Construction Trades Safety · 2–5 min toolbox talk
Formwork and Shoring Safety
A safety talk focused on concrete formwork and shoring, including design loads, erection, bracing, access, concrete placement, inspection, stripping, reshoring, and collapse prevention.
Use this printed script for your tailgate or toolbox talk. Read through the hazards, script, and questions with your crew.
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“Formwork and Shoring Safety”
Key Hazards
- Formwork or shoring collapse during concrete placement
- Workers struck or crushed by shifting forms and supports
- Falls from formwork, elevated decks, or incomplete access
- Overloading from concrete, equipment, or stored materials
- Premature removal of forms, shores, or reshoring
- Protruding hardware, sharp edges, and falling components
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Formwork and Shoring Safety requires workers to recognize the task-specific hazards before work begins and to use the controls established for the project.
Formwork and shoring should be erected, loaded, inspected, and removed according to approved drawings, specifications, placement rates, and the direction of qualified and competent personnel.
Foundations, sills, shores, frames, braces, ties, walers, beams, and connections should be installed on stable support and kept plumb, aligned, and secured.
The crew should control concrete placement rate, location, vibration, pump discharge, equipment loads, and material storage so the system is not unevenly or excessively loaded.
Safe access, guardrails, working platforms, and protected openings should be provided without climbing braces, shores, or form hardware.
Forms and shores should be inspected before, during, and after placement for movement, settlement, leakage, deflection, loose connections, or other warning signs.
Stripping and reshoring should follow authorized timing and sequence after required concrete strength is achieved, with components lowered and stored in a controlled manner.
Placement or stripping should stop when the system moves, shores settle, braces loosen, concrete placement exceeds the plan, or authorization and strength verification are not available.
Safety Reminders
- Follow approved formwork and shoring plans.
- Build on stable, properly supported foundations.
- Control concrete placement rate and loading.
- Provide safe access and edge protection.
- Inspect for movement, settlement, and loose connections.
- Do not remove shores without authorization.
- Maintain reshoring for the required duration.
Ask the Crew
- What drawings and load limits govern this formwork?
- Who is responsible for inspection and approval?
- How will placement rate and equipment loading be controlled?
- What signs could indicate instability or overload?
- When and in what sequence may forms and shores be removed?