CODE OF PRACTICE 
          FORMWORK 
           
                   
                   
                   
                   
              Contents 
                  Contents .............................................................................................................................. 2 
                  Foreword ............................................................................................................................. 5 
                  1.  Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7 
                      1.1.     Purpose ............................................................................................................... 7 
                      1.2.     Who should use the Code? ................................................................................. 8 
                      1.3.     Who has duties under the law? ........................................................................... 8 
                      1.4.     How can formwork and falsework risks be managed? ......................................... 8 
                      1.5.     Consultation and communication ....................................................................... 10 
                  2.  Planning formwork and falsework ............................................................................. 11 
                      2.1.     Designer of formwork structure .......................................................................... 11 
                      2.2.     The designer’s safety report .............................................................................. 12 
                      2.3.     Planning by the principal contractor ................................................................... 13 
                      2.4.     Planning by the formwork contractor ................................................................. 14 
                      2.5.     Preparation ........................................................................................................ 15 
                      2.6.     Conventional / modular systems ........................................................................ 15 
                      2.7.     Slip and jump form ............................................................................................ 16 
                      2.8.     Loading ............................................................................................................. 17 
                      2.9.     Plant design ...................................................................................................... 17 
                      2.10.    Formwork modification ...................................................................................... 18 
                  3.  The system of work ..................................................................................................... 19 
                      3.1.     Information, instruction and training ................................................................... 19 
                      3.2.     Safe work method statement ............................................................................. 20 
                      3.3.     Emergency plan ................................................................................................ 20 
                      3.4.     Developing emergency procedures for jump forms or slip forms ....................... 21 
                  4.  Types of formwork ...................................................................................................... 22 
                      4.1.     Conventional formwork systems ........................................................................ 22 
                      4.2.     Modular formwork systems ................................................................................ 22 
                      4.3.     Shoring / falsework (scaffold) ............................................................................ 22 
                      4.4.     Slip and jump forms ........................................................................................... 23 
                      4.5.     Travelling forms ................................................................................................. 24 
                  5.  Common hazards and controls .................................................................................. 26 
                      5.1.     Ground conditions ............................................................................................. 26 
                      5.2.     Adjacent buildings or structures ......................................................................... 26 
                      5.3.     Collapse ............................................................................................................ 26 
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                      5.4.     Electrical power lines ......................................................................................... 27 
                      5.5.     Access and egress ............................................................................................ 27 
                      5.6.     Working areas for following trades..................................................................... 28 
                      5.7.     Falling objects ................................................................................................... 28 
                      5.8.     Lifting plant and materials .................................................................................. 29 
                      5.9.     Lifting points ...................................................................................................... 30 
                      5.10.    Mixing components ........................................................................................... 30 
                      5.11.    Plant and collision ............................................................................................. 30 
                  6.  Falls .............................................................................................................................. 32 
                      6.1.     Fall protection from the formwork deck .............................................................. 32 
                      6.2.     Perimeter protection screens ............................................................................. 33 
                      6.3.     Scaffolding ........................................................................................................ 34 
                      6.4.     Guardrails and handrails ................................................................................... 34 
                      6.5.     Falls through penetrations ................................................................................. 35 
                      6.6.     Falls from ladders .............................................................................................. 36 
                  7.  Erecting, altering and dismantling formwork and falsework ................................... 37 
                      7.1.     Foundations and footings .................................................................................. 37 
                      7.2.     Conventional and modular formwork systems ................................................... 37 
                      7.3.     Wall and column forms ...................................................................................... 37 
                      7.4.     Trailing access system ...................................................................................... 38 
                      7.5.     Wall and column shutters .................................................................................. 38 
                      7.6.     Wall and column form access ............................................................................ 38 
                      7.7.     Erecting formwork frames .................................................................................. 39 
                      7.8.     Formwork false decks ........................................................................................ 39 
                      7.9.     Intermediate work deck ..................................................................................... 40 
                      7.10.    Installing bearers ............................................................................................... 41 
                      7.11.    Installing joists ................................................................................................... 42 
                      7.12.    Laying out form-ply on the deck ......................................................................... 42 
                      7.13.    Cantilevers ........................................................................................................ 43 
                      7.14.    Changing floor levels ......................................................................................... 44 
                      7.15.    Pre-pour inspection and certification .................................................................. 44 
                      7.16.    Altering formwork and falsework ........................................................................ 44 
                      7.17.    Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 45 
                      7.18.    Concrete placement .......................................................................................... 45 
                      7.19.    Pre-stripping authorisation ................................................................................. 45 
                      7.20.    Stripping formwork ............................................................................................ 46 
                  8.  Slip and jump forms .................................................................................................... 48 
                      8.1.     Entry and exit .................................................................................................... 48 
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                      8.2.     Trailing screens and platforms ........................................................................... 49 
                      8.3.     Climbing the form .............................................................................................. 49 
                  Appendix A – Glossary ..................................................................................................... 51 
                   
                                                     
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