Eiffel 101: Concrete Formwork Safety Checklist
It’s very important for concrete formwork to be installed and removed properly to avoid safety issues to workers and issues that may compromise the integrity of the structures you cast. It’s also integral that you use the right kind of formwork with the right specs for the job. There are a number of things workers can do to boost the safety of projects that involve concrete formwork. Below is a concrete formwork safety checklist to aid in the proper and safe use of forms:
1. Be aware of design specs.
You should obtain detailed information and descriptions of any formwork you plan to use. The more you know about the formwork, the better you’ll be able to assess if it’s the best and ultimately the safest choice for the job required.
2. Make sure it’s properly designed for the job.
Getting the right formwork design for the job matters, and it allows you to know you won’t have any structural issues that could cause safety problems. Design considerations should include load capacity during concrete casting and strength to support structural loads. Additionally, you need to make sure the formwork you’re going to use for a project has the ability to accommodate the amount of concrete you’re going to pour, the temperature of the concrete, etc. Factors such as soil conditions should also be considered when assessing the design of forms.
3. Carefully inspect formwork before it’s used.
A bottom-up inspection should be conducted to make sure no areas of the formwork are damaged, warped, or otherwise compromised. Condition of formwork must be properly assessed to guarantee a safe and successful load transfer.
4. Check ladders, scaffolds, ramps, and other accessories.
They should be in good condition and capable of serving their purposes without any issues. If any accessories are damaged, it’s best to replace them before formwork is used.
5. Clear out room for passageways.
While formwork is being used, there should be safe passageways that allow crew members to get to and from where they need to go. These passageways should remain unobstructed and decluttered while formwork is being installed, is being used, and is being uninstalled.
6. Guard any floor openings or peripheral edges.
This will help prevent falls and reduce hazards to crew members.
7. Make sure there’s enough space for workers.
Workers should not be cramped during installation, use, or removal of formwork. They should have ample room to safely perform their jobs.
8. Properly train crew members to use formwork.
This is one of the top things you can do to ensure safety. Employees should be well-trained in how to use the formwork and trained to be aware of any safety hazards associated with the use of particular kinds of formwork. They should also be provided with proper safety gear and be trained to know what type of gear they should wear.
9. Examine rigging inserts.
They should be in good condition as well as installed properly and positioned accurately.
10. Pay special attention to props.
They should be inspected to ensure that they are equipped to support required loads. All defective props should be removed, and all props that you use should be aligned vertically, rested on bearing plates, and situated on hard, supportive structures.
11. Remove formwork carefully.
It should be removed according to pre-established procedures. Construction loads should not be placed on newly cast beams or slabs during removal.
Safety protocol may differ on a case-by-case basis depending on the needs of the project and the type of formwork you’re using, but the checklist offers general recommendations that should be useful in the majority of formwork applications.
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