GUIDE TO FORMWORK

This Guide provides information on designing, erecting, using and dismantling formwork.
It is part of a series of guides for formwork and falsework that includes the:

General guide for formwork and falsework

Guide to slip, jump and travelling formwork systems
Guide to falsework, and
Information Sheet: Formwork and falsework.

Formwork
Formwork means the surface of the form and framing used to contain and shape wet
concrete until it is self-supporting.
Formwork includes the forms on or within which the concrete is poured and the frames
and bracing which provide stability. Although commonly referred to as part of the
formwork assembly, the joists, bearers, bracing, foundations and footings are technically
referred to as falsework.
Further information is in the Guide to falsework.
Formwork construction may involve high risk activities like operating powered mobile
plant like cranes, working at height and excavating foundations.

Safe work method statements (SWMS)

If the work involves high risk construction work, a SWMS must be developed in
consultation with workers and their representatives who are carrying out the high risk
construction work as defined under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.
Further information on high risk construction work, SWMS and a SWMS template is
in the Code of Practice: Construction work.

Design
The design of the final concrete structure can have a major effect on the ease of
formwork construction and the health and safety of people during construction.
Generally the more basic and simple the final concrete structure, the safer it is to
construct, erect and dismantle the formwork.
An experienced formwork designer should be consulted during the design of in-situ
concrete structures to enable the health and safety risks during formwork construction
and dismantling to be considered in the design.
The formwork designer must be competent in formwork design including documenting
temporary work platforms and special equipment needed for safe formwork
construction on-site.
A designer may use a technical standard or a combination of standards and engineering
principles relevant to the design requirements as long as the outcome is a design that
meets regulatory requirements.
Formwork should be:

rigid, watertight, braced and tied together to maintain position and shape during
construction , and

able to be removed easily and safely without damaging the formed concrete, or have
components that remain as part of the finished structure so the rest can be removed
without damaging the structure.

Safe Work Australia Contact Information

Phone 1300 551 832 | Email [email protected] | Web www.swa.gov.au

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

978-1-74361-783-0 [PDF]
978-1-74361-784-7 [DOCX]

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Formwork drawings should include details of:

formwork and formwork joints

sealing procedures
ties
size and spacing of framing
details of proprietary fittings or systems proposed to be used, and
bond breakers, if used.
The formwork designer should determine the vertical pour rates for walls, columns and other
vertical concrete elements before completing the formwork design.
Details of the construction method and erection sequence should be included on the
formwork drawings where appropriate. Where special methods like external vibration are
involved the formwork design should allow for any resulting additional structural loads.
Where formwork is to be re-used, the formwork design should ensure form strength is
retained after allowing for the deterioration of materials through use, handling and storage.
All formwork drawings should be certified as complying with applicable Australian Standards.
Components from different formwork systems should not be mixed unless a competent
person, for example an engineer, has authorised the component use. Variations to a design
of a system should be checked and verified in writing by a designer, engineer or other
competent person.

Slips, Trips and Falls

The design of the permanent structure affects the risk of injury from slips trips and falls (and
from falling objects) during formwork construction and use. While often not reasonably
practicable, permanent structure design measures that can reduce these risks include:

reducing variations in the floor depth so it has one consistent depth. Formwork decks that

are a consistent depth are easier to erect than variable depth floors and minimise the risk
of injury. Deeper beams introduce drop downs into the floor, creating trip and fall hazards
and require more work to construct and strip after pouring

beams designed to provide suitable access across the beam recess to prevent injury to
workers from stepping into the form during construction

reducing the number of columns required and where columns do exist, eliminating
capitals and dropdowns, and

reducing cantilevered floor sections.

The design of formwork systems can also reduce the risk of slips trips and falls by providing
adequate safe access and fall and falling object protection.

Manual tasks
The design of formwork systems can reduce the amount of manual handling required in
formwork activity. To reduce manual handling risks use:

precast columns and beams to minimise fixing reinforcement, erecting and stripping

column formwork and pouring concrete on site - work activities carried out in a factory
environment are generally lower risk

table or flying formsa large pre-assembled formwork and falsework unit often forming
a complete bay of suspended floor slab, and

modular formwork systems which are often lighter weight and eliminate the need for tasks
like repetitive hammering.

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Types of formwork
The safety of workers erecting, using and dismantling the formwork should be considered
when choosing a formwork system for a particular job. In particular consider stability, strength
and the risk of falls, falling objects and manual tasks. The best proprietary systems have
integrated safety features to help control the risk of falls and hazardous manual tasks.
Traditional formwork systems are typically constructed on-site from timber or plywood and
supporting elements like scaffolding.
When using a traditional system, a standard formwork frame with a known tested loading
capacity should be used wherever possible. Standard frames can minimise the risk to workers
erecting and dismantling the formwork and handling and storing materials.
Modular formwork systems are specially designed and manufactured off-site. Modular
systems usually have proprietary formwork components and rated load calculations set out by
the manufacturer and are often made from hardboard, plastics, steel and aluminium products.
Most formwork systems use two or more materials, for example plywood facing to steel
frames for wall panels.
Modular systems are often lighter weight and require less physical effort than traditional
systems. This minimises the risk of injury resulting from manual tasks. However because of
their lighter weight, modular systems may be more susceptible to falling over when erecting
the system due to factors like wind loading. Generally this will only be an issue before
placement of the formwork deck on the modular system. To effectively control this issue the
modular formwork system should be progressively braced in accordance with the suppliers
instructions during its erection.

Wall and column forms

Wall and column forms should be designed to withstand wind loading before, during and after
the concrete pour. The bracing and forms should not be removed from the cast element until
it can safely withstand potential impact loads and wind loads.
Lateral support can be provided to vertical elements in a variety of ways including horizontal
and angled braces and structural connections to other parts of the building. A bracing
element design should be completed by a competent person.
The bracing element should also be able to resist both tensile and compressive loads that
may be applied by the wind. Anchors for braces should preferably be cast-in type anchors or
through-bolts extending through both sides of the anchoring medium. Drill-in anchors of the
following type may be used provided they are installed in accordance with the manufacturers
instructions:

Undercut type anchors that do not rely on friction to function.

Expansion anchors of the high-load slip, torque controlled type. These anchors have a
working load of at least 60 percent of the first slip load and are generally suitable for
structural tensile loads.

Coil boltsthe correct operation of coil bolts is greatly dependant on them being installed
in accordance with the manufacturers specifications, for example drilling the correct size
hole and applying the correct torque in concrete.
Note: Some jurisdictions may not accept these types of installations, so check with your
WHS regulator.

Drill-in anchors should be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

They should have their torque set using a torque wrench or other reliable method to verify
the torque, for example a calibrated rattle gun. Written records verifying the setting torque
for drill-in type anchors should be available at the workplace.

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Access platforms
Suitable access should be provided for wall and column forms and may include:

mobile scaffolding
purpose built access platforms, or
elevating work platforms.
Edge protection should be provided on the access platforms. Preferred methods of entry to
platforms include stair access systems or if this is not practicable secured industrial ladders.
The entry method should allow room for a person and be positioned at a height and distance
from the form to minimise a persons effort and movement. The concrete pouring system
should permit enough space for a person to stand with edge protection provided. Where stair
access passes a formwork deck, joist or bearers should not protrude over the stairs.
Platforms should also be designed to resist loading that may be applied during a concrete
pour to ensure the platform does not collapse or overturn. They may need to be tied in or
counter weighted, particularly aluminium scaffolding which may not have the self-weight
to prevent overturning.
Mobile work platforms should have their castors locked, except when relocating the mobile
platform.

Trailing access system

The designer should ensure a trailing access system can support the loads that will be applied
to it including wind conditions and an emergency evacuation situation. Both the system itself
and the form should be able to withstand applied loads from the access system.

Lifting methods
Wall and column forms should be provided with designed lifting points. Design drawings
should confirm this. Cutting holes in the form in-situ is not recommended as this can damage
the form, be inadequate lifting points and make it difficult to safely attach lifting gear.
Wall and column forms should only be lifted with a positive lifting system, for example lifting
lugs or by slinging the lifting slings around the form so the form cannot slip out of the slings.
Purpose designed lifting lugs should be used instead of slinging the load because there is less
risk of the load becoming inadvertently disconnected from the crane hook.
Where lifting lugs are attached to the form they should be attached in accordance with
the design.

Erecting formwork frames

Formwork frames should be erected progressively to ensure the installers safety and the
stability of the overall structure.
Braces should be attached to the frames as soon as practicable and designated access ways
should be indicated by using bunting or by other means.
If side bracing or other edge protection is installed progressively on formwork frames other
control measures to prevent a fall occurring may not be required.
Many conventional formwork frames consist of diagonal braces that cross in the middle. While
these braces are not considered to be suitable edge protection for a completed formwork
deck, they may provide reasonable fall protection during frame erection. This is only the case
where braces are installed in a progressive manner as soon as the frames are installed.
As the height of formwork frames increase there is a greater need to provide lateral stability
to the frames. Ensure framing, including bracing, is carried out in accordance with on-site
design documentation and manufacturers instructions. People erecting formwork must be
trained to erect formwork using safe methods.

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The risk of internal falls while erecting frames can be controlled by fully decking each lift of the
formwork decks and false decks. This involves:

positioning a full deck of scaffolding planks or other suitable decking at each lift
positioning decking on the next lift while standing on a fully decked platform, and
leaving each lift fully decked in place until it is dismantled.
During dismantling of a lift, decking should be removed while standing on a fully decked
platform immediately below.

Formwork false decks

Where the next formwork deck would require people to stand at heights of 2 metres or more
above the finished formwork deck to install bearers and joists for the next formwork deck,
a continuous false deck, which is a full deck the same area as the floor being formed, should
be provided.
This deck should be provided both inside and between formwork frames and typically consist
of formply, scaffold planks or modular platform sections.
A protected entry opening can be left in the deck to enable materials to be lifted. Using a
captive platform system is preferable to lapped planks because a captive system cannot be
accidentally dislodged. Lapped planks may only be used if secured against uplift and slipping.
The false deck should be constructed so there are no large gaps and gaps only exist where
a vertical member of a frame passes through the deck (see Figure 1). Gaps should not exceed
225 mm in width.
FIGURE 1 Plan view of a false deck with gaps at vertical
framing members

Not more than

225 mm

A false deck should be able to support the expected load of workers and materials during
construction and people or objects that could fall onto the deck. Access should be provided
to each of the false decks.
When considering the design of the deck for erecting, altering or dismantling formwork, the
weight of the false deck and live load should be applied to the formwork support structure.
The height between the false deck and the pouring deck should allow entry for a person
during stripping. Workers must take reasonable care for their own safety by not climbing
the framework.

Intermediate platforms
Where the potential fall distance is less than 2 metres, an intermediate work platform can
be provided that is at least 450 mm wide (see Figure 2).

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FIGURE 2 Worker erecting formwork from an intermediate platform less than 2 metres
above a formwork deck where the deck to deck height is greater than 2 metres

> 2.0 m
< 2.0 m

< 2.0 m

Installing bearers
Bearers are the primary horizontal support members for a formwork deck that are placed on
top of formwork frames. They are usually timber but are sometimes metal. They should be
placed in position by people located on a secure platform no more than 2 metres below them.
Bearers should be positioned so they will not fall off the top of the frames. The usual method
to do this is by placing the bearers in U-heads on top of the frames and by minimising
cantilevers. U-heads should be used where two bearers abut. Where only single bearers are
placed in the U-head, the bearer should be placed centrally in the U-head unless a formwork
designer, engineer or other competent person states otherwise. This can be achieved by
rotating the U-head or by using timber wedges.
Where the top of the supporting member consists of a flat plate, the bearer should be nailed
or otherwise effectively secured to the plate. Flat plates should only be used where specified
by a formwork designer, engineer or other competent person.

Installing joists
Where a false deck is provided at 2 metres or less below a worker, joists may be spread on the
bearers with the worker standing on top at bearer level.
If the height of the formwork deck being constructed is more than 2 metres above a
continuous deck or surface below it, joists should be spread from a platform located within
2 metres of that surface, underneath the deck being constructed (see Figure 2). This work
platform should be a false deck but an intermediate platform may be used.
A person should be provided with a working platform at least 450 mm wide (two planks)
when the potential fall distance is less than 2 metres. It is not acceptable for a person to work
from a single plank or bearer.
One example of a work system that may be used to do this is as follows:

The joists are lifted by the workers from underneath and spread on top of the bearers into
their approximate final positions whilst standing on a lower work platform.

The platform below the deck should be positioned at a suitable height for handling joists

without introducing manual task risks and not greater than 2 metres above the continuous
deck or surface below.

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Laying formply on the deck

A formwork deck should be laid in a progressive way so people will be provided with
a method to prevent them from falling below the deck.
This control measure is particularly important in situations where a false deck has not been
provided within 2 metres below the level of the deck to be laid. In this situation formply
may only be spread on the joists provided:

People start laying the formply sheets from the perimeter scaffolding or other edge
protection provided on the perimeter of the formwork.

A minimum of four joists at 450 mm centres400 mm gaps, totalling 1.8 metresare

located on bearers next to the person and in the other direction joists extend for at least
1.8 metres (see Figure 3). Therefore, if a person falls they will fall onto the joists and should
be prevented from falling further. In some situations, there may be a possibility of a person
falling through the joists if the joists spread as the persons body makes contact. This
is more likely to be a potential hazard when the person falls onto the joists in the same
direction as the joists. Implementing controls to minimise sideways movement of joists
will minimise this possibility.

People lay the formply in front of their bodies so if they stumble they are likely to fall
on top of the sheets being laid.

Maximum spacing of timbers where deck is

over 2 metres below
FIGURE 3

Where a leading edge is involved and

the distance below the deck being
constructed is greater than 2 metres
the SWMS must detail how work will
be completed to control the risk.

Cantilevers
Cantilevered bearers, joists and ply
sheets can be hazardous when left
unsecured. The weight of material or a
person standing on the cantilever may
make the timber see-saw and cause
the person or material to fall. When
designing the formwork system, the
use of cantilevers should be kept to
a minimum. In some situations using
cantilevered sections is unavoidable.
In these cases, a formwork designer
should consider the potential for
people and stored materials to cause
cantilevers to pivot.
Wherever the weight of a person
will cause a cantilever to pivot, the
formwork design should include
measures to secure the cantilevers so this will not occur. This may include temporary
propping, nailing, bolting or another effective method. If nailing is used the formwork design
should specify the nailing detail and this should be followed. This may include the use of
purpose designed or proprietary brackets. Materials should not be stacked or stored on a
cantilever section unless the section has been designed to carry the load. Temporary working
platforms cantilevered from shoring frames are a form of cantilevered scaffold. Where a
person or object could fall more than 4 metres from a scaffold, workers involved in erecting,
altering or dismantling them must hold a scaffolding licence. The minimum licence class for
this type of work is Intermediate Scaffolding.

Penetrations
Open penetrations like stairwells or penetrations to allow for services create hazards for
people on the deck, for example a fall through a larger penetration, stepping into a smaller
penetration or an object falling through the opening onto people below. A penetration where
there is a risk a person or an object could fall through should be guarded.
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Protect open penetrations with edge protection like handrails or by securely covering them
so no one can fall through them. Penetrations in concrete slabs may include cast-in-mesh as a
back-up system. The mesh should be of a small aperture, for example 50 x 50 mm mesh size
or smaller and made of material capable of withstanding the potential imposed loads. Where
mesh or other physical fall protection material is to be provided for larger penetrations this
should be included in the slab design specifications to ensure it can withstand potential loads
including those applied by people, equipment and material.
Where holes are cut in the mesh for services to pass through the hole should be cut to the
profile of the service so the mesh remains in the penetration and the load carrying capacity
of the mesh is not reduced below design specifications.
Using plywood covers alone is not a satisfactory risk control because:

the cover may be indistinguishable from other pieces of plywood

it cannot be refitted without significant modification, once the first service is installed
it may be difficult to determine if the plywood is properly secured, and
secured plywood covers can be unsecured to gain entry and not re-secured.
Plywood covers should be structurally graded, painted in a bright colour and marked with
wording, for example Danger penetration below. The cover should be firmly secured to the
concrete and designed for potential loads that may be applied, for example workers, materials
or plant that may travel over the cover.
Before stripping formwork, cover the penetration that will be exposed as the formwork is
stripped or protect the penetration before starting the stripping operation.
Penetrations are also hazardous before the deck is laid. Joists placed up to the edge of the
penetration should be secured so the timbers cannot spread if a person falls on them.

Working areas for steel fixers and others

Steel fixers, plumbers and electricians often follow closely behind the formwork erection.
The formwork zone should be large enough to ensure these people are clearly separated
from the form workers.
A formwork only zone should be maintained behind the leading edge. This zone should
be clearly marked by signs and a mesh barrier. Figure 4 shows the other work zone, the
formwork zone and the area retained as edge protectionfour joists spaced 1800 mm
beyond the laid deck.
FIGURE 4

End view of deck showing working zones

Zone for
other
workers

Formwork
construction
zone

CAUTION
FORMWORK
CONSTRUCTION
ZONE

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Temporary walkways laid across reinforcement mesh can be used to control the risk of slips
and trips when multiple trades are entering large areas where reinforcement mesh has been
laid behind formworkers.
A physical barrier should be provided and maintained to separate the formwork work zone
from other workers. This barrier should be rigid, capable of maintaining its integrity in an
upright position and capable of supporting signage if required.

Changing floor levels

Formwork decks are rarely flat across the entire floor, generally due to deep beams or drop
downs sometimes called capitals around columns. Uneven floors introduce fall hazards.
These hazards are most effectively managed by ensuring formwork supports and the deck are
progressively constructed for the lower parts of the deck before work starts on the higherlevel areas of the deck.

Fall protection from the formwork deck

During formwork construction the structure is constantly changing so continual modification
of fall protection measures is also necessary.
When there is only one leading edge where the other edges are provided with scaffold
edge protection or safety screens, providing fall protection on the leading edge is relatively
straightforward. However, where there are multiple leading edges or the deck is not at one
consistent level, fall protection may be difficult to implement.

Edge protection on the formwork deck

Where the design of the formwork is complex, it may be impractical to provide edge
protection on leading edges because the profile of the deck is constantly changing and
constructing leading edge protection would create more hazards than it would control. For
example, the people installing the edge protection could be exposed to risks when installing
the edge protection.
In some situations it may be necessary to provide perimeter edge protection on edges of the
formwork deck.
Examples where edge protection should be installed are:

where there is a change in deck height along the side of the deck being constructed i.e. a
drop down for a beam and no joists or formply has been provided at this different height

when a leading edge is to be left unattended and entry onto the deck by people other
than form workers is required i.e. the formwork deck has not been barricaded off and
provided with keep out signs, and

at openings in stairwells or lift shafts.

Perimeter containment screens or a scaffold are effective means of edge protection on a
completed formwork deck. Scaffolding should be erected before the formwork and prevents
workers falling off the completed deck. The main advantage of these systems is people
are not required to install edge protection on the perimeter of the formwork deck and are
therefore not exposed to a risk of falling. The other advantage is edge protection for people
installing the final perimeter formply sheets is already in place.
Where suspended, cantilevered, spur or hung scaffold, or any scaffold from which a person or
object could fall more than 4 metres from the platform or the structure is used, any erection,
alteration or dismantling of the scaffold must be carried out by licensed scaffolders. Cover
gaps between a completed floor and scaffold after the formwork is stripped if there is a risk
of a person or materials falling through the gap.
For further information see the General guide for scaffolds and scaffolding work.
In some situations it may be impractical to provide perimeter containment screens or
scaffolding. Use a work system to install perimeter edge protection on the deck which
eliminates or minimises the risk of a fall.
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Harness systems should not be used because they do not provide a practical control for
the risk of a fall from height from the perimeter of formwork.
If required, edge protection can be substituted with an alternative measure provided this
measure prevents a person falling from the edge. One alternative is providing a barricade
1.8 metres back from the edge with clearly visible warning signs.

Perimeter containment screens

Perimeter containment screens are protective structures fixed to the perimeter structure
or working platform to prevent objects and people falling outside the work area. This
significantly minimises the risk of injury to other workers and the public.
Screens should be used throughout the whole construction process especially while erecting or
stripping formwork. They are usually sheeted with timber, plywood, metal or synthetic mesh.
Screens may be supported by the building or structure or by a specifically designed scaffold.
The screens can also act as perimeter fall protection on a top working platform and should
extend at least 2 metres above the working surface to provide protection for the public and
workers outside the contained work area.
When selecting containment screens consider:

the ability to support or contain imposed impact loads including building materials,
equipment and waste materials

resistance to wind loads on the supporting structure

frequency of inspection
chemical reactivity including flammability
ventilation requirements
light transmission requirements
degree of protection provided from rain or washing down operations
pattern and frequency of fixing points, and
gaps created by a fixing method.
Containment screens should remain in position from the start of the formwork being erected
until soffit stripping is complete to prevent objects falling throughout the process.
To prevent material from falling below, gaps between perimeter screens and the formwork
deck or floor should not exceed 25 mm.

Pre-loading inspection and certification

Inspection and certification processes each contribute to controlling risks during the
construction of formwork and falsework. Formwork should comply with AS 3610: Formwork
for concrete.
Inspections and clearance to load should occur at key stages during the construction of
formwork including when formwork is being loaded, for example with formwork components,
equipment or pre stressed tendons and prior to its completion.
A separate certification process should occur when the formwork is complete and prior
to concrete being poured.
A competent person such as an engineer with experience in structural design (certifying
engineer) should inspect and certify that completed formwork meets the design
specifications and is structurally sound before it is loaded. Generally certification will
not be required for formwork and falsework in housing construction work.
The certifying engineer should complete and provide a Formwork Structural Certificate
to the person with management or control of the formwork, often the principal contractor.
An example is at Appendix A.
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Where a scaffold is being used there are specific requirements to control entry to the scaffold
and for inspection and certification prior to use. Further information is in the General guide
on scaffolds and scaffolding work.

Loading
The formwork should not be subjected to a load until it is confirmed as meeting the design
specification, for example by completing a pre-pour inspection before placing concrete.
Loads should not exceed the design loading specified by the designer.
To maintain stability of the forms the placement of concrete should not exceed the maximum
calculated pour rate and the inboard part of formwork should be placed before proceeding
to any cantilever section.
Hoisting, pumping and other equipment should not be attached to the formwork unless
specifically allowed for in the formwork design.
Formwork should be monitored as it is loaded to check for indications of potential failure
or collapse and that vertical and horizontal movements do not exceed specifications.

Monitoring
A competent designated observer should continuously monitor the formwork assembly
during concrete placing operations and be provided with an appropriate communication
system to alert others in case an emergency arises.
Other than a designated observer, no person should be underneath a formwork deck during
concrete placement. An observer should not stand directly underneath an area where wet
concrete is being placed into the forms.
Competent persons should be available during concrete placement to carry out any
emergency adjustments or repairs. The concrete placement should cease during adjustments
and repairs.

Pre-stripping certification
Before starting the stripping operation a competent person, for example an engineer with
experience in structural design should provide written confirmation the permanent structure
is self-supporting and the formwork can be removed. The certification should be based on the
design specifications for the structure, the verification of the strength of the concrete mix and
the time period elapsed since the pour.
Documentation from the concrete supplier verifying the concrete specification should be
available on request. A concrete sampling and testing procedure should be in place to verify
the concrete meets its design specification.
A competent person should also provide input into the SWMS on formwork stripping to
ensure the permanent concrete element will not fail and result in structural collapse.
For further information see the General guide for formwork and falsework.

Stripping formwork
As with formwork erection, the stripping operation should be carried out in an orderly,
systematic and progressive manner, considering the risks of falls, falling objects and manual
task hazards in the now enclosed space.
When assessing the risks from stripping formwork consider:

the number of people in the stripping crew

the sequence of stripping activities this should detail how the frames and other supports
should be removed i.e. how far U-heads are to be lowered

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whether the support system will be completely removed in a zone before removing

the formwork deck or whether the supports will be lowered slightly but remain under
the formply while it is being removed

removing nails and sharp fixings before stacking the components

minimising damage to the components
stacking the formwork componentsdo not obstruct access ways or work areas
formwork components are not dropped or thrown from a building or structure
flatheads are not supporting the ends of bearers
when back-propping is required or only part of the support system is to be removed,

how the structural members will remain in place and the type and layout of members
that will replace the formwork system

other special requirements involved in the stripping and or building process e.g. checking
of back-propping after post-tensioning

providing lighting for the work area and surroundings, and

maintaining housekeeping, removing nails and rejected materials, stacking stripped

formwork and removing tripping hazards e.g. concrete nails and brace anchor inserts
from the floor.

Formwork removal should be carried out in a systematic way so the deck is gradually
removed as the support system. Formply may be removed by partially lowering the
support system and then dropping the segment of the deck (sheet) onto the support
system. This eliminates the need to manually lift sheets of ply from ground level.

Bond reduction
Stripping formwork is easier when the strength of the bond between the form material and
the concrete is reduced. The bond will be dependent on the material characteristics and the
smoothness of the form material. A liquid bond breaker can be used on wall and column
forms to reduce the strength of the bond but use on floor forms is not encouraged because
it can cause a slip hazard.

Drop stripping
Drop stripping describes the method used when all of the formwork support system is
removed and the formply is then allowed to drop to the level below either by its own weight
or by people levering it off.
Drop stripping should not be used. It can be very hazardous because the formply is likely
to fall uncontrolled and can hit people in the vicinity of the work.

Further information
AS3610: Formwork for concrete
AS3610.1: Formwork Part 1-Documentation and surface finish
Codes of practice, guidance material and other resources are available on the Safe Work
Australia website (www.swa.gov.au).

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APPENDIX A FORMWORK
STRUCTURAL CERTIFICATE
13

An example Formwork Structural Certificate for use by a competent person to indicate Formwork
and falsework has been inspected and complies with specification and is structurally sound.

Engineers Name: ...........................................................................................................................................

Address: .............................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................
Telephone: ........................................................................... Fax: ..................................................................
Mobile: .................................................................................. Date: .................................................................
Project: ...............................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................
Level: .................................................................... Area: ..................................................................................
STRUCTURAL CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the........................................................................ formwork for the above project
has been inspected and is considered to be adequate to support the design loads in
accordance with the relevant standards including AS 3610: Formwork for concrete.
The following items were included in the inspection:
CONDITION
Yes/No

WORK REQUIRED

Base plates

OK

No

Frame spacing

OK

No

Frame bracing

OK

No

Frame extensions

OK

No

Bearer size and spacing

OK

No

Joist size and spacing

OK

No

ITEM

Prop spacing

Not OK

Prop bracing

OK

No

Eccentric loading

OK

No

Prop inclination

OK

No

Timber condition

OK

No

Steel condition

OK

No

Nails in plates as required

OK

No

Columns framing

OK

No

Columns bracing

OK

No

Plywood Fixing

OK

No

...........................................................................................................

Replace props near columns

..............................................................

Certifying Engineers Name Signature

GUIDE TO FORMWORK | JULY 2014