This Power Trowel & Screed Operation SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives your team a clear method for finishing freshly placed concrete with vibrating screeds, bull floats and walk-behind or ride-on power trowels. It covers checking the blade guard ring and controls, confirming the slab will bear weight, keeping petrol units out of enclosed areas, screeding and trowelling technique, progressing through pans and blades, isolating the engine before adjustments and refuelling safely. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Concreters and concrete finishing contractors
Builders pouring slabs and floors
Civil and commercial construction contractors
Industrial flooring specialists
Landscapers laying driveways and paths
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Entanglement in rotating blades or the rotor
Being struck by, or losing control of, a ride-on trowel
Strain from kneeling, crouching and reaching while edging and bull floating
Slips, trips and falls on wet or curing slabs, or breaking through the surface
Noise-induced hearing loss from engine noise
Hand-arm and whole-body vibration
Carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes in enclosed areas
Skin and eye irritation or burns from wet concrete
Crush or pinch injuries adjusting blades, pans or pitch
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from authorisation and equipment condition to the blade guard ring, fluids, slab readiness, edges and services, ventilation, ride-on controls and PPE
A 12-step operating procedure covering set testing, screeding, walk-behind and ride-on technique, guard ring use, blade progression, barricading, breaks and refuelling
Isolation and energy control for stopping the engine, waiting for blades to stop and disconnecting the spark plug lead or fuel and battery supply
6 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for entanglement, being struck, fume exposure, breaking through the slab and slips or falls
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Concreting SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover ride-on power trowels?
Yes. It covers walk-behind and ride-on power trowels, plus vibrating screeds and bull floats.
Can petrol trowels be used indoors?
No. The SOP prohibits running petrol or diesel trowels or screeds in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas because of carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes.
Does it cover pouring or pumping concrete?
No. Pouring and placing concrete, concrete pumps and lines, and saw cutting or core drilling cured slabs are covered by their own SOPs.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
