Product Overview

Summary: This Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) Use Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe and compliant method for specifying, handling, placing, finishing and curing SFRC on Australian worksites. It helps businesses control the unique safety, quality and structural risks associated with steel fibres in concrete, while supporting WHS and engineering obligations across civil, commercial and industrial projects.

Steel fibre reinforced concrete behaves differently from conventional concrete and, if not managed correctly, can introduce both safety hazards and structural performance issues. Loose steel fibres can cause lacerations, eye injuries, puncture hazards and tyre damage, while incorrect mix design, batching, placement or finishing can compromise slab performance, crack control and long‑term durability. This SOP provides a structured, end‑to‑end process for planning, procuring, handling and using SFRC so that both WHS and engineering requirements are systematically addressed on site.

Developed for Australian construction and civil environments, the procedure guides your team through pre‑pour planning, verification of mix designs, safe unloading and handling of fibre products, controlled addition of fibres to the mix, and safe placement, pumping and finishing techniques that minimise rebound and segregation. It also covers housekeeping, waste management of surplus fibres, and post‑pour inspection to manage residual hazards such as exposed fibres at slab edges. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, reduce the likelihood of injuries and defects, and create consistent, repeatable practices for SFRC across multiple projects and crews.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe handling, placement and finishing of steel fibre reinforced concrete in line with Australian WHS expectations.
• Reduce the risk of lacerations, eye injuries and puncture incidents from loose or exposed steel fibres on site.
• Improve structural performance and consistency of SFRC slabs by standardising mix verification, placement and curing practices.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with relevant Australian Standards, design specifications and project requirements.
• Streamline training and onboarding for supervisors and crews working with SFRC across multiple projects and contractors.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Concrete Foremen
• Project Engineers
• WHS Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Concrete Pump Operators
• Batch Plant Managers
• Formwork Supervisors
• Civil Engineers
• Quality Assurance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and puncture wounds from loose or protruding steel fibres
• Eye injuries from airborne or rebounding fibres during placement and finishing
• Slip, trip and puncture hazards from spilled fibres on access ways and work areas
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of fibre bags, concrete hoses and screeding equipment
• Exposure to cement dust and concrete splashes causing skin and eye irritation or burns
• Crush and pinch injuries associated with concrete trucks, pumps and agitators
• Structural defects such as uncontrolled cracking or inadequate fibre distribution leading to slab failure or remedial work
• Vehicle and plant tyre damage from stray steel fibres left on the ground
• Noise and vibration exposure from mechanical finishing and cutting tools
• Cuts and entanglement risks during cutting, drilling or sawing cured SFRC with exposed fibres

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Standards and Definitions
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Planning and Design Requirements for SFRC
• 5.0 Procurement, Delivery and Storage of Steel Fibres and SFRC
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls Specific to SFRC
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Safe Handling of Steel Fibres and Concrete Materials
• 9.0 Mixing and Addition of Steel Fibres to Concrete
• 10.0 Transport, Pumping and Placement of SFRC
• 11.0 Finishing, Jointing and Curing of SFRC Slabs
• 12.0 Management of Exposed Fibres and Surface Defects
• 13.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 14.0 Emergency Procedures and First Aid for SFRC Activities
• 15.0 Inspection, Testing, Verification and Quality Records
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Toolbox Talks
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• AS 3600: Concrete structures
• AS 1379: Specification and supply of concrete
• AS 3610: Formwork for concrete
• AS 1012 (series): Methods of testing concrete
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace (for cement-based products and admixtures)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces (for working around slabs and formwork edges)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace (for concrete pumps, agitators and finishing equipment)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS regulations