Concrete Slab Pouring
Pouring, placing, and finishing concrete slabs including pump operations, screeding, floating, trowelling, and curing. Covers residential and commercial slab work in accordance with AS 3600 and AS 1379. Companion template to Formwork Construction. Pre-filled hazards, controls, and risk ratings.
What's In Your SWMS
8 Hazards & Controls
Chemical burns, skin ulceration, permanent scarring, infection
Keep concrete splashes contained within formwork where possible
- Ensure adequate water supply for immediate skin washing
- Eye wash station on site
- Pump hose positioned to minimise splashing
- Wash any skin contact immediately with clean water for minimum 20 minutes
- Do not kneel in concrete or allow it to enter boots
- Remove contaminated clothing immediately
- Check skin regularly for redness or irritation
- No bare skin contact with wet concrete at any time
- Toolbox talk on concrete burn risks before pour
Alkali-resistant gloves (nitrile/butyl), waterproof boots, long sleeves and pants, safety glasses
18-Step Work Procedure
Equipment & PPE
Equipment (14)
- Concrete pump (boom or line pump)
Operated by licensed pump operator. Establish exclusion zones.
- Concrete vibrator (poker/immersion type)
For compacting concrete and removing air voids
- Screed board or straightedge (aluminium)
For levelling concrete to formwork height. Various lengths.
- Bull float with extension handles
For initial surface finishing after screeding
PPE (9)
- Alkali-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber)AS/NZS 2161.2
Essential - wet concrete pH 12-13 causes chemical burns. Replace if torn.
- Waterproof rubber boots (gumboots)AS/NZS 2210.3
Essential - prevent concrete entering footwear. High ankle coverage.
- Safety glasses or gogglesAS/NZS 1337
Essential - concrete splashes cause severe eye irritation and burns
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirt
Minimise skin exposure. Tuck sleeves into gloves.
Training & Emergency
Competency Requirements
- Construction Induction Card (White Card)training
Required for all workers on construction sites
- Concreting Competencycertificate
Experience in concrete placing and finishing. May hold Certificate III in Concreting.
- Concrete Pump Operator Licencelicence
Pump operator must hold appropriate licence for boom pump operation
- Formwork Inspection Competencycertificate
Person signing off formwork must be competent to do so
- Silica Awareness Trainingtraining
All workers must be aware of silica hazards and controls
- First Aid Certificate
Recommended for at least one team member on site
- Traffic Control Training
Required if concrete trucks accessing public roads or traffic management needed
Emergency Procedures
CONCRETE BURN: Wash affected area with clean water for minimum 20 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing (cut off if stuck). Cover with clean sterile dressing. Seek medical attention - burns may be deeper than they appear.
CONCRETE IN EYES: Immediately irrigate with clean water for minimum 20 minutes. Hold eyelids open. Do not rub. Cover eye with clean dressing. Seek immediate medical attention.
PUMP BOOM INCIDENT: Call 000 immediately. Do not move injured person unless immediate danger. Secure pump controls. Clear area of non-essential personnel.
- + 2 more included in your SWMS
Everything above, included in your SWMS document.
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High-Risk Construction Work Categories
Under Australian WHS Regulations (291 - High Risk Construction Work), this work is classified as high-risk due to:
- Concrete pumping operations (Concrete pump boom operations require exclusion zones and dedicated communication with operator)
- Loading of formwork during concrete pour (Risk of formwork collapse if design loading exceeded. Competent person inspection required before pour.)
- Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (Generated during power floating, trowelling, and cutting operations. WES 0.05 mg/m³.)
Australian Standards Referenced
Who Needs This SWMS?
This template is designed for the following trades and roles performing concrete slab pouring work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is wet concrete dangerous?
Wet concrete has a pH of 12-13 (highly alkaline) due to calcium hydroxide. This can cause severe chemical burns that may not be immediately painful. Burns can progress to third-degree within 2 hours of skin contact. Always wear alkali-resistant gloves, waterproof boots, and long clothing.
What is the exclusion zone for a concrete pump boom?
The exclusion zone covers the entire area under and around the moving boom, extending to the maximum boom reach at all heights. Only essential personnel wearing hard hats and high-vis clothing should be within this zone, and only when necessary for the pour.
What should I do if concrete gets in my eyes?
Immediately irrigate with clean water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Hold eyelids open during irrigation. Do not rub your eyes. Cover with a clean sterile dressing and seek immediate medical attention. Concrete in eyes is a medical emergency.
Why is silica dust a hazard during concrete work?
Concrete contains crystalline silica. When dry finishing operations (power floating, cutting, grinding) generate dust, workers can inhale respirable silica particles. Long-term exposure causes silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. Use wet methods and respiratory protection.
What is the maximum concrete temperature for placement?
AS 1379 specifies a maximum concrete temperature of 35°C for field placement. Higher temperatures accelerate setting, reduce workability, and can cause cracking. In hot weather, schedule pours for early morning or request retarder admixture.
How long should concrete cure before foot traffic?
Concrete should cure for minimum 7 days under Australian conditions. Foot traffic should be excluded for at least 3-5 days or until minimum strength is reached. Apply curing compound or membrane immediately after finishing.
What PPE is required for concrete pouring?
Essential PPE includes alkali-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), waterproof boots with high ankle coverage, safety glasses, long pants and long-sleeved shirt, high-vis vest, and hard hat in pump zones. Add P2 respirator for power floating/cutting.
What formwork checks are required before a pour?
A competent person must inspect and sign off formwork before concrete is ordered. Checks include: formwork to design specifications, bracing secure, bearing surface stable, all connections tight, no damage or warping, reinforcement correctly positioned.
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