COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Site Preparation & Planning for Formwork & Concreting course. This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and practical strategies required to prepare worksites efficiently and correctly for successful formwork and concreting operations. Proper preparation underpins every safe, compliant, and high-quality concreting project, ensuring work progresses smoothly and without costly disruptions or rectifications.
This course begins by exploring the significance of thorough site preparation, the potential consequences of overlooking critical steps, and the key roles and responsibilities involved during the planning phase, from supervisors to concreters and subcontractors.
Understanding project documentation is a vital early task. This section focuses on interpreting construction drawings, site plans, and formwork/concrete specifications, enabling you to spot discrepancies, resolve missing information, and ensure clarity before physical work begins.
Initial site inspections set the foundation for safe and effective work. This section covers how to assess site conditions, access, ground stability, and services, while identifying environmental and logistical constraints that must be addressed before proceeding.
Effective site preparation requires formal risk assessments. Here, you will learn how to identify site-specific risks such as ground collapse, adverse weather, or proximity to overhead services, and implement appropriate hazard control measures before construction activities commence.
Setting out the site accurately is critical to achieving design outcomes. This section explains how to establish grid lines, datum points, pour zones, and penetrations using correct set-out techniques, and how to coordinate with surveyors where required.
Ground preparation is essential for long-term concrete performance. This section focuses on clearing debris, grading and compacting sub-bases, and preparing the ground to meet structural and design specifications for slabs, beams, footings, and other elements.
Temporary site facilities support worker welfare and project efficiency. This section outlines how to set up sheds, amenities, water supply, and safe vehicle and pedestrian access routes, while ensuring clear entry points for concrete trucks, pumps, and cranes.
Managing underground and overhead services is critical to avoiding costly damages or service interruptions. You will learn about Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) requirements, locating buried services, and coordinating with service authorities if relocations are necessary.
Weather can dramatically affect concreting operations. This section covers how to plan for extreme temperatures, rain, or wind, and how to install environmental controls such as erosion barriers and sediment traps to protect site stability and minimise environmental impact.
Resource planning ensures the right people, equipment, and materials are available at the right time. This section discusses labour scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and the timely delivery of essential machinery such as excavators, pumps, and compactors.
Planning for formwork materials and equipment is key to safety and quality. You will learn about selecting appropriate formwork systems, safely storing and inspecting components prior to installation, and ensuring material readiness for the construction sequence.
Working at heights during formwork and deck pours requires careful planning. This section addresses the setup of scaffolding, handrails, and mesh, and how to ensure full compliance with relevant WHS codes of practice for fall prevention and height safety.
Concrete logistics can make or break a project timeline. This section explains how to plan concrete supply and pouring operations, including booking deliveries, sequencing pours, and setting up efficient concrete pump operations to minimise delays and wastage.
Clear communication on site is essential for safety and efficiency. This section discusses how to organise daily pre-start briefings, set up communication systems such as two-way radios, and ensure all workers understand emergency procedures before work begins.
Maintaining site cleanliness and managing waste is critical for environmental and safety compliance. This section provides strategies for setting up bins, managing slurry washouts, recycling reinforcement offcuts, and maintaining clear, safe work pathways.
Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) planning must be integrated from the outset. This section covers preparing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), completing site inductions, and ensuring that first aid kits, fire equipment, and spill response tools are readily available.
Before construction begins, a final inspection is essential. This section outlines how to conduct a readiness verification, checking site cleanliness, access, risk control measures, and design compliance before authorising formwork erection or concrete pours to commence.
Finally, continuous monitoring ensures that the worksite remains safe and efficient. You will learn techniques for ongoing review of access, resource allocation, sequencing adjustments, and early reporting of issues to avoid delays, defects, and cost blowouts.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to manage site preparation and planning processes professionally, ensuring your formwork and concreting projects are set up for safety, compliance, efficiency, and success.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Site Preparation and Planning
- Importance of proper site preparation in formwork and concreting projects
- Consequences of poor preparation on project outcomes
- Roles and responsibilities in the preparation phase
2. Understanding Project Documentation and Specifications
- Reviewing construction drawings, site plans, and project scopes
- Interpreting concrete and formwork specifications
- Identifying discrepancies or missing information early
3. Conducting Initial Site Inspections
- Assessing site access, ground conditions, and services
- Identifying hazards and environmental constraints
- Confirming site boundaries and set-out points
4. Site Risk Assessment and Hazard Management
- Performing site-specific risk assessments
- Identifying risks related to ground stability, weather, and overhead services
- Developing appropriate control measures
5. Setting Out and Marking the Work Area
- Establishing grid lines, levels, and datum points
- Marking out pour areas, penetrations, and edge protection zones
- Coordinating surveyor involvement where required
6. Earthworks and Ground Preparation for Formwork and Concreting
- Clearing vegetation, debris, and unsuitable materials
- Grading and compacting sub-bases to specifications
- Preparing for slab foundations, beams, and footings
7. Temporary Site Facilities and Access Requirements
- Setting up site sheds, toilets, and water access
- Planning safe walkways, vehicle paths, and delivery zones
- Ensuring clear access for concrete trucks, pumps, and cranes
8. Managing Underground and Overhead Services
- Locating and protecting existing electrical, gas, and water services
- Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) procedures and service authority notifications
- Planning for temporary service relocations if required
9. Weather Planning and Environmental Controls
- Preparing for extreme heat, rain, and wind conditions
- Installing erosion and sediment controls (ESC)
- Protecting concrete works from environmental impacts
10. Resource Planning for Site Preparation
- Organising labour, equipment, and material deliveries
- Scheduling subcontractors and specialised services
- Ensuring availability of plant such as excavators, compactors, and pumps
11. Formwork Material and Equipment Planning
- Selecting suitable formwork systems for site conditions
- Staging and storing formwork components safely
- Inspecting formwork materials before erection
12. Planning for Safe Work at Heights and Edge Protection
- Installing scaffolding, handrails, and safety mesh
- Planning fall protection systems for deck pours and elevated work
- Ensuring compliance with WHS codes of practice
13. Planning Concrete Supply and Pour Logistics
- Booking ready-mix deliveries in accordance with site capacity
- Determining pump setup locations and boom reach
- Allowing for pour sequencing and breaks for large slabs
14. Site Communication and Coordination Planning
- Setting up pre-start meetings and daily briefings
- Establishing communication systems
- Ensuring emergency procedures are understood by all teams
15. Planning for Waste Management and Site Cleanliness
- Setting up bins for concrete waste, reinforcement offcuts, and packaging
- Managing slurry washouts and water runoff
- Keeping pathways, pour zones, and work areas clear
16. Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Planning
- Preparing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and job safety analyses (JSA)
- Inducting all workers on site-specific risks and controls
- Organising first aid, fire safety, and spill response equipment
17. Site Inspection and Readiness Verification Before Work Begins
- Conducting final inspections of site readiness for formwork erection
- Checking compliance with design tolerances, cleanliness, and safety
- Authorising commencement of formwork installation and concrete activities
18. Continuous Monitoring and Adjustments During Operations
- Regularly reviewing site conditions and access as work progresses
- Adjusting resource allocation and sequencing as needed
- Reporting site issues early to minimise delays and rework
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.