Draft Code of Practice

FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD......................................................................................................................3 SCOPE AND APPLICATION............................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................4

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1." 1.% What is formwork and falsework?.....................................................................................4 Who has health and safety duties relating to formwork and falsework activities?..............5 What is involved in managing risks associated with formwork and falsework?..................6 Training information instruction and su!ervision............................................................." #dentifying the ha$ards......................................................................................................% &ssessing the risks...........................................................................................................% 'ontrolling the risks ..........................................................................................................% (eviewing the risk control measures ................................................................................)

MANAGING RISKS WITH FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK........................................8

PLANNING FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK ACTIVITY............................................10

1.) 'onstruction !ro*ect and !rinci!al contractor..................................................................1+ 1.1+ ,afe work method statements ......................................................................................11 1.11 -esigners...................................................................................................................... 11 1.12 .ormwork and falsework design....................................................................................14 1.13 &d*acent /uildings or structures....................................................................................1" 1.14 .alls.............................................................................................................................. 1" 1.15 ,ecuring the work area.................................................................................................1% 1.16 0mergency !lan............................................................................................................ 1%

FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK METHODS AND SYSTEMS...................................19

1.1" Traditional and modular formwork systems...................................................................1) 1.1% ,li! forms and *um! forms............................................................................................2+ 1.1) Travelling formwork.......................................................................................................21

FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK ACTIVITY................................................................23

1.2+ 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 .oundations and footings..............................................................................................23 0rection of formwork and falsework..............................................................................23 'onstructing formwork..................................................................................................23 'rane and load handling...............................................................................................3+ #ns!ection and monitoring.............................................................................................32 ,tri!!ing formwork........................................................................................................32 -ismantling falsework...................................................................................................34

SPECIAL FORMWORK CONTROL MEASURES..........................................................35

1.2" Wall and column forms..................................................................................................35 1.2% ,li! *um! and travelling forms......................................................................................36

APPENDI A ! DEFINITIONS........................................................................................41 APPENDI " # TECHNICAL STANDARDS ..................................................................43

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FOREWORD
This 'ode of 1ractice for managing risks associated with formwork and falsework activity is an a!!roved code of !ractice under section 2"4 of the Work Health and Safety Act 4the W5, &ct6. &n a!!roved code of !ractice is a !ractical guide to achieving the standards of health safety and welfare re7uired under the W5, &ct and the Work 5ealth and ,afety (egulations 4the W5, (egulations6. & code of !ractice a!!lies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances descri/ed in the code. #n most cases following an a!!roved code of !ractice would achieve com!liance with the health and safety duties in the W5, &ct in relation to the su/*ect matter of the code. 8ike regulations codes of !ractice deal with !articular issues and do not cover all ha$ards or risks which may arise. The health and safety duties re7uire duty holders to consider all risks associated with work not only those for which regulations and codes of !ractice e9ist. 'odes of !ractice are admissi/le in court !roceedings under the W5, &ct and (egulations. 'ourts may regard a code of !ractice as evidence of what is known a/out a ha$ard risk or control and may rely on the code in determining what is reasona/ly !ractica/le in the circumstances to which the code relates. 'om!liance with the W5, &ct and (egulations may /e achieved /y following another method such as a technical or an industry standard if it !rovides an e7uivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than the code. &n ins!ector may refer to an a!!roved code of !ractice when issuing an im!rovement or !rohi/ition notice. This 'ode of 1ractice has /een develo!ed /y ,afe Work &ustralia as a model code of !ractice under the 'ouncil of &ustralian 2overnments: Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for ado!tion /y the 'ommonwealth state and territory governments. & draft of this 'ode of 1ractice was released for !u/lic consultation on 2 &!ril 2+12 and was endorsed /y the ,elect 'ouncil on Work!lace (elations on ;to /e com!leted<.

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This 'ode !rovides !ractical guidance to !ersons conducting a /usiness or undertaking on how to com!ly with their health and safety duties when carrying out construction work that involves formwork and falsework activity including high risk construction work. This 'ode should /e read in con*unction with the Code of Practice Con!truction Work which !rovides further guidance for !ersons conducting a /usiness or undertaking that involves construction work. How to use this code of practice #n !roviding guidance the word =should: is used in this 'ode to indicate a recommended course of action while =may: is used to indicate an o!tional course of action. This 'ode also includes various references to sections of the W5, &ct and to (egulations which set out the legal re7uirements. These references are not e9haustive. The words =must: =re7uires: or =mandatory: indicate that a legal re7uirement e9ists and must /e com!lied with.

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INTRODUCTION 1.1 What i for!"or# a$d fa% e"or#&

.ormwork and falsework are tem!orary structures that are /uilt to su!!ort !arts or the whole of a !ermanent structure until it is self>su!!orting. #ndividual com!onents of formwork and falsework such as scaffolding are !lant. 3nce assem/led the com!onents form the tem!orary structure. ,ome formwork and falsework systems are designed to remain with the !ermanent structure. 2enerally any work undertaken to design construct erect alter maintain dismantle or remove formwork or falsework will /e defined as construction work. Formwork means the surface su!!ort and framing used to define the sha!e of concrete until it is self>su!!orting. .ormwork includes the forms on or within which the concrete is !oured the su!!orts which carry the forms and the concrete the /racing which may /e added to ensure sta/ility as well as the foundations and footings. When com!lete the formwork is sometimes referred to as the formwork assem/ly. The formwork su!!orts /racing foundations and footings are sometimes known as falsework. Falsework means any tem!orary structure that is used to su!!ort a !ermanent structure material !lant e7ui!ment and !ersonnel until the construction of the !ermanent structure has advanced to the stage that it is self>su!!orting. & tem!orary structural su!!ort system referred to as falsework includes the foundations footings and all structural mem/ers su!!orting the !ermanent structural elements. .alsework is commonly used to su!!ort s!anning or arched structures such as /ridges while they are /eing constructed. The tem!orary su!!ort structures for formwork 4see a/ove6 used to mould concrete to form a desired sha!e and the scaffolding that might also give workers access to the structure /eing constructed is sometimes referred to as falsework. What is construction work? R. '()* 'onstruction work is defined as any work carried out in connection with the construction alteration conversion fitting>out commissioning renovation re!air maintenance refur/ishment demolition decommissioning or dismantling of a structure. 'onstruction work includes? any installation and testing carried out in connection with an activity referred to in the a/ove definition the removal from the work!lace of any !roduct or waste resulting from demolition the !refa/rication or testing of elements at a !lace s!ecifically esta/lished for the construction work for use in construction work the assem/ly of !refa/ricated elements to form a structure or the disassem/ly of !refa/ricated elements forming !art of a structure the installation testing or maintenance of an essential service in relation to any structure

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any work connected with an e9cavation any work connected with any !re!aratory work or site !re!aration 4including landsca!ing as !art of site !re!aration6 carried out in connection with an activity referred to in the a/ove definition and an activity referred to in the a/ove definition that is carried out on under or near water including work on /uoys and o/structions to navigation.

.ormwork and falsework activity may include construction work that is defined as =high risk construction work: in the W5, (egulations for which a safe work method statement 4,W@,6 must /e !re!ared /efore the work starts. .urther guidance on what is construction work and ,W@, is availa/le in the Code of Practice Con!truction Work. 3ther key terms used in this 'ode are defined in Appendi" A.

1.' Who ha hea%th a$d afet+ d,tie re%ati$- to for!"or# a$d fa% e"or# acti.itie &
& /er o$ co$d,cti$- a 0, i$e or ,$derta#i$- has the !rimary duty under the W5, &ct to ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that workers and other !ersons at the work!lace are not e9!osed to health and safety risks arising from the /usiness or undertaking. The W5, (egulations include s!ecific o/ligations for a !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking to manage the risks associated with construction work. There are also duties to manage the risks associated with !lant. .or clarity the !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking who carries out formwork and falsework activities is referred to in this 'ode as the =formworkAfalsework contractor:. & /ri$ci/a% co$tractor for a construction !ro*ect 4that is where the cost of the construction work is B25+ +++ or more6 has additional duties under the W5, (egulations including to? take all reasona/le ste!s to o/tain from each !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking that is to carry out high risk construction work a co!y of the ,W@, relating to that work /efore the high risk construction work commences !re!are a written W5, management !lan for the work!lace /efore work on the construction !ro*ect commences. De i-$er of structures must ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that the structure is without risks to health and safety when used for a !ur!ose for which it was designed. -esigners must give the !erson who commissioned the design a written safety re!ort 4see section 3.2 of this 'ode6. 1re>fa/ricated formwork re7uires design registration under the !lant regulations. Ma$,fact,rer 1 i!/orter a$d ,//%ier must ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that !lant and structures they manufacture im!ort or su!!ly is without risks to the health and safety. I$ ta%%er must ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that the way the !lant or structure is installed is without risks to the health and safety of !ersons who install use decommission or dismantle the !lant or structure and others who are at or in the vicinity of the work!lace.

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Officer such as com!any directors have a duty to e9ercise due diligence to ensure that the /usiness or undertaking com!lies with the W5, &ct and (egulations. This includes taking reasona/le ste!s to ensure that the /usiness or undertaking has and uses a!!ro!riate resources and !rocesses to eliminate or minimise risks that arise from the construction work. Wor#er have a duty to take reasona/le care for their own health and safety and that they do not adversely affect the health and safety of other !ersons. Workers must com!ly with any reasona/le instruction and coo!erate with any reasona/le !olicy or !rocedure relating to health and safety at the work!lace.

1.2 What i i$.o%.ed i$ !a$a-i$- ri # a fa% e"or#&

ociated "ith for!"or# a$d

0ffectively controlling health and safety risks involves following a systematic !rocess known as risk management consisting of the following ste!s set out in this 'ode? identify ha$ards if necessary assess the risks associated with the ha$ards im!lement and maintain risk control measures and review the effectiveness of control measures. The W5, (egulations contain duties to manage risks relating to s!ecific ha$ards including ha$ardous manual tasks noise falls confined s!aces construction work ha$ardous chemicals as/estos and lead. 2uidance on the general risk management !rocess is availa/le in the Code of Practice Ho# to $anage Work Health and Safety Ri!k!% Consulting your workers S. 34* The !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must consult so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le with workers who carry out work for you who are 4or are likely to /e6 directly affected /y a work health and safety matter. S. 3(* #f the workers are re!resented /y a health and safety re!resentative the consultation must involve that re!resentative. 'onsultation with workers and their health and safety re!resentatives is re7uired at every ste! of the risk management !rocess. #n many cases decisions a/out construction work and !ro*ects are made !rior to engaging workers therefore it may not /e !ossi/le to consult with workers in these early stages. 5owever it is im!ortant to consult with them as the formworkAfalsework !rogresses. Consulting, cooperating and coordinating activities with other duty holders S. 35* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must consult coo!erate and coordinate activities with all other !ersons who have a work health or safety duty in relation to the same matter so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le. & construction work!lace will often /e shared /y various !ersons conducting a /usiness or undertaking such as civil engineers contractors and mo/ile !lant o!erators. 1ersons with overla!!ing duties should e9change information a/out the risks associated with the formwork and falsework activity including any traffic and !lant movements near the formworkAfalsework

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area. They should work together in a coo!erative and coordinated way so that all risks are eliminated or minimised so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le. .urther guidance on consultation is availa/le in the Code of Practice Work Health and Safety Con!ultation& Cooperation and Coordination%

1.3 Trai$i$-1 i$for!atio$1 i$ tr,ctio$ a$d ,/er.i io$

S. 1)* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must !rovide any information instruction training and su!ervision necessary to !rotect all !ersons from risks to their health and safety arising from the work carried out. R. 2)* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must ensure that information training and instruction !rovided to a worker is suita/le and ade7uate having regard to? the nature of the work carried out /y the worker the nature of the risks associated with the work at the time of the information training and instruction and the control measures im!lemented. The training !rovided must /e readily understanda/le /y any !erson to whom it is !rovided. R. 214* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must not direct or allow a worker to carry out construction work unless the worker has successfully com!leted general construction induction training. Training s!ecific to the formwork and falsework activity and to the site should also /e !rovided to workers /y a com!etent !erson. & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must also ensure that workers o!erating certain ty!es of !lant at the work!lace !ossess a valid licence to o!erate that !lant 4for e9am!le cranes6. & com!etent !erson should su!ervise the formworkAfalsework activity. Workers in a su!ervisory role 4for e9am!le leading hand or foreman6 should /e e9!erienced and trained in formwork and falsework and authorised to ensure the work is carried out in accordance with ,W@,. .urther information on general construction induction training and other training is availa/le in the Code of Practice Con!truction Work%

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MANA6IN6 RISKS WIT7 FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK 1.8 Ide$tif+i$- the ha9ard
,ome e9am!les of formwork and falsework ha$ards include? formwork or falsework colla!se 4/efore during and after !lacement of concrete or the structural mem/ers to /e su!!orted6 !eo!le falling from height falling o/*ects sli!s and tri!s noise dust manual tasks.

1.5 A

i$- the ri #

When assessing risks involved with formwork and falsework you should consider things such as? the ty!e of form or falsework elements to /e used the height of the formwork andAor falsework to /e erected the si$e of the formwork deck or any decks included in the falsework the location of intermediate working decks the scheduling of the work the layout of the work!lace including whether there are fall ha$ards /oth for !eo!le and o/*ects the num/er of !eo!le involved what !lant and e7ui!ment will /e used and the skill and e9!erience re7uired to use it safely what e9!osures might occur such as noise or ultra>violet 4CD6 radiation local weather conditions !articularly wind forces. #t should then /e !ossi/le to select the most suita/le work methods and arrangements to eliminate or minimise risks for e9am!le? items of !lant and e7ui!ment E large structures may re7uire scaffolding or mo/ile !lant to work on sus!ended floors minimise the working heights for !ersons erecting and dismantling the formwork andAor falsework safe tem!orary work !latforms where work at height is re7uired !lant and material !lacement and storage so as to minimise manual handling.

1.4 Co$tro%%i$- the ri #

The ways of controlling risks are ranked from the highest level of !rotection and relia/ility to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of control mea!ure!. The duty holder must always aim to eliminate a ha$ard first. #f this is not reasona/ly !ractica/le the risk must /e minimised /y using one or more of the following? Su'!titution E for e9am!le use a ty!e of formwork that can /e !reassem/led on the ground and then lifted into !osition /y a crane E this reduces the need to work at height

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and therefore the risk of !eo!le or o/*ects falling. Csing a crane to lift formwork or falsework com!onents instead of manual lifting minimises the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. I!olation E use concrete /arriers to se!arate !edestrians and !owered mo/ile !lant to reduce the risk of collision. (ngineering E install fall !revention devices such as guard rails toe/oards and edge !rotection to minimise the risk of a !erson or o/*ect falling from height.

#f risk remains it must /e minimised /y im!lementing administrative controls so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le for e9am!le install warning signs near the formwork and falsework activity. &ny remaining risk must /e minimised with suita/le !ersonal !rotective e7ui!ment 41106 such as !roviding workers with hard hats hearing !rotectors and high visi/ility vests. &dministrative control measures and 110 rely on human /ehaviour and su!ervision and used on their own tend to /e least effective in minimising risks. Co!0i$atio$ of co$tro% !ea ,re #n many cases a com/ination of control measures will !rovide the /est solution. .or e9am!le !rotect workers from falls using fall !rotection devices such as guard rails 4engineering6 and other workers from falling o/*ects /y esta/lishing an e9clusion $one for the work area 4isolation6 and !roviding hard hats 41106.

1.( Re.ie"i$- the ri # co$tro% !ea ,re

The control measures that are im!lemented to !rotect the health and safety must /e regularly reviewed to ensure they are effective and that no new ha$ards have /een introduced /y the control measures. 'ommon review methods include work!lace ins!ection consultation testing and analysing records and data. When reviewing control measures a ,W@, must also /e reviewed and revised where necessary.

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PLANNIN6 FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK ACTI:IT;

.ormwork and falsework activity should /e carefully !lanned /efore work starts so it can /e carried out safely. 1lanning involves identifying the ha$ards assessing the risks and determining a!!ro!riate control measures in consultation with all relevant !ersons involved in the work including the !rinci!al contractor formworkAfalsework contractor designers and mo/ile !lant o!erators. 'onsultation should include discussions on the? nature andAor condition of the ground andAor working environment weather conditions nature of the work and other activities that may affect health and safety interaction with other trades site access ,W@, management of mo/ile !lant and surrounding vehicular traffic ty!e of e7ui!ment used for formwork and falsework !u/lic safety !rovision of ade7uate amenities !rocedures to deal with emergencies.

1.) Co$ tr,ctio$ /ro<ect a$d /ri$ci/a% co$tractor

Where the value of construction work is B25+ +++ or more it /ecomes a =construction !ro*ect: re7uiring a !rinci!al contractor. There can only /e one !rinci!al contractor for a construction !ro*ect and this will /e either the !erson commissioning the construction work or a !erson a!!ointed as the !rinci!al contractor /y the !erson commissioning the construction work. The !rinci!al contractor has a range of duties in relation to a construction !ro*ect including? !re!aring and reviewing a W5, management !lan o/taining ,W@, /efore any high risk construction work commences !utting in !lace arrangements to manage the work environment including falls facilities first aid an emergency !lan and traffic management installing signs showing the !rinci!al contactor:s name contact details and location of any site office securing the construction work!lace. &lthough unlikely it is !ossi/le that the formworkAfalsework contractor will /e the !rinci!al contractor. This might occur for e9am!le where there is significant formwork and falsework activity re7uired and it forms the /ulk of the construction work. #n this case the formworkAfalsework contractor as the !rinci!al contractor must com!ly with all !rinci!al contractor duties.

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.urther guidance on W5, management !lans can /e found in the Code of Practice Con!truction Work%

1.1= Safe "or# !ethod tate!e$t

& safe work method statement 4,W@,6 must /e !re!ared for any high risk construction work /efore the work starts. & range of activities defined as high risk construction work may /e undertaken as !art of formwork and falsework including work that? involves a risk of a !erson falling more than 2 metres involves structural alterations or re!airs that re7uire tem!orary su!!ort to !revent colla!se is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services is carried out at a work!lace in which there is any movement of !owered mo/ile !lant. The ,W@, must? identify the ty!e of high risk construction work /eing done s!ecify the health and safety ha$ards and risks arising from that work descri/e how the risks will /e controlled descri/e how the control measures will /e im!lemented monitored and reviewed /e develo!ed in consultation with workers and their re!resentatives who are carrying out the high risk construction work. .urther guidance on ,W@, and an e9am!le ,W@, tem!late is availa/le in the Code of Practice Con!truction Work%

1.11 De i-$er
S. ''* -esigners have a duty to ensure so far is reasona/ly !ractica/le that the structure is designed to /e without risks to the health and safety of !ersons in relation to the manufacture assem/ly construction or use of the structure or the !ro!er demolition or dis!osal of the structure. & designer of formwork or falsework is res!onsi/le for the !lanning and design of the com!lete structure. This includes the design of the formwork su!!ort structure the formwork deck4s6 and connection details. There are two design activities relating to formwork andAor falsework /eing the design of? the items of !lant and the structure formed from the items of !lant. #n relation to the manufacture assem/ly construction use and !ro!er dismantlingAdis!osal of !lant or a structure designers have a duty under the W5, &ct to? carry out or arrange the carrying out of any calculations analysis testing or e9amination that may /e necessary for the structure to /e without risks to the safety of !ersons and !rovide ade7uate information to each !erson who is !rovided with the design to give effect to it concerning any conditions necessary to ensure that the structure is without risks to health and safety.

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& formwork and falsework designer must /e a com!etent !erson such as a !erson who holds a tertiary 7ualification in a relevant engineering disci!line. Safety report R. ')8* The designer of a structure or any !art of a structure that is to /e constructed must give the !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking who commissioned the design a written re!ort that s!ecifies the ha$ards associated with the design of the structure that so far as the designer is reasona/ly aware? create a risk to the health or safety of !ersons who are to carry out construction work on the structure or !artF and are associated only with the !articular design and not with other designs of the same ty!e of structure. The information re7uirements under the W5, &ct may /e incor!orated into the safety re!ort !re!ared under the W5, (egulations. The safety re!ort may include !ro!rietary documentation that sets out the safe use of a com!onent or com!onent system formwork or falsework methods and health and safety risk control measures will /e used. & !erson commissioning the construction work 4the client6 must consult so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le with the designer of the whole or any !art of the structure a/out eliminating and controlling risks. #f the client did not commission the design of the construction !ro*ect they must take all reasona/le ste!s to o/tain the designer:s safety re!ort. Where there is a !rinci!al contractor the client must give a co!y of the designer:s safety re!ort to the !rinci!al contractor. .urther guidance on the safe design of /uildings and structures can /e found in the Code of Practice Safe )e!ign of Structure!% Plant design S. ''* -esigners have a duty to ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that !lant is designed to /e without risks to the health and safety of !ersons who carry out any reasona/ly foreseea/le activity at a work!lace in relation to the manufacture assem/ly or use of the !lant for a !ur!ose for which it was designed or the !ro!er storage decommissioning dismantling or dis!osal of the !lant. -esigner:s duties also a!!ly to a !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking who modifies the design during manufacture or modifies e9isting !lant so that new measures for controlling risk are re7uired. &n im!orter of !refa/ricated formwork who is una/le to source the necessary information from the original designer assumes the designers: res!onsi/ility to demonstrate that the !lant satisfies the relevant health and safety re7uirements. This can /e achieved /y having a com!etent !erson develo! the information for the su!!lier. .urther information on the safe design !rinci!les and registration of !lant is availa/le in the Code of Practice Safe )e!ign& $anufacture& Import and Supply of Plant% Plant design registration

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&ll items of !lant that re7uire design registration under ,chedule 5 41art 16 of the W5, (egulations including !refa/ricated scaffolding and formwork must /e registered /efore use. The design registration num/er must /e ke!t in the vicinity of the !lant. #f you are hiring !refa/ricated formwork the su!!lier must !rovide the design registration num/er usually on the su!!ly docket or agreement. This will need to /e ke!t at the work!lace. .urther information on the registration and safe design !rinci!les of !lant can /e found in the Code of Practice Plant )e!ign& $anufacture& Import and Supply% Structure design &nything that is constructed to su!!ort a load can /e referred to as a structure including formwork andAor falsework. &s noted a/ove the term designer includes anyone who modifies the design. .or e9am!le if the ca!acity of formwork is to /e increased /y adding additional com!onents a designer will need to com!lete additional calculations to ensure the modified structure is ca!a/le of su!!orting the additional load. The !erson designing the addition has designer duties and if they are not the original designer they should consult the original designer to ensure the new configuration does not com!romise the e9isting design s!ecifications or safety factors. The design of a concrete structure can have a ma*or effect on the ease of formwork construction and conse7uently on the health and safety of !ersons during construction. 2enerally the more /asic and sim!le the final concrete structure the safer it is to construct erect and dismantle the formwork. &n e9!erienced formwork designer should /e consulted during the design of any concrete structure to !rovide in!ut on ways to minimise health and safety risks arising from formwork activities. ,ome of the design measures that could /e considered to minimise e9!osure to risk of in*ury during the construction of formwork include? (educing variations in the floor de!th that is construct a floor so that it has one consistent de!th. -ecks that are a consistent de!th are easier to erect than varia/le de!th floors and reduce the risk of in*ury. -ee!er /eams introduce =dro! downs: into the floor creating tri! and fall ha$ards and re7uiring more work to construct and stri! after !ouring. Where /eam forms are essential lightweight tem!orary access across the /eam recess must /e !rovided to !revent in*ury to workers from ste!!ing into the form during construction. (educing the num/er of columns re7uired and where columns do e9ist eliminate ca!itals and dro!downs. Ctilise !recast columns and /eams. This can reduce the risks associated with fi9ing reinforcement erecting and stri!!ing column formwork and !ouring concrete on site. Work activities carried out in a factory environment are generally lower risk. (educing cantilevered floor sections. 1lanning for manual tasks. 'onsideration should /e given to the suita/ility of the design of different formwork systems that will reduce manual handling risks including? o ta/le forms o systems with lighter weights of materials to /e handled o methods of formwork erection alteration and dismantling

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o o

im!roved access and egress for workers and movement of materials and e7ui!ment methods for moving large and heavy com!onents materials and e7ui!ment 4that is making allowances for a crane and other mechanical lifting devices to /e used6.

,imilarly where falsework is re7uired to su!!ort a com!le9 structure during construction such as a stone arch /ridge the falsework designer should /e involved in the structural design to minimise the falsework com!le9ity and minimise risk during its construction and dismantling. The design !rocess may /e sim!le or com!le9 de!ending on the si$e and com!le9ity of the structure involved. 5owever formwork and falsework must /e designed /y a com!etent !erson for e9am!le a civil engineer e9!erienced in structural design to ensure that it is ca!a/le of carrying the loads that will /e a!!lied to it.

1.1' For!"or# a$d fa% e"or# de i-$

.ormwork and falsework designers should consider the work !ractices necessary to carry out the erection and dismantling of the formworkAfalsework as designed and identify health and safety risks and controls at the design stage. -esign matters to /e considered include? the !ossi/ility of using designs that do not re7uire in>situ formwork such as tilt>u! or !recast concrete elements that may /e constructed elsewhere and lifted into !osition the method and se7uence of erecting and dismantling the formworkAfalsework and its su!!orts and the related risks !articularly relating to manual handling the !rovision of safe access to and egress from the work areas on and around the formworkAfalsework minimising the working heights for !ersons erecting and dismantling formworkAfalsework that guard rail systems 4including toe/oards6 !erimeter safety screens scaffolding or other means are a/le to /e installed when working at heights that fall arrest systems including safety lines are a/le to /e installed if re7uired advice and information 4such as drawings sco!e of work instructions and /ills of 7uantity6 !rovided to the formworkAfalsework contractor and the !rinci!al contractor regarding the use of multi!le level frames or high strutting where additional safety !recautions may /e re7uired that slo!ing surfaces on formwork are sli! ha$ards and a!!ro!riate risk control measures are identified if included in the design reducing variations in the floor de!th that is construct a floor so that it has one consistent de!th > decks that are a consistent de!th are easier to erect than varia/le de!th floors and reduce the risk of in*ury and dee!er /eams introduce =dro! downs: into the deck reducing the num/er of columns re7uired > where columns e9ist design the columns so ca!itals or dro!downs do not e9ist reducing cantilevered floor sections. Technical standards .ormwork and falsework should /e designed in accordance with acce!ta/le engineering !rinci!les and relevant technical standards such as AS *+,- .orm#ork for concrete. 0ngineering !rinci!les would include for e9am!le mathematical or scientific !rocedures outlined in an engineering reference manual or standard.

1&20 14 3. 43

& list of some relevant !u/lished technical standards is !rovided in Appendi" /. Formwork design .ormwork should /e rigid watertight /raced and tied together so as to maintain !osition and sha!e during all construction activities. #t should /e constructed in such a way that it can /e removed easily and safely without damaging the formed concrete. Where formwork is to /e re> used the formwork design should ensure that form strength is retained after allowing for the deterioration of materials through use and handling. .ormwork drawings should include all details of formwork formwork *oints sealing !rocedures ties si$e and s!acing of framing and details of any !ro!rietary fittings or systems !ro!osed to /e used. -etails of the construction and erection se7uence should /e included on the drawings. Where s!ecial re7uirements such as e9ternal vi/ration are involved the formwork design should include any additional structural loads to /e a!!lied. Falsework design .alsework can /e used to su!!ort a range of !ermanent structures !rior to their com!letion including formwork for wet concrete as well as ma*or !recast concrete elements or steel sections for e9am!le for /ridges 4see .igure 16. 3ff>the>shelf su!!ort systems are not generally suited to su!!ort com!le9 arrangements unless used as !art of a s!ecifically designed solution and documented /y the design engineer.

Fi-,re 1* .alsework su!!orting !recast concrete /ridge s!an 4source (T& G,W6

.alsework must /e designed to carry all loads that may /e a!!lied including? -ead 8oad > includes the mass of falsework structural elements to /e su!!orted formwork wet concrete and concrete reinforcement and any other em/edded material.

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,u!erim!osed 8oad > includes the mass of workmen !lant e7ui!ment and runways stacked material and an im!act allowance e7ual to 25 !er cent of the all u! weight of any mechanically o!erated !lant. Wind 8oad E the loads acting on the e9!osed area of falsework formwork and any o/*ect su!!orted /y the falsework or formwork. 5ori$ontal 8oading > includes wind loading hori$ontal surge loading for any mechanically o!erated !lant and any loading occurring during construction. 3ther 8oads > includes any s!ecial conditions likely to occur during construction including the redistri/ution of load due to the effects of !restressing or early a!!lication of !restress construction stages and staged removal of falsework. The falsework design should also allow for where re7uired the effects of water flow traffic im!act flooding and any other a!!lica/le conditions.

.urther information on load calculations can /e found in? AS *+,- .orm#ork for concrete AS ,,0- 1Part! , and 23 Structural de!ign action! - Permanent& impo!ed and other action! and Structural de!ign action! - Wind action!.

Fi-,re '? .alsework under erection 4sourced from Worksite ,ite ,afety C!date Go. )) ,e!tem/er 2+1+6

.alsework should not /e designed to /e su!!orted or /raced from com!leted !ermanent structural elements unless it can /e demonstrated that such tem!orary loading will not affect the structural integrity of the relevant !ermanent element or the sta/ility and integrity of the overall falsework system.

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&de7uate /racing should /e !rovided longitudinally and transversely to ensure that the falsework is sta/le and that significant hori$ontal movements resulting from the a!!lied loads are limited. & site>s!ecific geotechnical investigation should /e carried out /y a com!etent !erson in addition to any geotechnical investigation re7uired for the design of the !ermanent structure. This will ena/le the designer to esta/lish whether the e9isting ground conditions are suita/le for the design and construction of the falsework system. The foundations and footings of the falsework should /e designed to !revent e9cessive settlement and rotation of su!!orts and to maintain overall structural integrity of the falsework and the !ermanent structure or formwork /eing constructed. Where the foundation material can /ecome saturated with water the !ossi/ility of reduced /earing ca!acity that could result in reduced sta/ility and increased settlement or heave of the foundation needs to /e considered.
4Gote? The use of tim/er footing !ads is not recommended and tim/er should not /e used if there is any !ossi/ility of the !ads /eing under water for even a short !eriod. #f tim/er footings are used they should /e checked for the a/ility of the tim/er to withstand the a!!lied crushing and other stresses. The erection engineer should check and certify that the tim/er used is of the ty!e and grade s!ecified in the design.6

The design drawings should include all design assum!tions and a statement of the loads and any dimensional changes e9!ected due to loading in all mem/ers of the falsework. The drawings should detail all mem/er si$es and materials dimensions levels erection !rocedures and other relevant details including /racing connections and foundations to ensure that erection and ins!ection of the falsework can /e undertaken safely. The design should also include details of methods to !rovide safe access to all working $ones of tem!orary and !ermanent structures. #f changes are made to a construction !rocedure the a!!ro!riate drawing or other document should /e u!dated and show all revisions clearly. 1rovisional u!dating /y marking u! or !re!aring a hand drawn detail and signing and dating the mark>u! or new detail should /e countersigned /y the designer and where a!!lica/le the design verifier.

1.12 Ad<ace$t 0,i%di$- or tr,ct,re

Where the formworkAfalsework activity is likely to reduce the security or sta/ility of any !art of any ad*acent structure the work must not commence or continue unless ade7uate ste!s are taken to control the risk to any !erson from the? colla!se of the formworkAfalsework or the !ermanent structure it su!!orts onto the ad*acent /uilding or structure colla!se of the ad*acent /uilding or structure or a !art of the /uilding or structure.

1.13 Fa%%
R. 4(* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must manage the risk of a fall from one level to another that is reasona/ly likely to cause in*ury to the !erson or another !erson. &ny construction work including formwork and falsework that involves a risk of a !erson falling more than 2 metres is defined /y the W5, (egulations as high risk construction work and a ,W@, must /e !re!ared /efore this work commences.

1&20 1" 3. 43

.urther guidance on managing the risks associated with falls and the safe use of ladders is availa/le in the Code of Practice $anaging the Ri!k of .all! at Workplace!%

1.18 Sec,ri$- the "or# area

R.')( & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking where construction work is carried out must ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that the work!lace is secured from unauthorised access 4including inadvertent entry6. #n securing the work!lace you must consider? risks to health and safety arising from unauthorised access to the work area and the likelihood of unauthorised access occurring. This re7uirement aims to !rotect other workers in the work!lace who may /e at risk /y restricting access to the formworkAfalsework area. The !erson with management or control of the construction work!lace must also ensure so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le that the work!lace is secured from unauthorised access from mem/ers of the !u/lic for e9am!le when the site is near schools !arks sho!s or other !u/lic !laces.

1.15 E!er-e$c+ /%a$

Re-,%atio$ 32* & !erson conducting a /usiness or undertaking must ensure that an emergency !lan is !re!ared for the work!lace that !rovides !rocedures to res!ond effectively in an emergency. To ensure a coordinated a!!roach to res!onding in an emergency the formworkAfalsework contractor should consult with the !rinci!al contractor to ensure any une9!ected incidents such as formwork colla!se or !eo!le falling from height are included in the /roader emergency !lan for the construction site !re!ared /y the !rinci!al contractor.

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FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK MET7ODS AND S;STEMS

The nature of the formwork and falsework activity /eing undertaken will affect the selection of a formwork method and a safe system of work. There are a range of formwork and falsework systems and methods that may /e used. 5owever no matter what system or method is selected the formwork and falsework to /e erected and all its com!onents must /e maintained in a safe and sta/le condition so as to !revent the une9!ected colla!se of all or !art the structure. .urther information on formwork methods can /e found in AS *+,- .orm#ork for concrete.

1.14 Traditio$a% a$d !od,%ar for!"or# + te!

Traditional formwork systems were ty!ically constructed on>site from tim/er or !lywood and su!!orting elements such as scaffolding.

Fi-,re 2 > Traditional formwork assem/ly with cantilevered working !latform at /uilding !erimeter

#n addition to traditional systems modular systems are also availa/le that are s!ecially designed and manufactured off>site. These systems usually have !ro!rietary formwork com!onents and rated load calculations set out /y the manufacturer and are often made from hard/oard !lastics steel and aluminium !roducts. @ost formwork systems use two or more materials 4for e9am!le !lywood facing to steel frames for wall !anels6. #n choosing a formwork system for a !articular *o/ the safety of workers erecting using and dismantling the system must /e considered in !articular sta/ility strength and the risk of falls 4/oth falling !eo!le and falling o/*ects6.

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When using a traditional system a standard formwork frame that has a known tested loading ca!acity should /e used wherever !ossi/le and ensure that they are s!aced at no more than the recommended distances a!art. Wherever !ractical it is !refera/le to use a !ro!rietary formwork system as this usually results in im!roved safety for workers erecting and dismantling the formwork and handling and storing materials. The /est !ro!rietary systems availa/le have integrated safety features that hel! to control the risk of falls and in*ury during manual tasks. Where a modular system is used in com/ination with a traditional system formwork drawings should /e certified as com!lying with a!!lica/le &ustralian ,tandards. ,imilarly com!onents from another system should not /e used as an integral !art of the modular framework system unless the designer of the modular system states that this is !ermitted. &ll variations to a design of a /asic or non>/asic system should /e checked and verified in writing /y a designer or engineer as /eing acce!ta/le. @odular formwork systems are often lighter weight and re7uire less !hysical effort than traditional systems /ecause they are often constructed from aluminium instead of steel and they eliminate the need for tasks such as re!etitive hammering. This reduces the risk of in*ury resulting from undertaking manual tasks. 5owever /ecause of their lighter weight modular systems may /e more susce!ti/le to falling over during the erection of the system due to factors such as wind loading. This will generally only /e an issue !rior to !lacement of the deck on the modular system. To effectively control this issue the formwork system should /e !rogressively /raced in accordance with the su!!liers instructions during its erection.

1.1( S%i/ for! a$d <,!/ for!

,li! forms and *um! forms are the terms given to self>clim/ing formwork systems s!ecifically intended to construct concrete walls and columns in high rise /uildings and other concrete structures such as chimneys. ,li! forms and *um! forms usually consist of a num/er of decks and may also /e fitted with trailing screens that are sus!ended from the form. &s with !erimeter screens trailing screens may !rovide edge !rotection for !ersons !revent materials from fallingF !rovide su!!ort for work !latforms or a com/ination of these uses. Go two sli! forms or *um! forms will /e identical /ecause their design de!ends on the si$e and configuration of the /uilding under construction. #n sli! forms the clim/ing is usually carried out continuously during the concrete !our.

1&20 2+ 3. 43

Fi-,re 3 > ,li! form chimney construction 4sourced from htt!?AAwww.keyword!icture.comAkeywordAsli!formA6

With *um! forms the clim/ing is done in ste!s following the concrete !our. The term Hclim/ formI is also used to descri/e a sli! form or *um! form. The !ower for the clim/ing o!eration can /e !rovided in a variety of ways /ut usually /y means of hydraulic rams or electric motors connected to clim/ing feet or screw shafts.

Fi-,re 8 > Jum! form construction 4sourced from htt!?AAwww.cityu.edu.hkA'#D'&8A/ookAmiscKadvanced.htm6

1.1) Tra.e%%i$- for!"or#

Travelling formwork moves hori$ontally allowing the re!eated construction of structural elements such as in>situ concrete /ridge s!ans. The formwork is generally su!!orted /y the

1&20 21 3. 43

!ermanent structure as it is !rogressively com!leted and therefore has the advantage that no falsework is re7uired over the length of the /ridge. Travelling forms are useful where there is limited ca!acity to construct falsework such as over rivers and o!erating roads or railways.

Fi-,re 5 > Travelling formwork for /ridge construction 4sourced from htt!?AAwww.inside>lane.comA2++)A11A+3A!ue/los>2">">million>fourth>street>/ridge>!ro*ect> hits>halfway>!ointA6

1&20 22 3. 43

FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK ACTI:IT;

The erection and dismantling of formwork and falsework must occur systematically and /e tied in !rogressively to sta/ili$e the structure and can /e critical to ensure the health and safety of workers and the general !u/lic. ,ystems of work and control measures should /e selected /ased on individual *o/ factors the work environment and other factors identified /y the risk assessment !rocess outlined in 'ha!ter 2 of this 'ode.

1.'= Fo,$datio$ a$d footi$.ormwork and falsework must /e erected on a sta/le /ase to !revent the risk of colla!se. ,us!ended sla/s must /e verified as a/le to safely su!!ort loads that may /e a!!lied /y the concrete !our workers and crane lifted loads. Lase !lates should /e !rovided under !ro!s and standards on formwork and falsework frames unless the !ro! or standard has an integral foot or a com!etent !erson documents that a /ase !late is unnecessary. ,ole /oards designed to suit the ground conditions should also /e used under !ro!s and standards on natural ground unless a com!etent !erson documents otherwise. .rames and !ro!s must /e located on a firm /ase which is ground that will not su/side fail or get washed away. rainage &de7uate drainage for stormwater should /e !rovided to !revent scouring of formwork and falsework foundations and footings. Where foundations are located on /atters these need to /e !rotected against scour /y directing drainage away from the /ase of frames.

1.'1 Erectio$ of for!"or# a$d fa% e"or#

The erection and dismantling of formwork and falsework should /e !erformed /y com!etent !ersons. &ll !refa/ricated formwork and falsework should /e erected and used in accordance with the manufacturer:s instructions. Where relevant the erection of formwork and falsework must com!ly with the re7uirements for the erection of scaffolding including the use of a!!ro!riately licensed scaffolders. & licensed scaffolder is re7uired where a !erson or o/*ect can fall more than 4 metres. Trainee scaffolders are !ermitted to !erform scaffold work !rovided the trainee is ade7uately su!ervised /y a licensed !erson. .ormwork like scaffolding must /e erected systematically and tied in !rogressively to sta/ili$e the structure.

1.'' Co$ tr,cti$- for!"or#

!recting formwork frames .ormwork frames must /e erected in a !rogressive manner to ensure /oth the installers safety and the sta/ility of the overall structure. Lraces must /e attached to the frames as soon as !ractical. &s the erection of frames continues designated access ways should /e indicated /y the use of /unting or /y other means

1&20 23 3. 43

The risk of a fall can e9ist on edges of formwork frames during their erection. #n this situation it is necessary to install edge !rotection on the frames as they are erected. 1rovided the side /racing 4or other edge !rotection6 is installed !rogressively and as soon as enough material has /een raised u! additional control measures to !revent a fall occurring do not have to /e !rovided. @any conventional formwork frames consist of diagonal /races that cross in the middle. While these /races are not considered to /e suita/le edge !rotection for a com!leted formwork deck they may !rovide reasona/le fall !rotection during frame erection. This is only the case where /races are installed in a !rogressive manner as soon as the /races are handed u! to a !erson. &s the height of formwork frames increase there is a greater need to !rovide lateral sta/ility to the frames. &ll framing must /e carried out so that it com!lies with on>site design documentation and any manufacturers: re7uirements. 1ersons erecting formwork must /e trained in safe erection methods. The risk of internal falls whilst erecting frames can /e controlled /y fully decking each lift. This involves? !ositioning a full deck of !lanks at each lift !ositioning !lanks on the ne9t lift while standing on a fully decked !latform and leaving each lift fully decked in !lace until it is dismantled. -uring dismantling of a lift !lanks are removed whilst standing on a fully decked !latform immediately /elow. Formwork false deck #n situations where a deck is at a height that would re7uire !ersons to stand at heights of two metres or more to install /earers and *oists for the formwork deck a continuous =false: deck which is a full deck the same area as the floor /eing formed should /e !rovided. This deck should /e !rovided /oth inside and /etween formwork frames and can ty!ically consist of form!ly scaffold !lanks or modular !latform sections. & !rotected access o!ening can /e left in the deck to ena/le materials to /e lifted u!. The use of a ca!tive !latform system is !refera/le to la!!ed !lanks /ecause a ca!tive system cannot /e accidentally dislodged. 8a!!ed !lanks may only /e used if secured against u!lift and sli!!ing. The false deck should /e constructed such that there are no large ga!s and ga!s only e9ist where a vertical mem/er of a frame !asses through the deck 4see .igure "6. 2a!s should not e9ceed 225 mm in width.

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Fi-,re 4 E !lan view of a false deck with ga!s at vertical mem/ers

Where a false deck is !rovided it should designed and installed to have ade7uate strength to su!!ort !ersons re7uired to stand on the deck and any materials or !ersons that could fall onto the deck or /e !laced on the deck. When considering the design of the deck for the erecting altering andAor dismantling of formwork the weight of the false deck and live load should /e a!!lied to the formwork su!!ort structure. The height /etween the false deck and the !ouring deck must allow access for a !erson during stri!!ing. Workers must not clim/ the framework. "nstalling #earers Learers should /e !laced in !osition so that !ersons are located no more than two metres from the floor or from the fall arresting !latform located immediately /elow them. .or e9am!le the /earer can /e lifted u! onto the to! of the formwork frame with a !erson standing on a !latform erected no more than two metres from the floor or false deck located immediately /elow them within the frame. Learers should /e !ositioned such that they will not fall off the to! of the frames. The usual method of ensuring this is /y !lacing the /earers in C>heads on to! of the frames and /y ensuring cantilevers are minimised. Where only single /earers are !laced in the C>head the /earer should /e !laced centrally in the C>head unless a formwork designer or engineer states otherwise. Where the to! of the su!!orting mem/er consists of a flat !late the /earer should /e nailed or otherwise effectively secured to the !late. C>heads should /e used where two /earers a/ut. .lat !lates should only /e used where s!ecified /y a formwork designer or engineer. "nstalling $oists Where a false deck is !rovided at 2 metres or less /elow a worker *oists may /e s!read on the /earers with the worker standing at /earer level 4that is on to!6. #f the height of the deck /eing constructed is more than 2 metres a/ove a continuous deck or surface /elow it *oists should /e s!read from a !latform located within 2 metres of that surface underneath the deck /eing constructed 4see .igure %6.

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Fi-,re ( > worker erecting formwork with !ermanent deck height M2 metres

3ne e9am!le of a work system that may /e used to do this is as follows? The *oists are lifted /y the workers from underneath and s!read on to! of the /earers into their a!!ro9imate final !ositions whilst standing on a lower work !latform. The !latform /elow the deck should /e !ositioned at a height a!!ro!riate for handling *oists 4without introducing manual task risks6 and not greater than two metres a/ove the continuous deck or surface /elow. Fall protection from the formwork deck -uring formwork construction the structure is constantly changing. 5ence continual modification of fall !rotection measures is also necessary. Where there is only one leading edge 4that is the other edges are !rovided with scaffolding edge !rotection6 the !rovision of fall !rotection on the leading edge is relatively straightforward. 5owever where there are multi!le leading edges andAor the deck is not at one consistent level the !rovision of fall !rotection may /e difficult to im!lement. -esigners of /uildings are therefore encouraged to design floor sla/s that are one consistent thickness. !dge protection on the formwork deck Where the design of the formwork is com!le9 it may /e im!ractical to !rovide edge !rotection on leading edges /ecause the !rofile of the deck is constantly changing and construction of leading edge !rotection would create more ha$ards than it would control. .or e9am!le the !ersons installing the edge !rotection could /e e9!osed to risk when installing the edge !rotection. 5owever in some situations it may /e necessary to !rovide !erimeter edge !rotection on edges of the formwork deck. 09am!les where edge !rotection should /e installed are? #f there is a change in deck height along the side of the deck /eing constructed 4that is a dro! down for a /eam6 and no *oists andAor form!ly has /een !rovided at this different height and if a leading edge is to /e left unattended and access onto the deck /y !ersons other than form workers is re7uired 4that is the formwork deck has not /een /arricaded off and !rovided with Hkee! outI signs6

1&20 26 3. 43

at o!enings in elevator shafts.

The most effective means of !roviding edge !rotection on a com!leted formwork deck is /y !roviding !erimeter scaffolding. ,caffolding is erected !rior to the formwork and !revents workers falling off the com!leted deck. The main advantage of this system is that !ersons are not re7uired to install edge !rotection on the !erimeter of the formwork deck and are therefore not e9!osed to a risk of falling. The other advantage is that edge !rotection for !ersons installing the final !erimeter form!ly sheets is already in !lace. Where scaffolding over four metres in height is !rovided any erection dismantling or alteration of the scaffolding must only /e undertaken /y licensed scaffolders. &ny scaffolding com!onents must /e re!laced following removal. 2a!s /etween a com!leted floor and scaffolding that may e9ist after the formwork su!!ort system is removed must /e covered where there is a risk of a !erson or materials falling through the ga!. #n some rare situations it may /e im!ractical to !rovide !erimeter scaffolding. #f this is the case the work system used to install !erimeter edge !rotection on the deck must ensure that a control measure is !rovided to ensure against the risk of a fall. The use of harness systems is discouraged /ecause it does not !rovide an ade7uate and !ractical control for the risk of a fall from height. #n some situations edge !rotection can /e su/stituted with an alternative measure !rovided this measure !revents a !erson falling from the edge. 3ne alternative is the !rovision of a /arricade 1.% metres /ack from the edge with clearly visi/le Hkee! outI signs. %aying formply on the deck & formwork deck must /e laid in a !rogressive way so that !ersons will /e !rovided with a method to !revent them from falling /elow the deck. This control measure is !articularly im!ortant in situations where a false deck has not /een !rovided within two metres /elow the level of the deck to /e laid. Where a false deck has not /een !rovided within two metres /elow form!ly may only /e s!read on the *oists !rovided where? 1ersons commence laying the form!ly sheets from the !erimeter scaffolding or other edge !rotection that has /een !rovided on the !erimeter of the formwork. & minimum of four *oists at 45+ mm centres 44++ mm ga!s totalling 1.% metres6 are located on /earers ne9t to the !erson and in the other direction *oists e9tend for at least 1.% metres 4see .igure )6. Therefore if a !erson falls they will fall onto the *oists and should /e !revented from falling further. #n some situations there may /e a !ossi/ility of a !erson falling through the *oists if the *oists s!read as the !erson:s /ody makes contact. This is more likely to /e a !otential ha$ard when the !erson falls onto the *oists such that the !erson:s fall is in the same direction as the *oists. #m!lementing controls to minimise sideways movement of *oists will minimise this !ossi/ility. 1ersons lay the form!ly in front of their /odies so that if they stum/le they are likely to fall on to! of the sheets /eing laid.

1&20 2" 3. 43

Fi-,re ) E @a9imum s!acing of tim/ers where deck is over 2 metres /elow

Where a leading edge is involved and the distance /elow the deck /eing constructed is greater than two metres the ,W@, work must detail how work will /e com!leted to control the risk. Cantilevers 'antilevered /earers *oists and !ly sheets can /e ha$ardous when left unsecured. The weight of material or a !erson standing on the cantilever may make the tim/er see>saw and cause the !erson or material to fall. When designing the formwork system the use of cantilevers should /e ke!t to a minimum. 5owever in some situations the use of cantilevered sections is unavoida/le. Where this is the case a formwork designer must consider the !otential for !ersons and stored materials to cause cantilevers to !ivot. Wherever the weight of a !erson will cause a cantilever to !ivot the cantilever must /e !ositively secured such that this will not occur. Where self>weight of tim/er is inade7uate to ensure the sta/ility of the cantilever all cantilevers should /e secured in accordance with the designer:s instructions. This may include nailing or another effective method such as /olting. Gailing should /e carried out such that the nail will not !ull out of the tim/er or shear off. Where skew nailing is used a minimum of two nails should /e used and the nail should meet the designer:s s!ecifications. Wherever !ractical it is !refera/le to secure cantilevers such that the nail or /olt is loaded in !ure shear 4that is no !ull>out load6. The use of !ur!ose designed /rackets should also /e considered. @aterials should not /e stacked or stored on a cantilever section unless the section has /een designed to carry that load. Tem!orary working !latforms cantilevered from shoring frames are a form of cantilevered scaffold. Where a !erson or o/*ect could fall more than 4 metres from the cantilevered scaffold workers involved in their erection alteration or dismantling must hold

1&20 2% 3. 43

a valid scaffolding licence or /e under the direct su!ervision of a licensed scaffolder. The minimum licence class for this ty!e of work is #ntermediate ,caffolding. Penetrations 3!en !enetrations such as stairwells or !enetrations to allow for services create ha$ards for !ersons on the deck. & !erson may fall through a larger !enetration sustain in*ury /y ste!!ing into a smaller !enetration or an o/*ect may fall through the o!ening onto !ersons /elow. &ny !enetration where there is a risk that a !erson or an o/*ect could fall through should /e guarded. 3!en !enetrations must /e !rotected either with edge !rotection 4for e9am!le handrails6 or securely covered. 'ast>in metal mesh with a small a!erture 4for e9am!le 5+ 9 5+ mm mesh si$e or smaller6 should /e used for small diameter !enetrations. The mesh should /e made of material ca!a/le of withstanding !otential loads. Where mesh or other !hysical fall !rotection material is to /e !rovided for larger !enetrations this should /e included in the design s!ecifications to ensure that it can withstand !otential loads including those a!!lied /y !eo!le e7ui!ment and material. Where holes are cut in the mesh for services to !ass through the hole should /e cut to the !rofile of the service so that mesh remains in the !enetration and the load carrying ca!acity of the mesh is not reduced /elow any design s!ecifications. The use of !ly covers alone are not to /e !referred /ecause? the cover may /e indistinguisha/le from other !ieces of !ly it may /e difficult to determine if the !ly is !ro!erly secured and secured !ly covers can /e unsecured to gain access and not re>secured. 5owever where a !ly cover is used in addition to cast>in mesh it acts as a /ack>u! system. 1ly covers should /e !ainted in a /right colour and /e marked a!!ro!riately 4for e9am!le H-anger 5ole CnderI6. The cover should /e firmly secured to the concrete and /e designed for !otential loads that may /e a!!lied. Lefore stri!!ing formwork the !enetration that will /e e9!osed as the formwork is stri!!ed must /e covered and or !rotected !rior to the commencement of the stri!!ing o!eration. 1enetrations are also ha$ardous /efore the deck is laid. Joists !laced u! to the edge of the !enetration should /e secured so that the tim/ers cannot s!read if a !erson falls on them. Working areas for steel fi&ers and others ,teel fi9ers !lum/ers and electricians often follow closely /ehind the formwork erection. The formwork $one should /e large enough to ensure that these other !ersons are clearly se!arated from form workers. & =formwork only: $one should /e maintained /ehind the leading edge. This $one should /e clearly demarcated /y signage and a mesh /arrier. .igure 1+ illustrates the =other work: $one the =formwork: $one and the area retained as edge !rotection 4four *oists s!aced 1%++ mm /eyond the laid deck6. To control the risk of sli!s and tri!s when multi!le trades are accessing large areas where reinforcement mesh has /een laid /ehind formworkers use tem!orary walkways that are laid across the reinforcement mesh.

1&20 2) 3. 43

Fi-,re 1= E 0nd view of deck showing working $ones 4source N8- code !age 2+6

Changing floor levels .ormwork decks are rarely flat across the entire floor generally due to dee! /eams or :dro! downs: 4sometimes called :ca!itals:6 around columns. Cneven floors introduce fall ha$ards. #t is !refera/le that these ha$ards /e eliminated at the design stage. These ha$ards are most effectively managed /y ensuring that formwork su!!orts and the deck are !rogressively constructed for the lower !arts of the deck /efore work commences on the higher>level areas of the deck.

1.'2 Cra$e a$d %oad ha$d%i$The lifting and !lacing of loads is a common formwork and falsework activity that can have catastro!hic conse7uences if not managed a!!ro!riately. -esigners need to consider the work systems that may /e used so that formwork and falsework structures are designed to /e ca!a/le of carrying tem!orary loads during construction and dismantling as well as the load of the !ermanent structure. %oading materials during construction 1lant and materials including !ro!!ing mem/ers stacks of !ly forms /earers and *oists are sometimes lifted onto a deck during formworkAfalsework erection and /efore the deck is signed over. ,tacked materials create !oint loadings which the formworkAfalsework structure may not /e designed to /ear. 1lant and materials should only /e stored on formwork and falsework where allowed for /y the design and when the structure or deck is sufficiently constructed so it is a/le to /ear the load. .ormwork is not suita/le for any loading until it is fully secured. That is when the deck is in !lace with tie>ins and /ack>!ro!!ing com!lete. #n !ractice some loading often occurs /efore the deck is com!leted for e9am!le unloading !allets of !ly and *oists used to construct the deck.

1&20 3+ 3. 43

To minimise the risk of colla!se and other ha$ards? .ormworkAfalsework design drawings should clearly identify the ma9imum !oint loadings for the tem!orary structure or deck 4!re>!our for concrete formwork6. 1oint loadings must not e9ceed the ma9imum weight s!ecified /y a designer. 8oads must not /e !laced on the tem!orary structure or deck if the designer:s documentation !rohi/its loading. 'rane crews should /e notified when an area of the tem!orary structure or deck is ready to take a !lantAmaterial load and where that load can /e !laced safely 4lifting $one6. 'rane crews should not lift !lant or materials onto the tem!orary structure or deck until there is a designated lifting $one and it has /een clearly identified. 8oads including !eo!le should only /e !laced in the area4s6 designated as safe. -elivery of materials to the work!lace should /e !lanned so that loads are not lifted onto an incom!lete or unsecured tem!orary structure or deck. 1rior to !ersons leaving the work!lace !lant and materials should /e secured to !revent them /eing moved /y wind loads. 'ccess for persons slinging loads ,afe access and egress must /e !rovided for all !ersons working on formwork or falsework including !ersons slinging and un>slinging loads. #t may /e !ractical to fit !latforms and edge !rotection to lift forms to !rotect !ersons when slinging the loads. 1ersons re7uired to access the !latforms from ladders should have a safe means of access !rovided /etween the ladder and !latform. They should not clim/ over the to! of the edge !rotection. Where ladders are to /e used /y !ersons while slinging loads they should /e secured to !revent movement. .urther guidance on managing the risks associated with falls and the safe use of ladders is availa/le in the Code of Practice $anaging the Ri!k of .all! at Workplace!% %ifting plant and materials 'rane>lifted loads should /e slung and secured so that the load 4or any !art of it6 cannot fall. The following issues need to /e considered when undertaking formwork or falsework? Tare mass of wall lift or column forms should /e !rovided with formworkAfalsework documentation and made availa/le for ins!ection /y all interested !arties. .ormworkAfalsework frames should either /e tied together or lifting slings should /e wra!!ed around the load. 8oads of *oists or /earers should /e stra!!ed together /efore lifting. .orm!ly loads should /e stra!!ed together and lifted in a flat !osition. %ifting lugs ,lings attached to lugs or holes cut into !art of the load are often used to lift forms 4instead of wra!!ing the lifting slings around the load6. Where lugs or holes are used designer information verifying the structural ade7uacy of the lifting !oints should /e availa/le including the? structural ade7uacy of the lifting lugAhole and means of attaching a lug to the load 4usually welded or /olted to the load6.

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1.'3 I$ /ectio$ a$d !o$itori$& com!etent !erson such as a 7ualified engineer should ins!ect and confirm installed formwork and falsework is /uilt to s!ecification and structurally sound /efore it is loaded. The sco!e of this certification work should /e documented so that there is no confusion or dou/t as to what has /een ins!ected. The erected formwork and falsework should not /e su/*ected to any load until it has /een confirmed as meeting the design s!ecification. The erected formwork and falsework must not /e su/*ected to any loading that e9ceeds the design loading as s!ecified /y the designer. To maintain sta/ility of the forms the !lacement of concrete should /e less than the ma9imum calculated !our rate on the in/oard !art of any formwork /efore !roceeding to a cantilever section. .ormwork and falsework should /e monitored as it is loaded to check that vertical and hori$ontal movements do not e9ceed s!ecifications. #n addition the condition of any falsework that is to remain in service for long !eriods should /e routinely checked to ensure that its com!onents remain fit for !ur!ose and that any deterioration is not adversely affecting its load /earing ca!acity. Go !erson should /e !laced /eneath formwork deck during concrete !lacement. 5oisting !um!ing and other e7ui!ment should not /e attached to the formwork unless s!ecifically designed for the !ur!ose. &n o/server should continuously su!ervise the !lacement of concrete into the formwork assem/ly and /e !rovided with a communication system to alert the concrete crews in case an emergency arises. .urther information on s!ecifications on loads and vertical and hori$ontal movements can /e found in AS *+,- Supplement 2 .orm#ork for concrete 4 Commentary%

1.'8 Stri//i$- for!"or#

,tri!!ing formwork can /e one of the most ha$ardous !hases of in>situ concrete construction. While falling o/*ects are the !rimary ha$ard there may also /e fall ha$ards as a result of floor colla!se and manual tasks ha$ards from a !erson working in awkward !ostures re!etitive handling of materials and limited task variety. &s with formwork erection the stri!!ing o!eration should /e carried out in an orderly !rogressive manner. &n assessment of the risks in stri!!ing formwork should include consideration of the following? the num/er of !ersons in the stri!!ing crew the se7uence of stri!!ing activities E this would need to detail how the frames andAor other su!!orts should /e removed 4that is how far C>heads are to /e lowered6 whether the su!!ort system is to /e com!letely removed in a $one !rior to removal of the formwork deck or whether the su!!orts are to /e lowered slightly /ut still remain under the form!ly while it is /eing removed when /ack>!ro!!ing is re7uired or only !art of the su!!ort system is to /e removed how the structural mem/ers are to remain in !lace andAor the ty!e and layout of mem/ers that will re!lace the formwork system any other s!ecial re7uirements involved in the stri!!ing and or /uilding !rocess 4for e9am!le checking of /ack>!ro!!ing after !ost>tensioning6 !roviding ade7uate lighting of work area and surroundings

1&20 32 3. 43

maintaining housekee!ing removing nails and re*ected materials stacking stri!!ed formwork removing tri!!ing ha$ards Esuch as concrete nails and /race anchor inserts from floor.

Competent person sign(off prior to stripping 1rior to commencement of the stri!!ing o!eration a com!etent !erson such as a 7ualified engineer should !rovide written confirmation that the formwork can /e removed. The certification should /e /ased on the design s!ecifications for the structure the verification of the strength of the concrete mi9 and the time !eriod that has ela!sed since the !our. & com!etent !erson should also have in!ut into the stri!!ing work method statement to ensure the !ermanent concrete element will not fail and result in colla!se. -ocumentation from the concrete su!!lier verifying the concrete s!ecification should /e availa/le on re7uest. & concrete sam!ling and testing !rocedure should /e in !lace to verify the concrete meets its design s!ecification. .urther information on sam!ling and testing systems for concrete is availa/le in AS ,*05 Specification and Supply of Concrete% )ond reduction ,tri!!ing of formwork will /e aided /y reducing the /ond /etween the form material and the concrete. The /ond will /e de!endent on the material characteristics and the smoothness of the form material. The use of a li7uid /ond /reaker on wall and column forms is one way of reducing the strength of the /ond. 5owever the use of /ond /reaker on floor forms is not encouraged /ecause of the sli! ha$ard that may result. !&clusion *one 3nly !ersons involved in the stri!!ing o!eration should /e !ermitted in the area to /e stri!!ed. ,tri!!ing areas should /e cordoned off and signs should /e dis!layed. The signs should re7uire !ersons to kee! out of the area 4for e9am!le H-anger > .ormwork stri!!ing in !rogress E authorised !ersons onlyI6. #t is !refera/le to restrict access to the whole floor where soffit stri!!ing is taking !lace and this should reduce the 7uantity of signage and /arricades re7uired. Where other trades are re7uired to work on the same floor during stri!!ing of walls columns or small sections of soffit a!!ro!riate controls will need to /e a!!lied to !revent other !ersons from entering the stri!!ing area. rop stripping .ormwork removal must /e carried out in a systematic manner such that the deck is !rogressively removed as the su!!ort system is gradually removed. 3ne way to remove the form!ly is /y !artially lowering the su!!ort system and then dro!!ing the segment of the deck 4sheet6 onto the su!!ort system. This is eliminates the need to manually lift sheets of !ly from ground level. =-ro! stri!!ing: is a term sometimes used to descri/e the method used when all of the formwork su!!ort system is removed and the form!ly is allowed to dro! to the floor either /y its own weight or /y !ersons levering it off. -ro! stri!!ing should never /e used to stri! formwork. #t can /e very ha$ardous /ecause the form!ly is likely to fall in an uncontrolled manner and can strike !ersons in the vicinity of the work.

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1.'5 Di !a$t%i$- fa% e"or#

&s with formwork a com!etent !erson such as a 7ualified engineer should !rovide written confirmation that the !ermanent structure is self>su!!orting and the falsework can /e safely removed. #n general falsework should /e dismantled in an orderly se7uence that is the reverse of its erection. Lack !ro!!ing arrangements must also /e verified !rior to commencing removal. .or in>situ concrete structures all or most of the formwork should /e removed /efore the falsework is removed. #f the dismantling of formwork andAor falsework is to occur over live vehicular or !edestrian traffic utilise road closures or e9clusion $ones to !revent o/*ects falling onto traffic andAor !hysical /arriers such as catch !latforms to !revent o/*ects falling onto traffic. Where work is /eing undertaken over o!erational roadways or railways measures should /e taken to ensure that? !rotection is in !lace at all times to !revent o/*ects falling onto traffic or !ersons /elow tem!orary fencing known as a !erimeter screen that is at least 2 metres high is !rovided on the side4s6 of the erected deck such fencing should /e clad with shade cloth or similar material to contain any falling or wind>/lown items.

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SPECIAL FORMWORK CONTROL MEASURES 1.'4 Wa%% a$d co%,!$ for!

)racing for wind loading Wall and column forms should /e designed to withstand wind loading !rior to during and after the concrete !our. The /racing and forms should not /e removed from the cast element until it can safely withstand !otential im!act loads and wind loads. 8ateral su!!ort can /e !rovided to vertical elements in a variety of ways including hori$ontal and angled /races and structural connections to other !arts of the /uilding. & /racing element design should /e com!leted /y a com!etent !erson. The /racing element must also /e a/le to resist /oth tensile and com!ressive loads that may /e a!!lied /y the wind. &nchors for /races should !refera/ly /e cast>in ty!e anchors or =through> /olts: that e9tend through /oth sides of the anchoring medium. -rill>in anchors of the following ty!e may /e used !rovided they are installed in accordance with the manufacturer:s instructions? undercut ty!e anchor that do not rely on friction to functionF e9!ansion anchors of the high>load sli! tor7ue controlled ty!e. These anchors have a working load of at least 6+ !er cent of the first sli! load and are generally suita/le for structural tensile loadsF coil /olts > the correct o!eration of coil /olts is greatly de!endant on their /eing installed in accordance with a manufacturer:s s!ecifications 4for e9am!le drilling the correct si$e hole and a!!lying the correct tor7ue in concrete of ade7uate strength6. -rill>in ty!e anchors should have their tor7ue set using an a!!ro!riate tor7ue wrench or another relia/le method that will verify the tor7ue 4that is a cali/rated Hrattle gunI6. Written records verifying the setting tor7ue for all drill>in ty!e anchors should /e availa/le at the work!lace. 'ccess platforms ,uita/le access for doggers steel fi9ers and concreters should /e !rovided and may include mo/ile scaffolding !ur!ose /uilt work !latforms or elevating work !latforms. 0dge !rotection should /e !rovided on the access !latforms. 1referred methods of access to !latforms include stair access systems or if im!ractical /y means of secured industrial ladders. The access method should allow ade7uate room for a !erson and /e !ositioned at a height and distance from the form so as to minimise movement and a !erson:s e9ertion. &ny concrete !ouring system should !ermit ade7uate s!ace for a !erson to stand with edge !rotection !rovided. &ll mo/ile work !latforms should have their castors locked at all times e9ce!t when relocating the mo/ile !latform. 1latforms should also /e designed to resist any side loading that may /e a!!lied during a concrete !our to ensure the !latform does not overturn. &luminium scaffolding may not have ade7uate self>weight to ensure this. %ifting methods Wall and column form should /e !rovided with lifting !oints that have /een designed /y a com!etent !erson. -esign drawings should confirm this. 5oles cut with o9y>acetylene torches

1&20 35 3. 43

in>situ are not recommended as they may damage the form /e inaccurate and make it difficult to attach lifting gear. Where lifting lugs are attached to the form the weld si$e and length should /e s!ecified /y a com!etent !erson and the manufacturer should ensure that the weld com!lies with the design re7uirements 4that is of the correct si$e and has ade7uate weld !enetration6. Wall and column forms must only /e lifted with a !ositive lifting system such as lifting lugs or /y slinging the lifting slings around the form such that the form cannot sli! out of the slings. 1ur!ose designed lifting lugs are !refera/le to slinging the load /ecause there is less risk of the load /ecoming inadvertently disconnected from the crane hook.

1.'( S%i/1 <,!/ a$d tra.e%%i$- for!

This section a!!lies to sli! forms *um! forms travelling forms and crane lifted forms that incor!orate working !latforms and enclosed cells in which !ersons are re7uired to work. The work systems and layout of some crane>lifted forms may also /e similar to those associated with sli! forms and *um! forms. This may /e the case for crane>lifted forms !rovided for the inside of lift shafts. While most of the information in this section a!!lies to sli! forms and *um! forms some of the !rinci!les may also a!!ly to travelling and crane>lifted forms. When designing and o!erating these ty!es of form the following issues should /e addressed? !rovision for safe access to all areas and work !latforms control of risk associated with working at height !rovision of sufficient working s!ace and head room s!ecification of a!!ro!riate manual handling methods for shutters and other com!onents for e9am!le the use of cranes to lift shutters and !rovision of safe access for !ersons attaching slings to shutters !rovision for retrieval of an in*ured or inca!acitated !erson from any work area located within the structure. #t is acknowledged it may not /e !ractica/le to !rovide an access system and working environment on a *um! form or sli! form that are of the same standard as elsewhere. This is !rimarily due to /uilding characteristics and weight limitations. & designer must minimise the risks so far as is reasona/ly !ractica/le. esign issues The design of *um! forms and sli! forms is more com!le9 than the design of traditional formwork systems for floors. 2reater technical in!ut from a designer is re7uired including consideration of wind loading. .or this reason the sli! form or *um! form designer should /e a 7ualified and com!etent !erson 4for e9am!le a structural engineer6. The *um! form or sli! form designer should /e involved /oth in the initial design of the form and in addressing ongoing design issues that will occur during form erection and during the life of the /uilding !ro*ect. @any of the design !ro/lems associated with *um! forms and sli! forms will not /ecome a!!arent until the *o/ is !rogressing and it is likely that alterations to the design of the form will /e necessary. The designer should therefore ins!ect the form at the work!lace and

1&20 36 3. 43

work closely with !ersons involved in its o!eration and the !rinci!al contractor to determine if difficulties are /eing encountered. 'ha!ter 3 of this 'ode discusses formwork and falsework design considerations. #n addition the following factors should /e considered /y the designer of these ty!es of formwork? minimum concrete strength re7uired !rior to clim/ing allowance for all loads including dynamic and wind loads that may /e a!!lied to the form allowance for loads a!!lied /y workers and concrete !lacing activities allowance may also need to /e made for im!act loading when materials are lifted onto the deck of the form allowance for the effects of eccentric loading on the form /oth during clim/ing and at other times noting the re7uirements in the o!erating !rocedures for the form the ma9imum degree to which the form can /e out>of>level during clim/ing and the !rocedure re7uired /oth to minimise the likelihood of this occurring and how to remedy the situation if the form /ecomes out>of>level rescue !rocedure re7uirements that may affect the design of the form > the rescue !rocedure may re7uire access to all levels of the form and cells either through the !rovision of gates or removal of !anels on the form. 'ccess and egress &ccess to the form may /e !rovided in a variety of ways including one or more of the following? !ersonnel and material hoists on the /uilding !ermanent stair systems in the /uilding a trailing stair system sus!ended from the sli! form or *um! form andAor a trailing ladder system. & trailing stair system is !refera/le to a ladder system /ecause it is easier for !ersons to ascend and descend and emergency evacuation is generally easier on a stair system. The access area /etween the trailing access system and the /uilding should /e clear of tri! ha$ards and there should /e no ga!s /etween !latforms e9ceeding 1++ mm wide. & formwork designer should ensure that any trailing access system is designed for loads that could /e a!!lied in an emergency evacuation situation. Loth the strength of the system itself and the a/ility of the form to withstand a!!lied loads from the access system should /e ade7uate. Where the designer of the formwork s!ecifies a lesser live load than 2.5k1a the following should a!!ly? a sign stating the ma9imum load that can /e a!!lied to the stairs should /e fi9ed to the stairs in a visi/le !osition written !rocedures are im!lemented to ensure the ma9imum num/er of !ersons on the form is not e9ceeded. &ny access ladders should /e secured in !lace. .urther guidance on the safe use of ladders is availa/le in the Code of Practice $anaging the ri!k of fall! at #orkplace!%

1&20 3" 3. 43

&ccess o!enings for ladders on working decks should /e !rovided with tra!doors that are closed e9ce!t when /eing accessed. Tra!doors should /e !rovided with a device so that they can /e easily o!ened from a/ove. This device should not !ose a tri! ha$ard for !ersons on the deck. &ccess ways should /e ke!t free of materials and ru//ish to !revent o/*ects falling to the level4s6 /elow. Working platforms and penetrations The following !oints highlight s!ecific issues that should /e considered? &ll !enetrations should /e covered /y form!ly that is secured in !osition or should /e !rovided with leading or !erimeter edge !rotection. When !lacing steel or !ouring concrete into a form controls should /e !rovided to !revent a !erson falling into or off the form. This /ecomes more of an issue when the width of the form is greater than 225 mm !rior to !lacement of reinforcing steel. & !erson working in !ro9imity to !ro*ecting reinforcing steel or other o/*ects must /e !rotected from the risk of /eing im!aled /y these o/*ects. ,uita/le controls may include edge !rotection on the internal side of the working !latform or sheets of steel re> enforcement mesh tem!orarily !laced on to! of the form that is the steel can /e fed through the ga!s in the mesh. &ll !latforms that may /e affected /y u!lift should /e !ositively secured so that u!lift cannot occur. C!lift can occur from wind loading or when a !latform is out>of>level and unsecured. #n the latter instance the !latform can see>saw when a load is a!!lied to the end of the !latform and then dro! a !erson off the !latform if one of the !latforms su!!orts moves. This may /e the case where work !latforms are su!!orted /y a trailing screen on one side and a !ara!et of the /uilding on the other. Where individual cells of the form are clim/ed at different times edge !rotection should /e !rovided on each of the raised cells. Trailing screens and platforms Trailing screens can !rovide edge !rotection a means of !reventing falling o/*ects and /e designed to incor!orate working !latforms. Where !latforms are !rovided these are usually for the !ur!ose of !atching the /uilding or carrying out minor re!airs and for access for !ersons clim/ing the form. & designer of formwork will s!ecifically need to address all issues for which the trailing screen system is designed. The following issues should /e included in the design? & suita/le design loading for any !latforms on the trailing system. ,igns should /e fi9ed to the !latforms that state the ma9imum load !ermitted in kilograms. 1ersons at the work!lace should /e made aware of the ma9imum loading that may /e a!!lied to the trailing !latform and this should /e stated in documentation ke!t at the work!lace. &de7uate controls should /e !rovided to control the risk of falling o/*ects. &ll !latforms should /e secured to !revent u!lift or any other movement. 09ce!t where it is im!ractical to do otherwise a !erson should not /e located on trailing !latforms while the !latforms are crane lifted. #f a !erson is located on a !latform while it is /eing lifted /y a crane the following controls must /e im!lemented? a !erson should /e !revented from falling down any ga! that may e9ist on the inside edge of the !latform that is /etween the !latform and the wall /eing constructed. #t is !refera/le to !rovide edge !rotection on the inside edge to ensure this. .all arrest

1&20 3% 3. 43

harnesses may /e !rovided for workers as long as workers are trained in their safe use and a rescue !rocedure for retrieval of workers following a fall has /een !re!aredF !ersons on the !latform hold at least a dogger or rigger licence class or a !erson with such a licence class is also located on the !latform as it is lifted a clear method of communication /etween the crane o!erator and the dogger res!onsi/le for directing the lift e9ists such as a whistle or two way radios.

Clim#ing the form #t is im!ortant to ensure the different !arts of the form remain level during the clim/ing !rocess. 'lim/ing is usually carried out using a series of clim/ing devices set u! to lift at the same time and at the same rate. #f the lifting system is not !ro!erly synchronised the form may /ecome wedged on the structure or structural mem/ers may /e overloaded. There should therefore /e a system to ensure that the form does not go out>of>level during the clim/ing !rocedure. This system may /e an automated system or may rely on o!erators sto!!ing the clim/ing !rocess. The following should a!!ly? 3nly !ersons directly involved with the clim/ing !rocess should /e located on the form during the clim/ing !rocess. &ny !otential ni! or shear !oints where a !erson could /e in*ured during the clim/ are identified and risk controls im!lemented. &ll o/structions on the form have /een removed !rior to the form /eing clim/ed. & =sign> off: !rocedure for this should /e !rovided. This includes the removal of =O>/ars: ferrule /olts and other material that would snag on the structure if they were not removed. ,ervices including electrical ca/le and water !i!es have /een designed so that they will not ru!ture or snag as the form is clim/ed. When removing a form from a vertical element the form must /e effectively su!!orted such that it never relies on suction for su!!ort. ,erious incidents have occurred when it has /een assumed that a form is su!!orted from a/ove when it is in fact relying on =through /olts: through the wall for su!!ort. When the /olts have /een removed the form has fallen with the !ersons still standing on a !latform attached to the form. This ha$ard can a!!ly /oth to crane lifted forms and *um! forms. "nstruction and training #n view of the s!ecialised work systems and uni7ue ha$ards that e9ist on sli! and *um! forms s!ecific instruction and training should /e !rovided for !ersons intending to work on the forms. Training should include /ut not /e limited to? the ma9imum loadings that can /e a!!lied to the various areas on the form > this would include information a/out areas where materials can /e stored restricted access areas and !rocedures for installation and removal of edge !rotection clim/ing or *um!ing !rocedures for those involved in these o!erations emergency evacuation !rocedures for those re7uired to work on the form fire fighting !rocedures to /e used in emergency situations !rior to fire fighting !ersonnel arriving at the scene any other s!ecial work !rocedures that s!ecifically a!!ly to working on the form for e9am!le time limits for working in cells where these a!!ly or safe undertaking of manual tasks.

1&20 3) 3. 43

Health issues and workplace facilities The following !rovisions should /e considered to ensure the welfare of workers involved in sli! and *um! formwork? &de7uate ventilation and access to all cells in *um! forms or sli! forms. #t is difficult for !ersons to s!end e9tended !eriods in cells due to the heat and cram!ed working conditions. &llowance should /e made for these issues and it may /e necessary to s!ecify ma9imum times for !articular cells de!ending on tem!erature humidity and cell si$e. These times should /e develo!ed as !art of a work method statement following consultation /etween the formwork contractor and the workers. &de7uate ventilation and access within cells and it may /e necessary to !rovide ventilation grills or access ways in the cells. 'lean drinking water on the to! level of the sli! or *um! form. 3n larger sli! forms and *um! forms it may /e necessary to !rovide clean drinking water on other levels. & chemical toilet on the to! of the *um! form. .irst aid e7ui!ment. !mergencies .ire e9tinguishers hoses and other means of fire !revention and control should /e !rovided on the *um! form or sli! form in accordance with relevant legislation. 0mergency !rocedures for the *um! form or sli! form must /e develo!ed documented and im!lemented. Workers must /e trained in these !rocedures. The emergency !rocedures should include /ut not /e limited to? the method of alert in the event of an emergency and the method of e9tracting !ersons from each location or cell that the !ersons have access to or could fall into when to evacuate !ersons from the form evacuation muster !oints /oth on and off the form training in the use of fire e9tinguishers identifying !ersons res!onsi/le for ensuring evacuation takes !lace rescue !rocedures in the event of severe medical conditions identifying !ersons res!onsi/le for rescuing workers rescue training for !ersons involved in rescuing others where outside e9!erts will not /e res!onsi/le for !erforming the rescue. (es!onse to emergency situations must /e considered during formwork design and in an ongoing way during construction. 0mergency arrangements for the evacuation of an in*ured worker from a formwork =cell: need to consider how to safely remove an immo/ilised or unconscious !erson. This may include creating emergency access holes and doorways through decks and screens. 1rocedures must identify how to access lift>voids and other areas including cells within the core which may have limited access. 0mergency services contacts should /e clearly identified and availa/le.

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APPENDI? A @ DEFINITIONS
Bearer The !rimary hori$ontal su!!ort mem/ers for a formwork deck that are !laced on to! of formwork frames. Learers are usually constructed from tim/er /ut are sometimes constructed from metal such as in the case of some modular formwork systems. & tem!orary !latform located /elow a work area that is designed to? 4a6 catch a worker in the event of a fallF and 4/6 sustain the ma9imum !otential im!act load of a falling !erson. &n area of a sli! form *um! form or crane lifted form where a worker or workers are re7uired to carry out work. The cell will at least /e enclosed /y all sides and a /ottom surface. & !erson who has ac7uired through training 7ualification or e9!erience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.
Gote? .or certain activities s!ecific additional com!etencies are re7uired E refer to 'ha!ter 1 of the W5, (egulations.

Catch /%atfor!

Ce%%

Co!/ete$t /er o$

E$-i$eer

& com!etent !erson that has tertiary 7ualifications in an engineering disci!line relevant to the design activity they are undertaking for e9am!le civil engineer. The engineer that undertakes the !lanning and design activities relating to the erection of the formwork andAor falsework. This includes the !rovision of the design and documentation of all tem!orary works and s!ecial e7ui!ment re7uired for construction on>site. & fall /y a !erson or o/*ect from one level to another. 'onstruction work that? involves a risk of a !erson falling more than 2 metres involves or is likely to involve the distur/ance of as/estos involves structural alterations or re!airs that re7uire tem!orary su!!ort to !revent colla!se is carried out in or near a confined s!ace is carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an e9cavated de!th greater than 1.5 metres or a tunnel involves the use of e9!losives is carried out on or near !ressurised gas distri/ution mains or !i!ing is carried out on or near chemical fuel or refrigerant lines is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services is carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flamma/le atmos!here is carried out on in or ad*acent to a road railway shi!!ing lane or other traffic corridor that is in use /y traffic other than !edestrians is carried out in an area at a work!lace in which there is any movement of !owered mo/ile !lant

Erectio$ e$-i$eer

Fa%% 7i-h ri # co$ tr,ctio$ "or#

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Aoi t

is carried out in or near water or other li7uid that involves a risk of drowning.

& secondary hori$ontal su!!ort mem/er for the formwork deck that is !laced on to! of /earers at right angles to the /earers. Joists are usually constructed from tim/er /ut are sometimes constructed from metal such as in the case of some modular formwork systems. & formwork system that is s!ecifically designed for formwork and consists of com!onents that are not designed to /e used with other systems. & !rotective structure fi9ed to the !erimeter of a /uilding structure or working !latform to !revent o/*ects and !eo!le from falling. & slender structural mem/er !laced in a vertical !osition /etween two hori$ontal surfaces and used to su!!ort the u!!er surface.

Mod,%ar For!"or# S+ te! Peri!eter afet+ cree$ Pro/

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APPENDI? B > TEC7NICAL STANDARDS

Tech$ica% Sta$dard The following ta/le is a list of !u/lished technical standards that !rovide guidance on some matters relevant to the use of formwork and falsework. These technical standards !rovide guidance only and com!liance with them does not guarantee com!liance with the W5, &ct and (egulations in all instances. This list is not e9haustive. A, tra%ia$ Sta$dard +eference &, 361+ &, 11"+ 41art 16 &, 11"+ 41art 26 &, 13") &, 255+ 4series6 &, 26+1 &, 36++ &, 165" a$d A, tra%ia$BNe" Cea%a$d Sta$dard Title .ormwork for concrete ,tructural design actionsP1ermanent im!osed and other actions ,tructural design actionsPWind actions ,!ecification and ,u!!ly of 'oncrete 'ranes hoists and winches E ,afe use -emolition of structures 'oncrete structures .i9ed !latforms walkways stairways and ladders E -esign construction and installation

1&20 43 3. 43