Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
Start with a free 30-day trial. No credit card required.
This Concrete Safe Work Method Statement, or Concrete SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage concreting risks before pouring, placing, finishing, or cutting concrete. Easily select the scope of work, possible hazards, and required PPE from a list of choices, then work through a ready-to-use list of job steps, risk assessments, and method statements for common concreting activities.
Want a ready-to-use concrete SWMS your team can complete on any device? It comes pre-filled with concreting job steps, risk assessments, and method statements you can edit to match how your company works, and your crew can scan to sign on before starting and export the finished SWMS to PDF or CSV.
100% fully editable Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Export your Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) to PDF or CSV
Access Concreting SWMS Form on mobile, tablet or computer
What is Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Concrete Safe Work Method Statement, or Concrete SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, concreters, and contractors to plan how concreting work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, concrete delivery, pumps, tools, formwork, access, washout areas, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with concrete work, hazards such as wet concrete burns, silica dust exposure, manual handling injuries, moving plant, slips, struck-by incidents, noise, vibration, and poor washout control have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Concrete SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, civil works, infrastructure, residential building, commercial projects, and industrial sites where concrete is poured, pumped, cut, finished, or repaired.
Compare this to Concreting SWMS Form traditional Word and PDF documents
Preview this Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) below and see how it's so much easier to create and navigate the SWMS form.
See how this Concreting Safe Work Method Statement can help make creating, completing, and managing SWMS more efficient. Preview it for free below.
Generate this template automatically with Storm
You don't have to build the SWMS Process field by field. Let Storm, the AI Data Capture Agent inside Dashpivot, build the template for you in seconds.
Describe what you need
Tell Storm the form you want in plain language and it builds a structured digital template from scratch, with fields, tables, and signatures in place.
Upload what you already use
Drop in your existing PDF, Word, Excel, or even a photo of a paper form. Storm rebuilds it as a smart digital template with the structure intact.
Generate a SWMS Process form template that I can use for my business
Applicable Standards and Policies for Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Concrete Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work where applicable, and to document hazards, risks, and control measures involved in concrete pouring, cutting, pumping, finishing, formwork, manual handling, and plant use. A Concrete SWMS is a good document to support compliance to this.
- Model WHS Regulations require a SWMS for high-risk construction work in Australia
- Safe Work Australia’s Construction Work Code of Practice covers SWMS requirements for high-risk construction work
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers hazardous manual tasks, plant risks, silica dust, and construction hazards
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers formwork, concrete placement, and falling object risks
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for concrete and construction work
Staff Members and Parties that use Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Concrete SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage concrete pouring, pumping, cutting, grinding, finishing, curing, formwork, or other concrete-related work. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Concrete SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Concrete workers and finishers
- Concrete pump operators
- Formworkers and steel fixers
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out concrete work
Business Risks Reduced by Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Concrete SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most concreting incidents, such as concrete burns, silica dust exposure, manual handling, plant interaction, hose whip, slips and trips, falling objects, and formwork failure. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks.
- Injuries, illness, and concrete-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and concrete safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from injuries, concrete defects, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Concrete SWMS helps businesses improve control over concrete work, plant movement, formwork, manual handling, and dust-related risks. Here are some ways a well-designed Concrete SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before concrete work begins
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, concrete crews, pump operators, and formworkers
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Concrete SWMS?
A Concrete SWMS should be prepared before concrete work is carried out as part of high risk construction work or on sites with higher-risk conditions. While exact requirements can vary across Australian states, territories, projects, and principal contractor requirements, there are some core elements that are typically included that you should know about:
- Scope of work, site location, concrete task, work area, and responsible persons
- Job steps for delivery, pouring, pumping, screeding, vibrating, finishing, cutting, curing, clean-up, and waste disposal
- Hazards such as wet concrete exposure, silica dust, manual handling, slips, trips, plant movement, formwork failure, and public interaction
- Required controls such as PPE, exclusion zones, traffic management, washout areas, dust suppression, safe access, and concrete pump controls
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Concrete SWMS Important?
Concrete SWMS are important because concrete work can expose workers to chemical burns, silica dust, manual handling injuries, slips, trips, and struck-by risks from trucks, pumps, and other plant. This is critically important on construction, civil, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects where concrete may be poured, pumped, cut, drilled, finished, or removed near other trades.
Essentially, a Concrete SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, concrete hazards, PPE, plant movements, and environmental controls have been reviewed before the task begins. Additionally, it gives project management teams clear documentation of the due diligence performed, supporting consultation, site coordination, and compliance with Australian WHS requirements where the work forms part of construction or higher-risk site activity.
How to Create a Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Creating your own Concrete SWMS forms doesn’t have to be complicated. In this section, we break down the process step by step.
Before starting your Concrete Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Concrete scope and work area must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Plant, tools, formwork, and delivery needs must be included.
- PPE, manual handling, dust, and washout controls must be noted.
- Worker sign-off and SWMS review requirements must be recorded.
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your Concrete Safe Work Method Statement to help establish context for the work to be done. Here are some examples of core elements that you can use:
- Project name and site location
- SWMS title and document reference number
- Description of concrete works to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and concrete personnel
Define the Scope of Concrete Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what concrete activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Concrete SWMS:
- Type of concrete work being completed
- Work area, pour location, slab, footing, wall, or structure
- Concrete delivery, pumping, placement, finishing, and curing activities
- Plant, tools, formwork, reinforcement, and equipment required for the task
- Access, exclusion zones, and concrete truck or pump set-up requirements
Assess Concrete Work Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before concrete work starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Contact with wet concrete, cement, additives, or curing compounds
- Manual handling of reinforcement, tools, hoses, forms, and materials
- Concrete trucks, pumps, hoses, placing booms, and mobile plant movement
- Slips, trips, falls, uneven ground, or open edges
- Silica dust, noise, vibration, splash-back, or flying debris
Record Safety Control Measures and Work Method
After the hazards are identified, you will want to determine the appropriate safety control measures to reduce risks for your workers and nearby site personnel. Be sure to document the following information in your SWMS:
- PPE requirements such as gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, hearing protection, and safety footwear
- Concrete pump, hose, tool, formwork, and equipment checks before use
- Exclusion zones, spotters, barricades, and traffic controls, where required
- Washout, spill response, and wet concrete exposure procedures
- Work sequence for set-up, delivery, placement, finishing, curing, clean-up, and waste control
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Concrete SWMS with review, approval, and worker sign-off to confirm that the work method and safety control measures have been communicated before work starts. Here are some examples of fields you can include:
- Names and roles of reviewers and approvers
- Date of review and approval
- Worker confirmation that the SWMS has been read and understood
- Supervisor or person in charge sign-off
- Revision number and next review trigger
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS Process in an App or Software System
A well-designed SWMS process ensures workers clearly understand the hazards, risks, and required control measures to perform high-risk work, while enabling your team to easily document, review, and share safe work procedures before work begins.
40 minutes
Medium difficulty
Start your Concreting SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Concreting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct concrete placement activity. This section should use simple text and date fields for fields such as:
- Text field or Automatic Form Counter for SWMS Reference Number
- Date selector field for Date
- Text fields for Project Name and Address
- Text field or Automatic Single Day Weather capture
- Multi-line text field for Description of Work
Create a Section for Scope of Work, Hazards, and PPE
Next, create a section where users can select the project scope, possible hazards, and required PPE for the concreting works. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Ear Protection
- Conditional text field for other hazards or PPE not listed in the pre-filled choices
Create a Table for Material and Equipment Information
Users will next need to list down the concrete placing boom, immersion vibrator, ride-on power trowel, and other equipment required for the task. We highly recommend using a table for this section so each item can be recorded with its make, asset details, and required training information.
- First column for Material or Equipment Name
- Second column for Make or Model
- Third column for Registration or Asset ID, if any
- Fourth column for Required License or Training, if any
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each concreting job step, hazards, risk scores, controls, and responsible persons. We highly recommend using a table for this section, with the following formatting for the columns:
- First column for Job Step
- Second column for Potential Hazards
- Third column for Initial Risk Score
- Fourth column for Controls
- Fifth column for Residual Risk Score
- Sixth column for Person Responsible
Add Pre-filled Method Statement Rows for Concreting Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common concreting job steps in the attached SWMS. These rows help users complete the form faster while still allowing the SWMS to be adjusted for the actual site task.
- Row for Pre-start planning, work area setup and equipment inspection
- Row for Receiving, pumping and pouring concrete
- Row for Placing, vibrating, screeding and levelling concrete
- Row for Finishing, cutting, cleaning and completing concrete works
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some concreting tasks may require extra job steps depending on slab edges, floor penetrations, pump hose control, falling objects, access areas, or how concrete is poured near open edges. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
- Risk Score = Likelihood Rating x Consequence Rating
Create a Section for Risk Matrix Guidance
Next, add a risk matrix section as a guide for users to assess initial and residual risk scores for any additional job steps they may add. We highly recommend using the following fields and features to help guide users:
- Pre-filled or photo of the Risk Matrix table showing Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Score levels
- Pre-filled text field for Consequence ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled text field for Likelihood ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled guide for residual risk actions, including Low, Moderate, High, and Catastrophic risk outcome
End your Concreting SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Concreting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with worker confirmation and sign-off fields for the responsible parties. If your app or software allows, use scan-to-sign and automatic e-signature fields to keep the sign-off process digital.
- A scan to sign-on table for workers sign-off
- E-signature field for Supervisor Sign-off
- E-signature field for Project Manager Sign-off
- Automatic date and time stamp fields for each sign-off
About the author
Version History:
Other popular templates you can use and edit for free
This SWMS form was generated with Dashpivot software
- Access, edit and complete your SWMS Process from any device - mobile, tablet or computer.
- Print, download or send your SWMS Process as perfectly formatted PDF documents with your company logo.
- Store your SWMS Process securely online, where they can be searched and found in seconds
- Invite internal and external parties to see, edit and sign off on SWMS Process online.
