Product Overview

Summary: This Concrete Strike-Off and Leveling SOP sets out clear, step-by-step requirements for safely and consistently striking off and leveling concrete on Australian worksites. It helps your team deliver high-quality slabs while controlling key WHS risks such as musculoskeletal strain, slips, trips, and contact with wet concrete.

Concrete strike-off and leveling is a critical phase in slab and pavement construction, directly influencing structural performance, surface finish and long-term durability. At the same time, it exposes workers to a range of WHS risks, from repetitive manual handling and awkward postures through to slips on wet surfaces and chemical burns from cement-based products. This Safe Operating Procedure is designed specifically for Australian conditions and legislation, providing a clear, practical framework for carrying out strike-off and leveling tasks safely and efficiently on construction and civil worksites.

The document breaks the process into logical, easy-to-follow stages – pre-pour planning, equipment and PPE setup, safe strike-off techniques, mechanical screed operation, leveling and finishing, and housekeeping. It embeds WHS risk controls into each step so that quality and safety are managed together rather than as competing priorities. By implementing this SOP, businesses can standardise work methods across crews, reduce rework and defects, and demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS laws, all while protecting workers from preventable injuries and exposure to wet concrete and vibration.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent slab quality and surface tolerances by standardising strike-off and leveling methods across all crews.
• Reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries through defined manual handling techniques, task rotation and use of mechanical aids.
• Minimise worker exposure to wet concrete and cement-based products with clear PPE, hygiene and decontamination requirements.
• Support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant concrete construction standards through documented, repeatable processes.
• Streamline training and onboarding of new concreters and apprentices with a clear, step-by-step reference document.

Who is this for?

• Concrete Workers
• Formworkers
• Site Supervisors
• Leading Hands
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Advisors
• Civil and Structural Contractors
• Apprentice Concreters

Hazards Addressed

• Musculoskeletal strain from repetitive raking, screeding and leveling motions
• Back and shoulder injuries from manual handling of screeds, straightedges and vibrating equipment
• Contact dermatitis and chemical burns from wet concrete and cementitious materials
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, uneven or cluttered work areas
• Hand–arm vibration exposure from powered screeds and finishing tools
• Noise exposure from mechanical screeds and associated plant
• Eye injuries from splashes of wet concrete and airborne particles
• Struck-by incidents involving moving plant and equipment around pour areas
• Fatigue-related errors during extended pours or high-temperature conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Standards and Legislative Requirements
• 3.0 Definitions (Strike-Off, Screeding, Bull Floating, Leveling Tolerances)
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Supervisors, Concreters, Spotters, WHS Personnel)
• 5.0 Required Competencies and Training
• 6.0 Tools, Plant and Equipment (Manual and Mechanical Screeds, Levels, Vibrating Screeds)
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Start Planning and Site Preparation
• 9.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls Specific to Strike-Off and Leveling
• 10.0 Pre-Use Inspection of Tools, Plant and Access Equipment
• 11.0 Safe Work Method – Manual Strike-Off and Screeding Procedure
• 12.0 Safe Work Method – Mechanical Screed and Powered Equipment Procedure
• 13.0 Leveling, Surface Tolerance Checks and Quality Assurance
• 14.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Controls
• 15.0 Controls for Wet Concrete Exposure and Hygiene Practices
• 16.0 Housekeeping, Access and Egress During and After Pours
• 17.0 Environmental Considerations (Weather, Heat, Rain and Run-off Management)
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures (Exposure to Wet Concrete, Eye Contamination, Slips and Falls)
• 19.0 Communication, Supervision and Permit/Pre-Start Requirements
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Inspection Checklists and Review of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• AS 3600: Concrete structures
• AS 3610: Formwork for concrete
• AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding (for access and work platforms around slabs)
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing