Pool Concreting & Shotcrete SWMS

Pool concreting and shotcrete covers the placement of concrete and sprayed concrete (shotcrete or gunite) to form the shell of a concrete swimming pool — spraying or placing the concrete over the reinforcement to build the pool shell. It combines the concrete work with the specific hazards of shotcrete: the high-pressure spray and the nozzle reaction and rebound, the respirable crystalline silica in the concrete and from any cutting, the alkaline wet concrete that burns skin, and the work in and around the open pool shell. This document is written on the basis that pool concreting and shotcrete is carried out by competent operators with the shotcrete, silica, wet-concrete and shell controls in place.

Pool concreting and shotcrete is carried out in connection with the construction work Code of Practice, with the high-pressure shotcrete equipment operated safely, respirable crystalline silica controlled at the source, the alkaline wet concrete and shotcrete managed against skin and eye burns, and the work in and around the open pool shell controlled. The shotcrete spray and rebound, the silica, the wet concrete, and the shell are the defining hazards. This document coordinates the shotcrete, silica, wet-concrete and shell controls so the pool concreting and shotcrete is carried out safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Engineering: operate the high-pressure shotcrete equipment safely — trained nozzle operators, managing the nozzle reaction, and clearing blockages by a safe procedure so a blocked line cannot release under pressure.
2. 2PPE: face, eye and impact protection against the shotcrete spray and rebound, in addition to the standard PPE, and exclude other workers from the spray and rebound zone.
3. 3Engineering: control respirable crystalline silica from cutting, grinding, coring or shotcrete at the source — water suppression or on-tool dust extraction — never dry-cutting uncontrolled, with respiratory protection as required, recognising the workplace exposure standard for silica reduces on 1 December 2026.
4. 4PPE: protect skin and eyes against wet concrete, shotcrete and mortar, which are alkaline and can cause burns and dermatitis, with waterproof gloves, protective clothing and prompt washing of any contact.
5. 5Engineering: prevent falls into the open pool shell and excavation with barriers, edge protection and covers, and provide safe access into and out of the shell.
6. 6Engineering: use mechanical aids and correct technique for the concrete, hose and equipment, and control noise from the shotcrete pump and plant.
7. 7Engineering: maintain plant-and-pedestrian separation around the work with a spotter, and exclude workers from the operating plant and its hazard zone.
8. 8Administrative: manage the concrete pump and delivery plant with the plant controls and separation, and confirm the shell is formed correctly.
9. 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001), with the pool-construction, plumbing, electrical, gasfitting, confined space and any other competencies and licences required for the work.
10. 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
11. 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
12. 12PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, high-visibility clothing, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
13. 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.
14. 14Administrative: ensure each part of the work is carried out by the appropriately licensed or competent person — pool builder, licensed plumber, licensed electrician and licensed gasfitter as relevant — under the applicable state or territory licensing scheme, with compliance certification where required.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A pool builder is engaged to shotcrete the shell of a concrete swimming pool. The high-pressure shotcrete equipment is operated safely by trained nozzle operators, managing the nozzle reaction, with blockages cleared by a safe procedure so a blocked line cannot release under pressure. Face, eye and impact protection against the shotcrete spray and rebound is worn, and other workers excluded from the spray and rebound zone. Respirable crystalline silica from the concrete and any cutting is controlled at the source with water suppression or on-tool extraction, never dry-cutting uncontrolled, with respiratory protection as required, recognising the silica exposure standard reduces on 1 December 2026. The alkaline wet concrete and shotcrete are managed against skin and eye burns with waterproof gloves and protective clothing and prompt washing. Falls into the open pool shell are prevented with barriers and safe access. Mechanical aids are used for the concrete and hose, and noise controlled. The concrete pump and delivery plant are managed with separation. The shell is formed correctly, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — Section 291 high risk construction work and the SWMS preparation and review duties, and the excavation, confined space and electrical provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The swimming pool safety standards AS 1926.1, AS 1926.2 and AS 1926.3, the electrical Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000, the plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 for gas, and the hazardous chemicals and silica requirements, are called up by the relevant building, plumbing, electrical, gas and safety legislation, together with the National Construction Code and local council requirements.
• Pool construction, plumbing, electrical and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's licensing schemes, with electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician and gas work by a licensed gasfitter, and compliance certification required for notifiable work; pool safety barrier requirements apply under state and territory pool-safety laws.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the high risk construction work, excavation, confined space and electrical provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions