Concreting · Canada

FLHA for concrete slab pour

By SiteSortedBuilt from provincial OHS law and CCOHS guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

Provincial OHS law requires hazards to be assessed and controlled before work starts. A field level hazard assessment (FLHA) for concrete slab pour is done on site at the start of the shift and again whenever conditions change.

It lists the tasks, hazards and controls, and every worker signs on before starting and signs off at the end of the shift. The main hazards are silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, being hit by heavy equipment, road traffic and public entering the work area.

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FLHA example: concrete slab pour

This is a complete FLHA for concrete slab pour, with 9 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA)

Pour a concrete slab · Concreting · Example

Document FLHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Plan truck and pump access, checking for overhead power lines and soft ground	Contact with overhead power lines Being hit by heavy equipment Road traffic	Critical	Ask the utility to de-energize, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Elimination Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Substitution Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all equipment and people outside it. Engineering (guarding) Keep to the provincial limits of approach and contact the utility before working near lines. Administrative Use a dedicated spotter whenever equipment moves or raises anything near lines. Administrative Treat all lines as live. If equipment touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Administrative Separate people and equipment with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways. Engineering (guarding) Use equipment with working backup alarms, cameras and lights. Engineering Being hit by heavy equipment: see step 4 for the full controls Administrative Do the work at low-traffic times, or close the road or lane with approval. Elimination Put solid barriers between the work and traffic where speeds are high, not just cones. Engineering (guarding) Road traffic: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
2	Set up traffic control at the site entry and a spotter for reversing trucks	Road traffic Public entering the work area	Critical	Do the work at low-traffic times, or close the road or lane with approval. Elimination Put solid barriers between the work and traffic where speeds are high, not just cones. Engineering (guarding) Use a truck-mounted attenuator or buffer vehicle on high speed roads. Engineering Set up signs and cones to your provincial traffic control manual, with trained traffic control persons. Administrative Get a road occupancy permit from the municipality or road authority before you start. Administrative Park work vehicles to shield the work zone, with beacons on. Administrative Wear high-visibility clothing to CSA Z96. PPE Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Engineering (guarding) Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. Engineering (guarding) Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Engineering Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Administrative Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower buckets and booms, remove ladders and lock tools away. Administrative Use a spotter when moving equipment or materials across public paths. Administrative	Medium
3	Check formwork, edge forms, rebar and caps on starter bars before the pour	Formwork collapse Impalement on rebar	High	Keep people out from under the formwork during the pour. Engineering (guarding) Use formwork designed by a competent person or engineer for the load. Engineering A competent person inspects the formwork and props before the pour and signs it off. Administrative Follow the design for prop spacing, bracing and pour rate. Administrative Watch for movement or bulging during the pour and stop if it happens. Administrative Do not strip formwork until the concrete reaches the strength the engineer requires. Administrative Wear a hard hat, safety boots and gloves. PPE Cover or cap all exposed bar ends with approved caps or covers. Engineering Bend bars over where the design allows. Engineering Use edge protection near starter bars so nobody can fall onto them. Engineering Keep walkways clear of exposed bars and mark the hazard. Administrative Wear gloves, safety glasses and safety boots when handling bar. PPE	Medium
4	Set up the pump with outriggers on pads and an exclusion zone around the boom and hose. Never open a line or clear a blockage until the pressure is released	Being hit by heavy equipment Contact with overhead power lines	Critical	Separate people and equipment with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways. Engineering (guarding) Use equipment with working backup alarms, cameras and lights. Engineering Have a site traffic plan showing equipment routes, loading areas and pedestrian paths. Administrative Use a spotter when backing up or working near people. Administrative Make eye contact with the operator before going near. Stay out of the swing radius. Administrative Operators are trained and competent for each machine. Administrative Do a pre-start check on each machine every day and record it. Administrative Wear hi-vis clothing and a hard hat. PPE Contact with overhead power lines: see step 1 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
5	Place concrete, keeping clear of the hose end and wearing gloves and boots	Wet concrete and cement burns Lifting and carrying heavy loads Slips and trips	High	Use long-handled tools and pumps to cut down contact. Engineering Wash concrete off skin straight away with clean water. Administrative Have clean water and eye wash at the pour. Administrative Wear waterproof gloves, long sleeves and rubber boots with pants worn over the top. PPE Wear safety glasses or goggles to stop splashes. PPE Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Elimination Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitution Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or equipment instead of carrying by hand. Engineering Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Elimination Run leads and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Engineering Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Engineering Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Administrative Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Administrative	Medium
6	Vibrate and screed, keeping power leads out of wet concrete	Hand-arm and whole-body vibration Electric shock from cords and power tools Repetitive work and awkward postures	High	Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Substitution Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Engineering Limit trigger time on high-vibration tools and rotate workers. Administrative Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Administrative Report tingling, numbness or white fingers early. Administrative Use battery-powered tools where you can. Substitution Use GFCI protection on all temporary power and portable tools. Engineering Keep cords off the ground and out of water, using stands or hooks. Engineering Check cords, plugs and tools before every use. Tag out and remove anything damaged. Administrative Do not use tools in rain or wet areas unless they are rated for it. Administrative Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitution Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering Repetitive work and awkward postures: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
7	Finish the surface, taking breaks in heat and sun	Heat stress Sun exposure (UV) Repetitive work and awkward postures	High	Schedule heavy work for the cooler part of the day. Elimination Provide shade over work and rest areas, and fans or cooling in attics. Engineering Supply cool drinking water close by and drink a cup every 15 to 20 minutes. Administrative Take regular rest breaks in the shade, more often as it gets hotter. Administrative Let new and returning workers build up to full work in the heat over about a week. Administrative Plan outdoor work for early morning or late afternoon when UV is lower. Elimination Put shade covers over fixed work areas. Engineering Check the UV index each day. Use sun protection when it is 3 or higher. Administrative Check your skin regularly and see a doctor about any new or changing spots. Administrative Wear a broad-brim hat or hard hat brim, long sleeves, sunglasses and SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. PPE Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitution Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Engineering Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Administrative Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Administrative	Medium
8	Wash out the pump and trucks only in the set wash out area, away from drains	Wet concrete and cement burns Poor housekeeping and waste	Medium	Wet concrete and cement burns: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Elimination Put waste bins and chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE	Low
9	Cut control joints the next day with water suppression	Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles Saw cuts and kickback Loud noise	Critical	Order materials cut to size, or use low-dust methods such as score and snap or a block splitter. Substitution Cut outdoors or in a separate area, with other people well away and upwind. Engineering (guarding) Use water on the blade or on-tool dust extraction connected to a HEPA vacuum. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Administrative Have a silica exposure control plan where your province requires one. Administrative Wear a fit-tested N95 (or better) respirator. PPE Keep blade guards fitted and working, and use the riving knife on table saws. Engineering Use push sticks and clamps, and support long pieces so they do not pinch the blade. Engineering Use a sharp, undamaged blade made for the material. Administrative Stand to one side of the blade line, out of the kickback path. Administrative Let the blade stop fully before reaching in or putting the saw down. Administrative Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitution Keep noisy equipment away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Engineering (guarding) Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Engineering Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Administrative If you have to shout to be heard 1 metre away, wear hearing protection. Administrative	Medium

PPE

CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195)High-visibility vest (CSA Z96)Chemical-resistant glovesSafety glasses (CSA Z94.3)Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, long sleeves)Hard hat (CSA Z94.1)Work glovesSafety gogglesKnee padsHearing protectionRespirator fit tested to CSA Z94.4 (P100 for dust, or the type the air test calls for)N95 respirator

Plant and equipment

Concrete pump truckPlate tamperHand toolsConcrete saw (cut-off saw)

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the muster point and the first aid attendant for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this FLHA, then sign off at the end of the shift.

Free FLHA template for concrete slab pour

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this FLHA

Pre-start checklist for concrete slab pour

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

FLHA read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Overhead lines identified and safe distances marked
Water suppression or on-tool extraction fitted; respirators fit tested
Exclusion zone and spotter set up for equipment and traffic
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
Weather checked: water, shade and rest breaks planned
First aid attendant, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), high-visibility vest (CSA Z96), chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses (CSA Z94.3)

The safe sequence of work

Plan truck and pump access, checking for overhead power lines and soft ground
Set up traffic control at the site entry and a spotter for reversing trucks
Check formwork, edge forms, rebar and caps on starter bars before the pour
Set up the pump with outriggers on pads and an exclusion zone around the boom and hose. Never open a line or clear a blockage until the pressure is released
Place concrete, keeping clear of the hose end and wearing gloves and boots
Vibrate and screed, keeping power leads out of wet concrete
Finish the surface, taking breaks in heat and sun
Wash out the pump and trucks only in the set wash out area, away from drains
Cut control joints the next day with water suppression

Hazards to watch on concrete slab pour

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 3Formwork collapseFormwork or falsework fails during a concrete pour and collapses with workers on or under it.

Step 3Impalement on rebarA worker falls or trips onto exposed rebar and is impaled or badly cut.

Step 1, 2Road trafficPassing cars and trucks hit workers or plant working on or next to a road.

Step 7Sun exposure (UV)Long hours in the sun cause sunburn, eye damage and skin cancer.

Step 1, 4Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, aerial work platform, crane, dump truck or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.

Step 5, 8Wet concrete and cement burnsWet concrete, mortar and cement burn skin and eyes. Burns can be deep and are often not felt until later.

Highest risk on concrete slab pour: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Canada 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatality becomes unlikely and serious injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Could anyone fall 3 metres or more, or fall any distance into machinery, water, a hazardous substance or through an opening?
Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a fragile roof, skylight or clear roof sheet?
Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?

Why FLHAs get rejected

Prime contractors and COR auditors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

End of shift boxes already say "None" when the form was signed at the start of the shift.
One FLHA reused for days or weeks, or a "review by" date a month away, when the work and conditions change daily.
No time of assessment and no record of any revision, which Alberta s.7(3) requires.
Workers signed that they "read" it, but nothing shows they took part, which Alberta s.8(1) requires.
Work at height with no fall protection plan where the province requires one, or no written rescue procedure for workers using fall arrest.
Permits or locates required on site but no permit or ticket numbers recorded.
No re-assessment entry after an obvious change such as weather, a new task or a new crew member.

Rules by province for concrete slab pour

Province or territory	Key local rule	Regulator
Ontario	Fall protection (O. Reg. 213/91 s.26) applies at a fall of more than 3 m, more than 1.2 m where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, and at any height into operating machinery, water or other liquid, a hazardous substance, or through an opening.	Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
British Columbia	Fall protection is required where a fall of 3 m or more may occur (s.11.2). A written fall protection plan is required at 7.5 m or more where there are no permanent guardrails (s.11.3).	WorkSafeBC
Alberta	A hazard assessment must be done before work begins, and before a new work site is built (OHS Code s.7(1)). The results must be written down with the controls (s.7(2)).	Alberta Occupational Health and Safety
Quebec	Guardrails (Safety Code s.2.9.1, as amended by Decret 63-2025) are needed where a worker could fall into liquid or a hazardous substance, onto moving parts or dangerous equipment, 1.2 m or more when using a vehicle, 1.5 m or more when handling a load, and more than 3 m in all other cases.	CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'equite, de la sante et de la securite du travail)
Manitoba	A prime contractor is required whenever more than one employer or self employed person works on the site at the same time (Act s.7).	Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Branch
Saskatchewan	An occupational health committee is required at 10 or more workers of one employer (Act s.3-22).	Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, OHS Division
Nova Scotia	Workers must be trained in fall protection before using it or working in, supervising or planning work in a fall protection area, with a refresher at least every 3 years (WHSR s.21.19).	Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch (OHS)
New Brunswick	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above water or the nearest permanent safe level (Reg 91-191 s.49(1)(a)(i)).	WorkSafeNB
Newfoundland and Labrador	Give written notice to the minister before starting a construction project that will last 30 days or more, with the site, location, type of work and number of workers (Regs s.8).	Government Services, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Prince Edward Island	Fall protection is needed from 3 m above the nearest safe surface or water (Fall Protection Regulations s.2(1)(a)).	Workers Compensation Board of PEI, OHS Division
Yukon	Every employer must do hazard assessments with the committee, representative or workers, and redo them after significant changes or incidents (Regs s.1.03.01).	Yukon Workers' Safety and Compensation Board
Northwest Territories	Fall protection is needed from 3 m, or lower if there is a risk of injury (s.119(1)). Guardrails are needed for falls of 1.2 m to 3 m at permanent work sites (s.119(2)).	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)
Nunavut	No 911. To reach the RCMP in an emergency, dial your community's first three digits then 1111 (Iqaluit: 979-1111). Put the local fire, ambulance and RCMP numbers on every FLHA.	Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC)

Questions

Do I need an FLHA for concrete slab pour?

Who signs the FLHA?

The supervisor and every worker take part in the assessment and sign on before work starts, then sign off at the end of the shift. Review it and re-sign whenever the task or conditions change.

How long do I keep it?

Keep completed hazard assessments for at least 3 years (COR auditors sample the last 12 months). Review this FLHA and re-sign whenever the task, crew or conditions change.

What PPE is needed for concrete slab pour?

Usually CSA green triangle safety boots (CSA Z195), High-visibility vest (CSA Z96), Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety glasses (CSA Z94.3), Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, long sleeves), Hard hat (CSA Z94.1), Work gloves, Safety goggles, Knee pads, Hearing protection, Respirator fit tested to CSA Z94.4 (P100 for dust, or the type the air test calls for), N95 respirator. The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkOverhead Power Lines Toolbox talkExtension Leads and Power Tools Toolbox talkSilica Dust Toolbox talkHearing Protection and Noise

Blank FLHA template: free FLHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA)