As you are aware the FIA has been liaising for some time with the NSW regulator, SafeWork NSW, on the revised Formwork Code of Practice 2021, following your feedback and consultation to review and change the previously gazetted Code.

We write to let you know that the revised code has now been gazetted again, Friday 26th March 2021 and it is now a legal document following the Minister’s signing. If you do not follow it, the safety regulator can use it as evidence of how the specific risk could have been addressed. If you haven’t addressed the risk in the same or better way, then it will be used to prove you breached the safety legislation.

DOWNLOAD THE CODE HERE.

There have been changes to the wording in some areas, but no change to the content or intent of the publication. We thank all members that provided feedback and members of the FIA Board who worked tirelessly to advocate for changes to the wording to improve clarification and understanding of some clauses.

Whilst not all of the requests for changed wording and clarity were successful, the FIA Board is satisfied that the new document is much better and meets the needs of our industry. We have agreed and will work with SafeWork NSW to provide a series of workshops and sessions to help NSW Formworkers understand and interpret the new gazetted code. Please look out for these, which will be posted on the FIA and SWNSW website.

The FIA will continue to work with SWNSW, SafeWork Australia and Standards Australia to advocate and campaign for even further clarity on some terms and wording and to standardise the Codes across the country.

If you would like to discuss the new code or any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.