Product Overview

Summary: This Cold and Hot Weather Concreting Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for placing, finishing and curing concrete safely and effectively under extreme Australian weather conditions. It helps crews manage heat, cold, wind and rapid weather changes to protect workers, maintain structural integrity, and ensure compliance with WHS and Australian Standards on every pour.

Concrete behaviour changes dramatically in Australia’s climate extremes—rapid setting and dehydration in hot, dry conditions, and delayed strength gain, surface damage and increased slip risks in cold, wet or frosty conditions. This Cold and Hot Weather Concreting SOP provides a structured, WHS-focused approach to planning and carrying out concreting activities when ambient or substrate temperatures fall outside normal ranges. It covers pre-pour planning, weather monitoring, worker protection, mix adjustments, placement techniques, curing methods and contingency planning for sudden temperature shifts, storms or heatwaves.

By implementing this procedure, businesses reduce the risk of heat stress, cold exposure, slips, trips and falls, manual handling injuries and plant-related incidents that are more likely when crews rush to beat the weather. At the same time, the SOP helps protect the quality and durability of slabs, footpaths, foundations and structural elements by controlling setting times, shrinkage cracking, surface scaling and reduced strength. The result is safer sites, fewer defects, lower rework costs and a clear demonstration that the PCBU is actively managing both WHS and quality risks associated with concreting in Australia’s variable climate.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe planning and execution of concreting works during temperature extremes, protecting workers from heat stress and cold exposure.
• Reduce the likelihood of concrete defects such as cracking, dusting, delamination and inadequate strength due to poor hot or cold weather practices.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS duties and relevant Australian Standards for concrete work and environmental conditions.
• Standardise decision-making around weather thresholds, pour postponements, and protective measures across all projects.
• Minimise costly rework, delays and disputes by documenting a clear, defensible method for managing weather-related concreting risks.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Concrete Foremen
• Concrete Placers and Finishers
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Civil Engineers
• Builders and Principal Contractors
• Maintenance and Facilities Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress, dehydration and heat stroke during hot weather concreting
• Cold stress, hypothermia and reduced dexterity in cold, wet or windy conditions
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, icy, muddy or freshly poured concrete surfaces
• Musculoskeletal injuries from rushed manual handling and pushing wheelbarrows over soft or uneven ground
• Increased risk of plant and equipment incidents due to reduced visibility (glare, fog, rain) or poor ground conditions
• Chemical exposure from admixtures, curing compounds and surface treatments used more intensively in extreme weather
• Concrete blowouts, cracking and surface failure leading to unplanned demolition and rework activities
• Electrical hazards from using powered equipment, extension leads and vibrators in wet or stormy conditions
• Burns and skin irritation from contact with wet concrete when PPE is compromised by sweat, rain or prolonged wear

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Cold Weather, Hot Weather, Ambient and Concrete Temperatures)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Weather Monitoring and Pre-Planning Requirements
• 6.0 Risk Assessment for Cold and Hot Weather Concreting
• 7.0 Required PPE and Clothing for Extreme Weather Conditions
• 8.0 Pre-Pour Preparation (Subgrade, Formwork, Reinforcement and Access)
• 9.0 Cold Weather Concreting Controls (Mix Design, Heating, Protection and Curing)
• 10.0 Hot Weather Concreting Controls (Mix Design, Cooling, Shading and Curing)
• 11.0 Safe Use of Plant and Equipment in Adverse Weather
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Pouring and Finishing Procedure in Cold and Hot Conditions
• 13.0 Curing, Protection and Post-Pour Monitoring
• 14.0 Quality Control, Inspection and Defect Management
• 15.0 Worker Health Monitoring, Hydration and Break Management
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures (Heat Stress, Cold Exposure, Sudden Weather Change)
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Communication Requirements
• 18.0 Documentation, Records and Review of Concreting Activities

Legislation & References

• AS 1379: Specification and supply of concrete
• AS 3600: Concrete structures
• AS 1012 (series): Methods of testing concrete
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS regulations