FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK

INFORMATION SHEET
1

Overview What do I need to do?

This Information Sheet provides advice You must manage the risks to workers and
for small businesses and workers on other people’s health and safety which
managing risks associated with formwork may arise from the erection, alteration,
and falsework activities, for example dismantling and use of formwork and
formwork and falsework contractors. falsework. This includes managing the risk of
plant, powered mobile plant and plant that
More information is in the General guide for lifts or suspends loads, for example cranes.
formwork and falsework and specific guides
for formwork, falsework and slip, jump and Consider whether risks from formwork and
falsework can be completely removed from
travelling formwork systems.
the workplace, for example by selecting an
Further information on construction work is alternative construction method.
in the Code of Practice: Construction work.
If risks cannot be eliminated think about
how they can be minimised, for example:

! What is formwork
and falsework?
„„ using precast columns and beams
instead of constructing formwork
Formwork means the surface of the form and pouring concrete on site
and framing used to contain and shape wet „„ working at ground level or on a finished
concrete until it is self-supporting. floor

Falsework means the temporary structure „„ using barricades and signs to create
used to support a permanent structure, an exclusion zone in the area where
material, plant, equipment and people formwork is to be erected or stripped
until the construction of the permanent to prevent other workers entering
structure has advanced to the stage where „„ using edge protection or fall arrest
it is self-supporting. systems to prevent falls from heights
„„ scheduling delivery times so loads are

! What are the risks?

Hazards and risks associated with formwork
not lifted onto incomplete or unsecured
temporary structures or decks, and
„„ using personal protective equipment
and falsework activities can include:
(PPE) like high visibility clothing,
„„ collapse of the formwork and falsework protective hand and footwear and hard
hats.
„„ major functional requirements of the
formwork and falsework like the height,
maximum live and dead loads and Design of plant and structures
access requirements Formwork and falsework component
„„ adjacent buildings and structures designers are responsible for designing
components that are safe to manufacture,
„„ ground conditions assemble and use for the purpose they
„„ electric lines were designed for. The formwork and
falsework components are plant and may be
„„ falls and falling objects purchased, hired in or supplied, for example
„„ lifting plant and materials by a formwork and falsework contractor.

„„ loading materials during construction Anything constructed to support a load

including formwork and falsework, can
„„ lifting points be referred to as a structure. Design of
„„ mixing components structures and plant is inter-related and
designers may have multiple responsibilities.
„„ powered mobile plant and traffic, and For example formwork systems and loads
„„ unauthorised access to the construction will impact on the design of the structure
workplace. and should be taken into consideration by
the structural designer.

See the General guide for formwork

and falsework for more information
on plant and structural design.

978-1-74361-791-5 [Multi-Vol. Set]

Safe Work Australia Contact Information 978-1-74361-789-2 [PDF]
Phone 1300 551 832 | Email info@swa.gov.au | Web www.swa.gov.au 978-1-74361-790-8 [DOCX]
 FORMWORK AND FALSEWORK
INFORMATION SHEET
2

Erecting, altering and Work Health and Safety (WHS)

! dismantling formwork
and falsework
management plans
Where the cost of the construction work is
Formwork and falsework should be $250 000 or more a principal contractor
systematically erected and dismantled for a construction project must prepare
by competent persons and tied in a written WHS management plan for the
progressively to stabilise the structure workplace before work on the construction
in accordance with the designer’s or project starts.
manufacturer’s instructions. Prefabricated
Further information on WHS
formwork and falsework should be
management plans is in the Code
erected and used in accordance with the
of Practice: Construction work.
manufacturer’s instructions.

Information on foundations and footings, Inspection and maintenance

erecting, inspecting, altering and
dismantling formwork and falsework is A person with management or control
in the General guide for formwork and of formwork and falsework at a workplace
falsework. has a responsibility to have formwork and
falsework inspected and maintained so that
Where scaffolding is used to erect it is safe. This includes inspections before
formwork and falsework, it must comply the formwork and falsework is loaded,
with the requirements for scaffolding after loading and after any repairs,
including using licensed scaffolders. Further alterations or additions to formwork
information on scaffolds is in the General and falsework are made.
guide for scaffolds and scaffolding work.
For registered plant like prefabricated
scaffolding and cranes, a record of
Competency and licensing all commissioning, decommissioning,
A person who erects, alters or dismantles inspection, maintenance, alterations
formwork and falsework must be and dismantling must be kept.
competent to do the work safely. Suitable
training must be provided. Emergency plan
Although there is no high risk work licence An emergency plan must be prepared and
for formwork and falsework erection maintained and provide for emergency
high risk work licences are required for response, evacuation procedures, medical
other associated plant, for example when assistance and communication with
undertaking scaffolding work or operating emergency service organisations and
cranes, hoists, forklifts or elevating work others at the workplace. It should also
platforms. The high risk work licensing address formwork collapse and people
classes are listed in Schedule 3 of the falling from height.
WHS Regulations.
Emergency arrangements for evacuating
an injured worker from, for example a
Safe work method statement formwork ‘cell’, should consider how
(SWMS) to safely remove an immobilised or
unconscious person. This may include
The construction of formwork and falsework creating emergency entry holes and
or working on the resulting structure doorways through decks and screens.
may involve activities defined as ‘high
risk construction work’ under the WHS Workers must be provided with information
Regulations. and training on the emergency procedures
for the workplace and the procedures must
The SWMS must be developed in be tested.
consultation with workers and their
representatives who are carrying out the For further information see the
high risk construction work. Safe Work Australia website
(www.swa.gov.au).
Further information on high risk
construction work, SWMS and a SWMS
template is in the Code of Practice:
Construction work.

JULY 2014