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A concrete floor surface is typically finished using hand tools e.g. trowels, screeds and floats.

• Trowels, screeds and floats are used to level and finish a concrete surface as specified by a building designer.

Tasks associated with the finishing of a concrete surface using trowels, screeds and floats include:

• Assessment of work environment for hazards and risks e.g. overhead services;
• Protection of exposed steel reinforcement;
• Handling of cementitious materials e.g. concrete;
• Pre-operational inspection of trowel, screeds and floats;
• Finishing of concrete surface using trowels, screeds and floats;
• Working at heights whilst finishing concrete;
• Establishment of working platforms e.g. scaffolding.

Control measures to eliminate or minimise the risk of death, injury or illness to persons are addressed in the safe work method statement as per the following sections.

• Consultation with employees.
• Generation of hazards.
• Protection of exposed steel reinforcement bars.
• Faulty or defective trowels, screeds and/or floats.
• Alteration or modification of a trowel, screed and/or float.
• Overhead electrical services and electrical parts within an exclusion zone.
• Controlling exposure to cementitious materials.
• Working at a height when finishing concrete using trowels, screeds and/or floats.
• Manual handling tasks.
• Personal protective equipment requirements.
• Training requirements.
• Housekeeping requirements.
• Failure to monitor controls.
• Risk matrix and descriptors.
• Additional hazards, risks and controls.
• Approval and change management form.
• Sign-off for concreting services - Finishing of concrete with trowels, screeds and floats.