Product Overview

Summary: This Formwork Setup and Removal Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe, and compliant method for erecting, using and dismantling formwork on Australian construction sites. It helps your team control high-risk activities involving working at height, temporary structures and concrete pours, while demonstrating due diligence under WHS legislation.

Formwork activities are consistently identified as high-risk construction work under Australian WHS laws, involving heavy components, temporary structural loads, working at height and interaction with concrete pumping operations. Without a robust, standardised procedure, businesses face increased likelihood of collapses, falls, struck-by incidents and serious musculoskeletal injuries, along with potential prosecution for failing to manage foreseeable risks. This Formwork Setup and Removal Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach for planning, erecting, inspecting, using and dismantling formwork systems across commercial, residential and civil projects.

The SOP supports your site team from pre-start planning and engineering verification through to final strip-out and housekeeping. It clarifies roles and responsibilities between principal contractors, engineers and formwork contractors, and embeds hazard identification, risk controls and permit requirements into everyday site practice. By adopting this procedure, your business can standardise how crews work with proprietary and conventional formwork systems, improve communication with concrete and crane crews, and ensure that inspections, load limits, bracing requirements and removal sequences are consistently followed. The result is safer, more predictable formwork operations, fewer delays due to rework or incidents, and a clear demonstration of compliance with Australian WHS obligations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of formwork collapse, falls from height and struck-by incidents through a clear, controlled setup and removal sequence.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant formwork and concrete standards, supporting due diligence for PCBUs and officers.
• Standardise how formwork is planned, erected, inspected and dismantled across projects, improving consistency between crews and subcontractors.
• Streamline communication between site supervision, engineers, crane operators and concrete pumping crews, reducing delays and misunderstandings.
• Improve training and onboarding of new workers by providing a practical, step-by-step reference aligned with site-specific SWMS and risk assessments.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Formwork Contractors
• Leading Hands
• Carpenters and Formworkers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Principal Contractors
• Civil and Structural Engineers
• Safety Coordinators
• Labour Hire Providers supplying formwork crews

Hazards Addressed

• Collapse of formwork or falsework due to inadequate design, bracing or overloading
• Falls from height during setup, adjustment, pouring and stripping activities
• Being struck by falling formwork components, tools or materials
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying and positioning formwork panels, soldiers and props
• Pinch and crush injuries during assembly, propping, jacking and stripping operations
• Trips and slips on cluttered decks, reinforcing steel and concrete residues
• Exposure to concrete splashes, wet cement and associated skin and eye irritation
• Uncontrolled interaction with mobile plant, cranes and concrete pumps
• Structural instability when removing props or supports too early
• Noise and vibration exposure from power tools used in formwork erection and removal

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Principal Contractor, Engineer, Formwork Contractor, Workers)
• 4.0 Pre-Planning and Design Requirements
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 7.0 Pre-Start Risk Assessment and Permit Requirements
• 8.0 Formwork Delivery, Handling and Storage Controls
• 9.0 Formwork Setup Procedure (Erection and Bracing)
• 10.0 Access, Edge Protection and Working at Height Controls
• 11.0 Integration with Crane, Hoisting and Concrete Pumping Activities
• 12.0 Inspection, Verification and Sign-off Prior to Concrete Pour
• 13.0 Monitoring During Concrete Pour and Curing Period
• 14.0 Formwork Removal (Stripping) Procedure and Sequencing
• 15.0 Manual Handling and Mechanical Aids for Formwork Components
• 16.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 18.0 Environmental and Housekeeping Requirements
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and Retention (Checklists, Sign-offs, Permits)
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS 3610.1: Formwork for concrete – Documentation and surface finish
• AS 3610.2: Formwork for concrete – Design and construction
• AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding (for related access and working platforms)
• AS 2550.1: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – General requirements
• AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use