Safety checklist — Formwork
Installation and removal of formwork. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
11 items- ✓
PPE worn: CSA hard hat, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, gloves
- ✓
Work zone marked off — access restricted to authorized personnel
- ✓
Panels, shores and clamping accessories inspected — no visible defects
- ✓
Formwork plan reviewed and understood
- ✓
Bearing soil stability checked — mudsills in place if required
- ✓
Guardrails installed if fall risk ≥ 3 m (CNESST zero tolerance)Critical
ℹ️ CNESST zero tolerance: fall ≥ 3 m = work stoppage
- ✓
Shores positioned plumb and locked
- ✓
Alignment and plumbness verified with level
- ✓
All clamping accessories tightened and confirmed
- ✓
No worker under the load or in the lifting zone
- ✓
Lateral bracing in place
After work
3 items- ✓
Area cleaned — nails, debris and wood offcuts picked up
- ✓
Material stacked securely and stored
- ✓
Anomalies or near-misses reported to foreman
More checklists — Heavy Work
More safety checklists
Risks and prevention — Formwork
Formwork is one of the most hazardous activities in heavy construction. Formwork collapses are among the leading causes of serious injuries on Québec job sites. The Construction Safety Code (CSTC) requires all formwork to be designed to withstand anticipated loads, including fresh concrete pressure, worker weight, and equipment impact.
Before every pour, check panel plumb, shore condition, tie tightness, and base stability. Shores must rest on solid, level bearing. Stripping must not occur until concrete reaches the minimum strength specified by the engineer.
Workers must wear fall protection when exposed to falls exceeding 3 metres during assembly or dismantling. Access to formwork areas must be restricted during pours, and a safety perimeter must be maintained around the work zone.
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