lighting, power, water etc.)
• Cantilevered elements
• Intended loads
• Loading / unloading / placement and storage of plant, equipment and materials
• Reinforcement installation
• Concrete placement method
• Temporary and emergency access
• Edge protection
• Stripping and removal of components: and
• Emergency management provisions.

Planning

All formwork must be designed, manufactured, erected, disassembled / stripped & maintained in accordance with AS 3610 Formwork for concrete.

Prefabricated formwork systems must be constructed and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and/or Qualified Person (engineer) instructions.

Metal deck formwork systems must be In accordance with:

• Section: Structural Steel Decking and Other Composite Slab Systems

S SWMS’s are required for high risk work activities associated with formwork, reinforcement installation and concrete placement. SWMS’s must be submitted to MPX for review prior to the commencement of high risk work activities associated with formwork, reinforcement activities and concrete placement

Overhead works / Work at heights must be in managed in accordance with:

• Section: Cranes Hoists and Other Lifting Equipment
• Section: Overhead Works Coordination
• Section: Plant and Equipment.
• Section: Working at Heights

Operational

Materials

Materials must only be delivered to the project if authorised and scheduled in coordination with MPX.

Materials must be delivered to the project such that they can be safely unloaded by load shifting equipment (crane, forklift, telescopic handler).

Materials must be securely stored in consideration of adverse weather).

Materials must be removed from the project such they can be safely loaded by load shifting equipment (crane, forklift, telescopic handler).

Training and Competency

R All people involved with formwork, reinforcement installation and concrete placement must be inducted into the relevant SWMS,

Inspection

E A Qualified Person (engineer) must inspect the formwork and provide a written report, certificate of compliance or similar to MPX prior to the placement of concrete. The report / certificate must state that the formwork complies with AS 3610 and the formwork design.

R Horizontal formwork must be inspected in accordance with the Table 2.

R The formworker contractor must inspect the formwork prior to the placement loads.

R Formwork must be inspected by the form worker prior to commencing work after any significant weather event and the condition of the formwork must be reported to MPX.

A competent designated observer should continuously monitor the formwork assembly during concrete placing operations and be provided with an appropriate communication system to alert others in case an emergency arises.

Excavation

Excavation for any formwork must be in accordance with:

• Section: Excavation

Foundations

Frames / props must be based on firm ground, with sole boards / base plates or as specified by a Qualified Person (formwork engineer). The suitability of the ground must be verified by a Qualified Person (geotechnical engineer).

Where practicable, the foundations should be periodically inspected and after any significant weather event.

Pits / Tanks etc.

The construction of any pit, tank or similar formwork must be assessed for the potential risk associated with confined spaces or restricted access.

Where defined as a confined space the work must be carried out in accordance with:

• Section: Confined Space Entry.

Vertical elements

Access for the construction of vertical elements (columns, walls etc.) must be via scaffold, mobile elevated work platform or propriety work platform.

Vertical elements must be propped or otherwise supported in accordance with design documentation.

Tie rods, reinforcement bars or similar must be capped, laced or similar.

Where concrete blocks are used to support propping, the weight of the concrete block must be clearly marked.(kilograms or tonnes)

Suspended Formwork

Before access is provided, consultation between MPX, formworkers and other trades should be undertaken to provide a suitable hand over of completed elements of the formwork deck.

Access to formwork zones must be restricted to authorised persons only:

• Signage must be displayed ‘DANGER – formwork in progress authorised access only’ or similar.

Access under suspended formwork decks must be defined with signage and barricading.

Suitable access lighting must be provided where required.

NSW and VIC - At least one (1) access to each formwork deck should be via ladder access.

WA - At least one (1) access to each formwork deck must be via double width scaffold stair. Where other access is provided a single width scaffold stair or stairs is permitted. Single ladder access is not permitted unless authorised by MPX.

• Where single ladder access is permitted, use must be restricted for the purpose of installing edge protection and the infill of penetrations.
  

Suitable walkways must be provided on the formwork deck/beams especially were reo has been installed. Where a beam is two (2) or more metres deep, edge protection must be installed and access into the beam provided.

Intermediate Deck / Platform

Intermediate decks must be installed where a potential fall distance is greater than 2m. The platform must be in place with edge protection to prevent falls from height. 

False Decks

NSW and QLD - In situations where a deck is at a height that would require workers to stand at heights of 2m or more to install bearers and joists for the formwork deck, a continuous ‘false’ deck , which is a full deck the same area as the floor being formed, should be provided. Refer to the figure below.