Backpropping and Reshoring SWMS

Suits formworkers, concreters and builders on multi-storey slab construction who install, check and remove back-props and reshores after forms are stripped. It follows the work from the engineer’s design and sequence, through installation, inspection and maintenance, to controlled removal. It does not cover formwork erection and stripping, which has its own Formwork SWMS, or concrete placement.

The fall of more than 2 metres item is pre-ticked because slab edges and openings are part of this work. Tick any other item that applies, such as powered mobile plant moving on the level or energised electrical services.

New to SWMS? Read What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?

What Is Covered In Our Backpropping and Reshoring SWMS?

After the standard pre-start checks, the job steps run from “Obtain the backpropping design and plan the sequence” to “Clean, sort and return the props”. The hazards and controls include:

• Slab or props overloaded by wrong layout or sequence
• Stripping before the concrete is strong enough
• Props on weak or uneven bearing
• Props buckling or kicking out
• Falls from slab edges and openings
• Falls from backprop frame towers
• Props removed or altered by other trades
• Overload from stacked materials or plant
• Sudden load transfer when props are released
• Props falling when removed
• Heavy props causing crush and strain injuries
• Damaged props returned to use

High Risk Construction Work

These high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are already ticked because they are part of this work. Tick any others that apply to your job:

• Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m

Licences, Training and Competency

• General construction induction training card (white card)
• Competent person for the inspection of props, with experience in formwork and propping systems
• High risk work licence for dogging (or a higher rigging class) for the person who slings loads or directs the crane operator when the load is out of view
• High risk work licence for the class of crane or hoist used (Sch 3)
• Training in the harness or restraint used
• Site induction

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Formwork Code of Practice 2016
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice 2021
• Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2024 (where a mobile crane lifts the props)
• Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 (where a scaffold gives access)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (12 A4 landscape pages). Type your business, client and job details once and they fill in on every page, with a space for your logo
• 9 job steps for this work, each with its hazards, controls, initial and residual risk scores and the person responsible
• PPE listed for this job: safety helmet; safety boots; gloves; safety glasses
• Emergency arrangements for: prop buckling, slab distress or cracking and person struck or crushed
• Plus the parts every Work Safety QLD SWMS shares, from the s 291 checklist to the worker sign-on sheet (see the layout in our free SWMS template)

Adjust it for your site, plant and crew, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.

Checked against the Queensland laws and codes of practice listed above. Last reviewed November 2026.