FORMWORK

ADVISORY STANDARD

1999
 Formwork Advisory Standard 1999
Workplace Health & Safety
Impo
rtant information about this Standard
1. It replaces the Workplace Health and Safety (Formwork) Advisory Standard 1996
(repealed on 1 September 1999.
2. Was made on 2 August 1999.
3. Commences on 1 September 1999.
4. Expires on 1 September 2004.

For rther
fu details refer to Subordinate Legislation 1999 No. 190.

What is this Standard about?

The Formwork Advisory Standard 1999 states ways to plan, erect and strip formwork and
place concrete on the formwork to manage exposure to the risk of injury from the collapse of
formwork.

What is an adviso
ry standard?
An advisory standard is a document that states ways to manage exposure to a risk. If you
have a workplace health and safety obligation, and there is an advisory standard about that
risk, you can meet your obligation by adopting and following the advice in the standard.
Alternatively, you may meet your obligation by choosing another way, providing it gives the
same level of protection for the risk.

Workplace health and safety obligations and the

Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 imposes obligations on people at workplaces to
ensure workplace health and safety. Workplace health and safety is ensured when persons are
free from the risk of death, injury or illness created, by workplaces, workplace activities or
specified high risk plant.

How can l meet my obligations?

Under the Act, there are three types of instruments made to help you meet your workplace
health and safety obligations, regulations, advisory standards and industry codes of practice.
1. If there is a regulation about a risk – you must do what the regulation says.

2. If there is an advisory standard or an industry code of practice about a

risk – you must either

do what the standard or code says; or

▲ ▲

adopt another way that identifies and manages exposure to the risk and take
reasonable precautions and exercise proper diligence about the risk;

If there is no regulation, advisory standard or industry code of practice about a risk - you
must choose any appropriate way and take reasonable precautions and exercise proper
diligence to ensure you meet the obligation.
Note: Refer to the Work on Roofs Advisory Standard for specific information about fall prevention
measures for work on roofs. Refer to the Steel Construction Advisory Standard for specific information
about fall prevention measures for work in steel construction.

NOTE: Some terms used in this standard are defined in the Dictionary in Appendix 5.
 Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1

Dangers of formwork ....................................................................................................................... 1

What is formwork? .............................................................................................................................1

Using control measures ....................................................................................................................1

2. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLANS .......................................................................3

Planning formwork activities .........................................................................................................3

Workplace health and safety plans ............................................................................................3

Who must prepare a plan?............................................................................................................ 3
What is in the plan?........................................................................................................................... 3

3. CONTROL MEASURES ....................................................................................................................4

Control measures essential ..............................................................................................................4

Planning .....................................................................................................................................................5
Erection of formwork ..........................................................................................................................6
Placement of concrete.........................................................................................................................6
Stripping of formwork ........................................................................................................................7

4. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS..................................................................................................8

What is risk management? ............................................................................................................8

Hazard identification ..........................................................................................................................8

Risk assessment ......................................................................................................................................9
Risk control ............................................................................................................................................10
Monitor and review control measures....................................................................................10
Case study .............................................................................................................................................11
Hazard identification (case study) ............................................................................................11
Risk assessment (case study) ........................................................................................................11
Risk controls (case study) ...............................................................................................................11
 Contents
continued

APPENDIX 1: Formwork Assembly Checklist ............................................................................12

Planning ..........................................................................................................................12
Erection ...........................................................................................................................12
Placement of concrete .............................................................................................14
Stripping .........................................................................................................................14

APPENDIX 2: Formwork documentation and project documentation.........................15

APPENDIX 3: Risk assessment calculator ....................................................................................17

How to use the risk assessment calculator ..................................................17

APPENDIX 4: Published technical standards ............................................................................18

Australian standards ...............................................................................................18
Further information...................................................................................................18

APPENDIX 5: The Dictionary .............................................................................................................19

APPENDIX 6: Obligations ...................................................................................................................22

 1. Introduction

DANGERS OF FORMWORK
The collapse of formwork in the building and construction industry has the potential for severe
injury and can also result in death of a person.

This standard provides practical advice about ways to identify and manage the risk of a
person being injured when formwork collapses.

WHAT IS FORMWORK?
Formwork is the surface, supports and framing used to define the shape of concrete until the
concrete is self-supporting. This term includes the forms on which the concrete is poured, the
supports to withstand the loads imposed by the forms and the concrete, the bracing which
may be added to ensure stability, and the footings. The formwork structure is called the
formwork assembly. Parts of the formwork assembly are also known as falsework. Examples
of formwork include prefabricated systems such as slip form, table form and jump form.

USING CONTROL MEASURES

Control measures eliminate or reduce the potential for events such as the collapse of formwork.
When implementing control measures for erecting and dismantling formwork so that it does
not collapse, consideration should be given to:

(a) keeping the formwork documentation at the workplace;

(b) following the formwork documentation;

(c) erecting the formwork on foundations which will support the loads to be imposed on the
formwork;

(d) not erecting formwork near excavations;

(e) ensuring materials used in the erection of formwork are not defective;
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(f) securing loose material which may be dislodged as a result of inclement weather;

(g) inspecting the formwork assembly before and during the placement of concrete;

(h) not attaching equipment to the formwork assembly unless specifically designed for this
purpose;

(i) not using a stripping process, which may cause damage to the permanent structure or the
formwork.

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 2. Workplace Health
& Safety Plans
PLANNING FORMWORK ACTIVITIES
Planning for erecting and dismantling formwork is important. A workplace health and safety
plan is one of the tools used to manage erecting and dismantling formwork.

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLANS

Part 8 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 describes the requirements for
preparing a workplace health and safety plan. The contents of a workplace health and safety
plan are listed in Section 55 of the regulation. A workplace health and safety plan is required
when specified work is to be performed, or before construction work starts at a workplace.
Section 56(1) of the regulation describes what is meant by “specified work”. Construction work
is building work, civil construction work, or demolition work.

WHO MUST PREPARE A PLAN?

The persons who are required to prepare a plan are:

(a) a principal contractor at a construction workplace - for the workplace; and

(b) an employer or self-employed person carrying out formwork activities - for the work.

WHAT IS IN THE PLAN?

A workplace health and safety plan must state:

(a) the hazards to health and safety; and

(b) an assessment of the risks which may result because of the hazards; and
(c) the control measures to be used to prevent or minimise the level of the risks; and
(d) how the control measures are to be monitored and reviewed; and
(e) how and to whom additional hazards are to be reported.

This advisory standard may be used to help persons identify what control measures need to be
written into their plan where a risk of injury from the collapse of formwork has been identified.
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 3. Control
measures

CONTROL MEASURES ESSENTIAL

Formwork operations should not start unless control measures are in place.

Control measures to prevent the risk of injury resulting from formwork collapse can be
organised under four areas according to the stage of formwork operations. A checklist for
each stage of the formwork operation is included in Appendix 1.

Planning Erection of formwork

Placement of concrete Stripping of formwork

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PLANNING
(a) Erection, adjustment of formwork, placement of concrete and dismantling of formwork
should be carried out according to the formwork documentation. Formwork documentation
includes all drawings, specifications, brochures and associated documents that describe
the formwork assembly to be erected. The details about what should be included in project
and formwork documentation is shown in Appendix 2.

(b) The formwork documentation should be available for inspection at the workplace by
anybody involved in the formwork process and should be presented in a way that is easily
understood by persons erecting the formwork assembly.

(c) The erection of the formwork should not be altered from the formwork documentation
unless the formwork designer has been consulted and has approved the changes and an
amended formwork documentation has been prepared.

(d) Formwork should be designed by a qualified person in accordance with AS 3610 -

Formwork for Concrete. An example of a qualified person is a person who holds a Degree
in Engineering or a person who has successfully completed the formwork design component
of an Associate Diploma Applied Science (Building) or a Degree in Building or equivalent.

(e) Formwork should be erected and dismantled by persons who have received training in the
particular system of formwork being used.

(f) If a crane or hoist is required to lift formwork materials, operators of this plant must be
certified to work in a prescribed occupation.

(g) Any person in the area where formwork operations are being carried out should wear
suitable personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear, industrial safety helmets,
and hearing protection.

(h) Lighting should be provided where natural light is insufficient to allow work to proceed
safely. When relying on artificial lighting, multiple light sources should be used to prevent
glare or shadow problems.

(i) Control measures should be put in place to prevent mobile plant and vehicles from coming
in contact with the erected formwork by using measures such as barricades, signs, posts
and buffer rails, concrete or timber kerbs.

(j) The project should be planned so as to avoid the necessity of excavating service trenches
under, through or adjacent to any formwork system.
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ERECTION OF FORMWORK
(a) Formwork should be assembled in accordance with AS 3610 - Formwork for Concrete
and the formwork documentation.

(b) Any defects to formwork components and materials such as joist, bearers, plywood,
support frames, and jacks should be reported to the formwork contractor.

(c) Precautions should be taken to prevent dislodgment of any part of formwork (eg sole
boards) due to water causeway or run off that could affect ground conditions.

(d) All loose material that can be dislodged by wind, storms etc should be made secure
before leaving the work area.

(e) The area where formwork is to be erected should be free of any obstructions. Ground
conditions should be checked and made stable (eg. checking of previously filled trenches).

PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE
(a) An inspection should be carried out prior to the placement of concrete to ensure the
formwork assembly complies with the formwork documentation.

(b) There should be continuous supervision of the formwork assembly by a spotter. Examples
of where spotters could be placed include:

at the bottom of wall forms;

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in the vicinity below a deck being poured; or

on walls forms (eg lift and stair
▲

shafts, dams, silos).

(c) A system of communication should be

put in place between the formwork
supervising personnel and the concrete
placing crews in case an emergency
should arise.

(d) Only persons who have received

training in this work should do
placement of concrete. This is to ensure
uniform placement of concrete and
overloading does not occur.
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(e) The placement of concrete should be on the inboard part of any formwork before
proceeding to a cantilever section to maintain stability of the forms.

(f) Hoisting, pumping and other equipment should not be attached to the formwork assembly
unless specifically designed for the purpose.

STRIPPING OF FORMWORK
(a) Persons who have received training in the work being done should carry out stripping of
formwork, in accordance with AS 3610 - Formwork for Concrete.

(b) Stripping of formwork should comply with the formwork documentation and be carried out
in a manner that ensures the gradual transfer of the load from the formwork or the
supports to the permanent structure.

(c) Drop stripping should not be carried out as it may result in injury to persons in the
formwork area and damage to the permanent structure or the formwork.

(d) Any back propping used should be checked after post-tensioning has been carried out.
This is because post-tensioning may loosen props and also cause them to be overloaded.
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 4. Risk management
process

WHAT IS RISK MANAGEMENT?

Risk management is the process of finding out what can cause an injury (formwork collapse)
deciding what could happen as a result (injury to persons at or near a workplace), and doing
something about it.

The steps of risk management are:

(a) identify the hazards to workplace health and safety arising from formwork activities;
(b) assess the risks;
(c) determine and implement control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks; and
(d) monitor and review the effectiveness of the control measures.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Prior to commencing work, all hazards related to the collapse of formwork should be identified.
There are a number of ways to identify potential sources of injury. The selection of the
appropriate procedure(s) will depend on the type of work processes and hazards involved.
Methods of identifying hazards include:

Consultation with worker/s is one of the easiest and most effective means of
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identifying hazards. Workers are usually aware of what can go wrong and why,
based on their experience with a job.
Specialist practitioners and representatives of industry associations, unions and
▲

government bodies may be of assistance in gathering health and safety information

relevant to formwork collapse.
Workplace injury and incident records should be used to identify hazards.
▲

Examples of construction activities and situations which may contribute to the risk of injury
from formwork collapse include:
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(a) building formwork on inadequate foundations;

(b) failure to install or failure to correctly install formwork components;

(c) using defective formwork components;

(d) inadequate bracing and ties;

(e) mobile plant and vehicles coming in contact with formwork;

(f) overloading of formwork;

(g) poor on-site training and supervision;

(h) unsafe work practices (eg drop stripping); and

(i) incorrect or too rapid placement of concrete.

RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk assessment allows appropriate control measures to be developed. Once hazards have
been identified, they should be assessed in terms of their potential to do harm. To assess risk,
consideration should be given to:

(a) probability (the likelihood that harm will occur); and

(b) consequence (how severe the injury could be).

Various techniques can be used to carry out a risk assessment. The Risk Assessment Calculator
is an example of one technique, which can be used to assess risk. Additional information on
how to use the Risk Assessment Calculator is included in Appendix 3.

Factors to consider when assessing the probability and consequence of the risk include:

(a) method of erecting and dismantling the formwork;

(b) competency of employees;

(c) weather conditions;

(d) materials to be manually handled;

(e) materials to be mechanically handled;

(f) specific site instructions to employees;

(g) extent of supervision available;

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(h) loading of the formwork deck with other than formwork materials;

(i) number of people who may be exposed;

(j) type of work to be carried out;

(k) work practices in use;

(l) scheduling of work; and

(m) type of plant, machinery and equipment to be used.

RISK CONTROL
Risk control is the process of eliminating or reducing the risk factors. Control measures should
be chosen and implemented to eliminate or reduce the risks as far as possible. When deciding
on the most appropriate measures to use, practicability and acceptance of the control
measures should be considered.

The following control measures are listed in order of the most effective way of managing the
risk of injury from formwork collapse:

(a) Eliminate the hazard for example discontinue the activity or not use the plant

(b) Minimise the risk, for example by:

substituting the system of work or plant

▲ ▲

modifying the system of work or plant

isolating the hazard
▲

introducing engineering control

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(c) Provide ‘back-up’ controls, for example by:

adopting administrative controls and safe work practices

▲

using personal protective equipment

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MONITOR AND REVIEW CONTROL MEASURES

The risk identification, assessment and control process requires regular monitoring to ensure
the implemented control measures perform as originally intended and continue to prevent or
adequately control the risk of injury from formwork collapse. Control measures should also be
checked carefully to ensure that they do not create new hazards, directly or indirectly. A
written record, which details when control measures were reviewed, should be kept.
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Do the following:

(a) When the work situation changes from what you had planned, repeat the risk assessment
for that part of the work which has changed, ie. go back to and reassess the risk.

(b) Tell the workers about how the work should be done to effectively manage the risk.

(c) Consider the potential for fatal or serious injury and where this potential exists, control
these risks as a priority.

Control measures should also be checked carefully to ensure that they do not create new
hazards, directly or indirectly. A written record, which details when control measures were
reviewed, should be kept.

CASE STUDY
Formwork for beams and suspended floors is erected on compacted sloping ground.
Rain is predicted prior to the pouring of the concrete.

Hazard Identification (Case Study)

The hazard arises from unstable foundations as a result of washouts at the location of the sole
plates.

Risk Assessment (Case Study)

The Risk Assessment Calculator has been used to assess the risk. Consideration was given to
the following factors:

(a) It is very likely that formwork collapse will result from rainwater running down the sloped
ground and destabilising the sole plates.

(b) The possible consequence from collapse of formwork may be a serious injury if a worker
falls from the formwork or is struck by formwork components.

The Risk Assessment Calculator indicates that this hazard should be given a high priority.

Further information on how to use the Risk Assessment Calculator is shown in Appendix 3.

Risk Controls (Case Study)

The control measure to be implemented is digging shallow drains on the upper slope to divert
any likely watercourse.
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 Appendix 1: Formwork
Assembly Checklist

PLANNING
When planning formwork assembly, ask the following questions:
▲

(a) Is the formwork documentation provided in an easily understood format?

(b) Has the formwork designer approved the changes and has the formwork
documentation been amended?

(c) Have workers received proper instruction and training in work methods?

(d) Are plant operators certificated to work in a prescribed occupation?

(e) Are workers correctly attired/dressed?

(f) Is lighting of the work area adequate?

(g) Has external protection been considered (ie. screens/scaffolding)?

(h) Have measures been taken to prevent mobile plant from hitting formwork?

ERECTION
Is the formwork assembly free from defects? If so consider:
▲

(a) excessive wear to materials;

(b) defects in timber (excessive knots, cracks, grain defects, saw cuts);

(c) deformed, bent or dented equipment, square cuts to props, cracked welds;

(d) identifying and regrading of timbers.

Have any defects in the formwork assembly been reported to the formwork contractor?
▲

Is the area free of obstructions?

▲

Have ground conditions been checked?

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 Is the formwork assembly erected in accordance with formwork documentation? If so
▲

consider:

(a) formwork components consistent with specifications;

(b) adequate foundations;

(c) spacing of formwork components such as frames, bearers, joists, props, ties, braces etc;

(d) correct assembly of frames;

(e) frames should be plumb unless otherwise indicated;

(f) ensuring frames are sitting in the base jack and ‘U’ head nut recess;

(g) diagonal braces are installed to frames;

(h) plan bracing;

(i) tying of frames when greater than 2 frames in height;

(j) using base jacks or base plates;

(k) provision of sole plates;

(l) ensuring base plates have full bearing on sole plate/foundation;

(m) inclined or unbraced props are securely tied (eg to a secured and stable structure);

(n) props are not joined prop-on-prop;

(o) bearers are positioned over centre of ‘U’ heads;

(p) using wedges for sloping surfaces;

(q) edges of ply are supported;

(r) correct pins used in props and frames;

(s) check formwork assembly has been levelled and is within tolerances specified in the
formwork documentation; and

(t) the need for anchor points at the base of the formwork assembly.

Have precautions been taken against water erosion, eg. the installation of drains or
▲

trenches?

Have precautions been taken to prevent dislodgment of formwork assembly in high winds?
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PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE
(a) Has the formwork been inspected prior to placement of concrete? In particular, are
fittings tight and unlikely to become loose when concrete is vibrated?

(b) Have spotters been positioned?

(c) Is there a system of communication in place?

(d) Are workers trained in the placement of concrete?

(e) Are all workers aware of maximum pour rates (especially vertical pour rates)?

STRIPPING
Have workers been trained in formwork stripping?
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Are stripping procedures in place? If so consider:

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(a) are barricades/warning signs erected to create an exclusion zone;

(b) the minimum stripping times to be observed;

(c) is stripping carried out in a systematic manner;

(d) housekeeping (removal of nails from timber, rubbish removal etc);

(e) stacking of stripped formwork assembly prior to relocation;

(f) is reshoring/backpropping installed as per formwork documentation. Input must be

provided by the engineer to the formwork designer; and

(g) has back-propping been checked after post-tensioning?

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 Appendix 2:
Formwork documentation
and project documentation

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE FORMWORK

DOCUMENTATION:

(a) plans, elevations and sections to show the general arrangement of the formwork and to
identify and locate all members and components including bracing;

(b) details sufficient to fully describe important or unusual features of the design;

(c) reference to documentation for proprietary items;

(d) the areas of the forms designed to carry stacked loads;

(e) requirements of the project documentation relating to formwork;

(f) method of provision for field adjustment of the forms prior to and during concrete placement;

(g) where required, location of weep holes, vibrator holes, clean-out holes and inspection
openings;

(h) sequence of concrete placement and minimum elapsed time between adjacent placements;

(i) wrecking strips and other details relating to stripping of the forms;

(j) design assumptions including those related to strength, stability and stiffness;

(k) footing design assumptions such as foundation material description, safe bearing value,
limitations on settlement during erection of formwork, placement of concrete and
dismantling of formwork. Reference to information sources such as geotechnical reports
should also be included;

(l) preparation of the foundation, such as filling, compaction and drainage;

(m) footing details, such as type and size of footings, level of soffit, concrete strength,
reinforcement, specification and details of site filling or compaction, and precautions
against washouts;
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(n) engineer certification of non-proprietary equipment; and

(o) vertical pour rates.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE PROJECT

DOCUMENTATION:

(a) minimum stripping times and stripping procedures;

(b) any limitations on the magnitude and location of stacked materials and minimum strength
of concrete to be achieved prior to materials being stacked;

(c) requirements for the minimum number of levels of supports relative to the type of
formwork, timing and sequence of its use, the anticipated time between construction of
subsequent floors and the expected ambient temperature for multistorey structures;

(d) limitations on the use of the permanent structure for the restraint of formwork;

(e) details of and information on the effect of post-tensioning procedures on the formwork
and any special procedures to be adopted in the stripping of formwork;

(f) location of any mandatory joints and any special procedures for locating other joints;

(g) sequence of placement of concrete;

(h) requirements for propping of any composite construction;

(i) details of the cambering of any slabs or beams;

(j) design loads for the permanent structure;

(k) details of any inserts, waterstops, specially formed shapes or penetrations to be

constructed, the location and details of which are critical to the serviceability of the
permanent structure;

(l) any known information about the foundation which is relevant to the design of the footings
for the formwork assembly;

(m) information about any permanent formwork systems, together with any limitations on
deflections and any special requirements for their erection and concreting;

(n) information on any architectural details to be cast into the structural concrete.
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 Appendix 3: Risk
Assessment Calculator

HOW TO USE THE RISK ASSESSMENT CALCULATOR

The Risk Assessment Calculator is one technique, which can be used to undertake a risk assessment.
The Risk Assessment Calculator is intended as a rapid guide to identify the level of risk.

To use the Risk Assessment Calculator:

(a) Select the appropriate point on the probability scale.

(b) Select the appropriate point on the exposure scale.

(c) Draw a line between the points chosen on the probability and exposure scales. Extend
the line so that it intersects with the tie line.

(d) Select the appropriate point on the possible consequences scale.

(e) Draw a line from the point on the tie line to the point on the possible consequences line.
Extend the line to the risk score scale.

The risk score obtained can then be used to make a judgement about whether the level of risk
is acceptable or not. However, the risk score should only be used as a basis for reasoned
judgement about a risk. It should be interpreted with caution, as it has certain limitations, for
example, it is not possible to
TIE LINE
describe complex human
PROBABILITY RISK SCORE
behaviour by numerical EXPOSURE POSSIBLE
CONSEQUENCES
ALMOST
means. CERTAIN
NUMEROUS
VERY HIGH
RISK
VERY RARE CATASTROPHE
FATALITIES
VERY HIGH RISK
RARE
If the score falls between LIKELY MULTIPLE
FATALITIES
DISASTER
SUBSTANTIAL
INFREQUENT
UNUSUAL RISK
very high risk and risk BUT POSSIBLE
OCCASIONAL
FATALITY VERY SERIOUS
MODERATE
SERIOUS SERIOUS RISK
perhaps acceptable, the risk REMOTELY
POSSIBLE
FREQUENT INJURY

CASUALTY IMPORTANT
CONTINUOUS
TREATMENT
should be reduced to the CONCEIVABLE BUT
VERY UNLIKELY FIRST AID RISK PERHAPS
NOTICEABLE
TREATMENT ACCEPTABLE
lowest level that is possible. PRACTICALLY
IMPOSSIBLE
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 Appendix 4: Published
Technical Standards

Australian Standards
AS 1170 Minimum design loads on structures (known as the SAA Loading Code)

AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding

AS/NZS 1664 Aluminium structures

AS 1720 Timber structures

AS 2082 Visually stress-graded hardwood for structural purposes

AS/NZS 2269 Plywood-Structural

AS 2858 Timber-Softwood-Visually stress-graded for structural purposes

AS 3610 Formwork for Concrete

AS 4100 Steel structures

AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding

Further Information

A good practical reference on formwork is the book by Peter S McAdam titled “Formwork: a
practical approach” (1993) published by Stuart Publications, Brisbane.
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 Appendix 5:
The Dictionary
For the purpose of this advisory standard the following definitions apply.

“building and construction industry” means:

(a) that part of industry involved in the construction, erection, installation, addition
to, alteration, repair, maintenance, cleaning, painting, renewal, removal,
dismantling or demolition of a building or other structure: or
(b) the digging or filling of a structure: or
(c) concreting, bricklaying or tiling; or
(d) any part of industry involved in activities normally regarded as building or
construction.
“building work” means work to erect, construct, extend or structurally alter a building or
part of a building if the estimated final price at practical completion is more than
$40 000 or, if a greater amount is prescribed under a regulation, the greater
amount. Building work does not include the construction of a mobile home or
prefabricated building:
(a) if the construction is done at the workplace where the home or building is
manufactured; and
(b) the home or building is intended to be transported to another place outside the
workplace.
“construction work” is “building work”, “civil construction work” or “demolition work”.

“civil construction work” means work to:

(a) construct a road or highway or erect associated works; or
(b) construct a railway or erect associated works; or
(c) construct or erect a harbour or associated works; or
(d) construct or erect a water storage or supply system or associated works; or
(e) construct a sewerage or drainage system or associated works; or
(f) construct or erect an electricity or gas generation, transmission or distribution
structure or associated works; or
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 (g) construct a park or recreation ground, including, for example, a golf course,
playing field, racecourse or swimming pool or associated works; or
(h) erect a telecommunications structure or associated works; or
(i) construct production, storage and distribution facilities for heavy industry,
refineries, pumping stations, or mines or associated works; or
(j) construct or structurally alter a bridge or associated works;
if the estimated final price of the work at practical completion is more than
$40 000 or another amount prescribed by regulation.

“demolition work” means work to demolish or dismantle systematically a building or

other structure, or part of a building or other structure, but does not include the
systematic dismantling of a part of a building or other structure for alteration,
maintenance, remodelling or repair.

“employer” is a person who, in the course of the person’s business or undertaking, engages
someone else to do work, other than under a contract for service, for or at the
direction of the person. For an apprentice or trainee who is employed by a group
training scheme, the employer is:
(a) when the apprentice or trainee is engaged to do work for a host employer, the
host employer; or
(b) otherwise, the group training scheme.

“hazard” means a source or potential source of injury or disease.

“personal protective equipment” includes clothing, equipment and substances

designed:
(a) to be worn by a person; and
(b) to protect the person from risks of injury or illness;

“plant” includes:
(a) machinery, equipment, appliance, pressure vessel, implement and tool; and
(b) personal protective equipment; and
(c) a component of plant and a fitting, connection, accessory or adjunct to plant.

“risk” means risk of death, injury or illness.

“self-employed person” means a person who:

(a) performs work for gain or reward; and
(b) is not an employer or worker.
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“specified work” means:
(a) construction work; or
(b) the type of work that is construction work (regardless of the estimated final
price of the work) done by someone who, when doing the work, can fall:
for residential construction work-more than 3.0m; or
for other construction work - 2.4m or more; or
(c) excavating, if the excavation is to a depth of at least 1.5m; or
(d) removing, sealing, or inspecting for, asbestos.

“workplace health and safety plan” is a plan prepared for a workplace or work that
states the following:
(a) the hazards to health or safety that the person required to have the plan
prepared knows, or ought reasonably to know, currently exist or might arise:
(i) if the plan is for a workplace - at the workplace; or
(ii) if the plan is for work - relating to the work;
(b) the person’s assessment of the risks that may result because of the hazards;
(c) the control measures the person proposes to use to prevent, or minimise the
level of, the risks;
(d) how the person proposes to monitor and review the implementation and
effectiveness of the measures;
(e) how and to whom additional hazards are to be reported.
A workplace health and safety plan must also state:
(a) the name and address of the person required to have the plan prepared; and
(b) the additional things required:
(i) for a principal contractor’s plan for a workplace - under section 58 of the
Workplace Health
and Safety Regulation 1997.
(ii) for an employer’s or self-employed person’s plan for specified work -
under section 62 of the
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997.
A workplace health and safety plan must be written in a way likely to be understood easily by
the persons entitled under the regulation to a copy of the plan or part of the plan.

A workplace health and safety plan must be dated and signed by or for the person required to
have the plan.
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 Appendix 6:
Obligations

OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND OTHERS

(Part 3 - Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 Division 2 and Division 3)

Obligations of employers
Section 28(1) An employer has an obligation to ensure the workplace health and safety of
each employer’s workers at work.

(2) Also, an employer has an obligation to ensure his or her own workplace health and safety
and the workplace health and safety of others is not affected by the way the employer
conducts the employer’s undertaking.

Obligations of self-employed persons

Section 29 A self-employed person has an obligation to ensure his or her own workplace
health and safety and the workplace health and safety of others is not affected by the way the
person conducts the person’s undertaking.

Obligations of principal contractors

Section 31(1) A principal contractor has the following obligations for a construction workplace:

(a) to ensure the orderly conduct of all work at the construction workplace to the extent
necessary to:

(i) ensure workplace health and safety at the workplace; and

(ii) assist the discharge of workplace health and safety obligations of an employer or self-
employed person;

(b) to ensure that persons at the workplace are not exposed to risks from:

(i) something that has been provided for the general use of persons at the workplace for
which no other person owes a workplace health and safety obligation; or
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 (ii) a hazard at the workplace for which no other person owes a workplace health and
safety obligation;

(c) to ensure that workplace activities at the workplace are safe and without risk of injury or
illness to members of the public at or near the workplace.

(d) to provide safeguards and take safety measures prescribed under a regulation made for
principal contractors.

(2) In addition, the principal contractor has the obligation mentioned in subsection (3) if the
principal contractor reasonably believes, or should reasonably believe:

(a) an employer at the workplace is not discharging the employer’s workplace health and
safety obligation; or

(b) a self-employed person at the workplace is not discharging the person’s workplace health
and safety obligation.

(3) The principal contractor must:

(a) direct the employer or self-employed person to comply with the employer’s or self-
employed person’s workplace health and safety obligations; and

(b) if the employer or self-employed person fails to comply with the direction, direct the
employer or self-employed person to stop work until the employer or self-employed person
agrees to comply with the obligation.

Obligations of Workers and Other Persons at a Workplace

Section 36 A worker or anyone else at a workplace has the following obligations at a
workplace:

(a) to comply with the instructions given for workplace health and safety at the workplace by
the employer and, if the workplace is a construction workplace, by the principal contractor.

(b) for a worker - to use personal protective equipment if the equipment is provided by the
workers’ employer and the worker is properly instructed in its use.

(c) not to wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for workplace health
and safety at the workplace.

(d) not to wilfully place at risk the workplace health and safety of any person at the workplace.

(e) not to wilfully injure himself or herself.

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FORMWORK
ADVISORY STANDARD

V 2 7/99