Erecting and Striking Proprietary Formwork in the Workplace — Cskills Awards, part of the NOCN Group National Vocational Qualification Construction & Building Services Revision
This element covers the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely erect and dismantle proprietary formwork systems on construction sit
Topic Synopsis
This element covers the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely erect and dismantle proprietary formwork systems on construction sites. Learners must interpret working drawings, method statements, and risk assessments to assemble formwork accurately to specified lines, levels, and dimensions, ensuring structural integrity during concrete pours, before systematically striking it without damaging the structure or components.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Health and safety regulations: Understand the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM), risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents on site.
- Setting out and levelling: Use of dumpy levels, laser levels, and string lines to transfer design levels from drawings to the ground, ensuring accurate excavation and foundation placement.
- Groundworks and drainage: Techniques for excavating trenches, laying drainage pipes to correct falls, backfilling, and compacting to avoid future settlement or water damage.
- Concrete operations: Mixing, placing, compacting, and curing concrete to achieve specified strength and durability, including understanding of slump tests and cube testing.
- Plant and machinery operation: Safe use of compactors, dumpers, excavators, and concrete mixers, including pre-use checks and maintaining exclusion zones.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- Gather a variety of authenticated evidence types: annotated photographs, witness testimonies from supervisors, and copies of signed checklists to demonstrate competence holistically.
- Reference relevant legislation and guidance in your write-ups, such as the Work at Height Regulations, CDM 2015, and manufacturer's instructions, to show professional awareness.
- Clearly cross-map your evidence to the performance and knowledge criteria of the unit, using a portfolio matrix to ensure all learning outcomes are explicitly covered.
- For the NVQ portfolio, photograph each stage: setting out, formwork assembly, pouring, and safely struck formwork to provide clear evidence of correct sequence.
- In your write-up, always cross-reference the specific contract specification clauses and relevant health and safety regulations (e.g., Work at Height Regulations, CDM) to demonstrate compliance.
- When describing time management, include examples of how you programmed tasks to allow for concrete curing before striking, and how you coordinated with other trades.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to inspect formwork components for defects, distortion, or contamination before use, leading to misalignment or failure during concreting.
- Incorrect sequencing of striking operations, causing damage to green concrete or imposing unsafe loads on partially set structures.
- Neglecting to secure formwork with sufficient ties and bracing, resulting in movement or blow-out under hydrostatic pressure.
- Misinterpreting setting-out information, leading to formwork erected out of alignment or at incorrect levels.
- Omitting to apply release agent evenly or using a contaminated agent, causing concrete surface defects and difficulty during striking.
- Striking formwork too early before concrete has gained sufficient strength, resulting in spalling or collapse of the formed element.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating correct interpretation of project documentation, including drawings, method statements, and risk assessments, to plan the work sequence.
- Award credit for showing accurate selection, inspection, and preparation of proprietary formwork components, ensuring they are free from damage and compatible with the pour design.
- Award credit for evidence of erecting formwork to required tolerances, with adequate bracing and alignment, and conducting pre-pour checks with the site team.
- Award credit for accurately interpreting and applying information from drawings, specifications, and method statements when erecting formwork.
- Award credit for demonstrating correct selection and preparation of proprietary formwork components, including accessories, to match the required concrete pour dimensions and finish.
- Award credit for consistently following safe systems of work, including proper use of PPE, manual handling techniques, and compliance with COSHH for any release agents.
- Award credit for striking formwork in a manner that prevents damage to green concrete and allows safe re-use of the system, leaving the work area clean and tidy.