Concreting · United States

JHA for concrete slab pour

By SiteSortedBuilt from OSHA standards and guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for concrete slab pour before you start.

A JHA breaks the job into steps, lists the hazards in each step and the controls that protect the crew, and the crew signs it. 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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JHA example: concrete slab pour

This is a complete JHA 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.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Pour a concrete slab · Concreting · Example

Document JHA-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 (fiberglass) ladders near any power lines. Substitution Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or warning lines and keep all equipment and people outside it. Engineering (guarding) Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines up to 50 kV once the utility confirms the voltage, more for higher voltages, and 20 feet when the voltage is unknown (29 CFR 1926.1408). Administrative Use a dedicated spotter whenever equipment moves or raises anything near lines. Administrative Treat all lines as energized. If equipment touches a line, the operator stays in the cab and everyone else keeps 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 backing trucks; trucks with a blocked rear view need a backup alarm or a spotter (29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4))	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 work zone signs and cones to MUTCD Part 6, with trained flaggers. Administrative Get any permit needed from the city, county or state DOT before you start. Administrative Park work vehicles to shield the work zone, with beacons on. Administrative Wear ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 high-visibility clothing. 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 unauthorized entry". Administrative Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower plant, remove ladders and lock tools away. Administrative Use a spotter when moving plant or materials across public paths. Administrative	Medium
3	Check formwork, edge forms, rebar and impalement-rated caps or covers on vertical rebar 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 shoring before, during and after the pour (29 CFR 1926.703(b)). Administrative Follow the formwork drawings on site for shore spacing, bracing and pour rate (29 CFR 1926.703(a)). 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 Guard all protruding rebar to remove the impalement risk (29 CFR 1926.701(b)). Engineering Bend bars over where the design allows. Engineering Use guardrails or covers near vertical rebar so nobody can fall onto it. 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 authorized for each machine. Forklift and telehandler operators are trained, evaluated and certified by the employer (29 CFR 1910.178(l), via 1926.602(d)). 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 plant 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 cords 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 cords out of wet concrete and plugged into GFCI-protected outlets	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 GFCIs on all 120-volt, 15, 20 and 30 amp temporary receptacles, or a written assured equipment grounding conductor program run by a competent person with recorded tests (29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)). 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 In California, Washington, Oregon and Maryland, follow the state heat illness rule: written plan, shade, water, rest and high-heat procedures. 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 dumpsters and waste 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 with a saw that feeds water to the blade (29 CFR 1926.1153 Table 1). Outdoors a walk-behind saw needs no respirator; a handheld saw needs APF 10 after 4 hours a shift, and any saw used indoors needs APF 10	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 wet cutting or on-tool dust collection with a HEPA vacuum, as set out in Table 1 of 29 CFR 1926.1153. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Administrative Have a written exposure control plan and a competent person for silica (29 CFR 1926.1153). Administrative Workers who must wear a respirator 30 or more days a year get a free medical exam every 3 years (29 CFR 1926.1153(h)). Administrative Wear the respirator Table 1 lists for the task: APF 10 (a fit-tested N95 or half mask) for most tasks, APF 25 (such as a loose-fitting PAPR) for tuckpointing with a handheld grinder for more than 4 hours a shift. 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 plant 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 at arm's length, wear hearing protection. Administrative	Medium

PPE

Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413)High-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 (Type R near roadways)Chemical-resistant glovesSafety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, long sleeves)Hard hat (ANSI Z89.1)Work glovesSafety goggles (ANSI Z87.1)Knee padsHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges)N95 respirator

Plant and equipment

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

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aid / cpr person for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this JHA.

Page 1 of the free concrete slab pour JHA template: business details, job steps with hazards, risk ratings and controls

Free JHA 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 JHA

Pre-start checklist for concrete slab pour

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

JHA 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 / CPR person, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), high-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 class 2 or 3 (type r near roadways), chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)

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 backing trucks; trucks with a blocked rear view need a backup alarm or a spotter (29 CFR 1926.601(b)(4))
Check formwork, edge forms, rebar and impalement-rated caps or covers on vertical rebar 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 cords out of wet concrete and plugged into GFCI-protected outlets
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 with a saw that feeds water to the blade (29 CFR 1926.1153 Table 1). Outdoors a walk-behind saw needs no respirator; a handheld saw needs APF 10 after 4 hours a shift, and any saw used indoors needs APF 10

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 lift, 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 United States 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):

Will anyone work 6 feet or more above a lower level?
Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a skylight, fiberglass panel or other fragile roofing?
Will you use a scaffold or rolling tower?

Why JHAs get rejected

General contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

Generic steps such as "work safely" or "use PPE" with no task-specific hazards or controls.
No OSHA standards referenced for the hazards that have them, such as fall protection, ladders, scaffolds or silica.
No competent person named for fall protection, excavation, scaffolds or silica where those hazards exist.
Equipment listed without inspection requirements, and no training listed for the people using it.
Respirators listed with no respiratory protection program, medical clearance or fit test.
Controls rely only on PPE when engineering controls such as guardrails, wet cutting or extraction are feasible.
No crew sign-off, or no date and revision when the job has changed.

Questions

Do I need a JHA for concrete slab pour?

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for concrete slab pour before you start.

Who signs the JHA?

The supervisor or competent person who prepared it signs, and every crew member signs to show they were trained on the hazards and controls before the job starts. Many general contractors also sign to accept it.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this JHA on site during the job, and keep it with the training and inspection records for at least 1 year after the job (longer if your state plan or general contractor requires it). OSHA does not set a retention period for JHAs themselves.

What PPE is needed for concrete slab pour?

Usually Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), High-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 (Type R near roadways), Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, long sleeves), Hard hat (ANSI Z89.1), Work gloves, Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1), Knee pads, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges), 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 JHA template: free JHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · Canada (FLHA)