First, describe the work and worksite
A finishing crew will manually strike off and bull float plastic concrete on an outdoor building slab on grade after the placing crew’s handover. The crew uses supported routes, coordinated straightedge handling and the selected float’s instructions; the operation ends at controlled handover for the later finish and curing work. This fictional learning example describes planned controls; it records no actual inspection or work authorization.
- The placement lead and finisher agree on the work front, specified level and finish sequence; pressure to keep pace must not replace safe access or relief.
- The complete reach of long handles, nearby energized conductors, surrounding traffic and washing facilities are checked before finishing starts.
- This is partial coverage of concrete placement and finishing. It excludes pumping, consolidation, power trowels, elevated slabs, cosmetic cured-wall patching and later surface grinding.
Questions before work
- How will finishers reach the advancing work front without walking unstable forms or stepping on loose reinforcement?
- What electrical boundary applies to the full travel and storage reach of the assembled bull-float handle?
- Who coordinates the straightedge movements and pauses work when worker footing or recovery becomes inadequate?
Build the analysis one step at a time
What will the worker do? How could someone be harmed? What prevents or reduces that exposure? Who checks the control, and when?
1. Receive the finishing work front
Hazard: An unclear handover can put finishers among moving discharge hoses or onto an unsupported route.
Control: Finishing lead agrees with the placing lead on the released work front, required level and finishing progression. Separate hose and placing activity from the finishing positions and identify where workers can stand, turn and leave the slab area.
Verification: Leads confirm the work boundary and walk the planned finishing routes.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Manual finishing begins with access and coordination, not just concrete timing.
2. Check tools, reach and electrical clearance
Hazard: A loose handle joint can fail; a long float handle can contact an energized conductor.
Control: Inspect the straightedge, float, handle sections and connections against their instructions. Check the full handle sweep and storage positions against electrical hazards. Apply required nonconductive-handle protection where contact is possible and obtain the employer’s electrical safeguards; a handle material does not justify reaching into a power-line hazard.
Verification: Finishing lead verifies tool condition and the electrical boundary before assembly and use.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The hazard follows the whole handle through every push, return and carry movement.
3. Establish footing and exposure protection
Hazard: Slip-prone footing and wet concrete inside boots or gloves can injure workers during sustained work.
Control: Provide supported work positions and clear transitions around the advancing slab. Select cement-resistant gloves, footwear and clothing with eye protection; make clean water and contamination response available. Replace contaminated equipment and wash exposed skin promptly without waiting for pain.
Verification: Crew lead checks footing and confirms workers can access washing and replacement protection.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Cement trapped against skin can continue damaging it during a routine finishing pass.
4. Strike off with coordinated movements
Hazard: Unequal straightedge pulls and repeated deep reach can strain workers or pull one off balance.
Control: Assigned workers coordinate the manual screed’s start, direction and repositioning from the agreed stable positions. Use manageable reaches and mechanical handling assistance for awkward tools where needed; schedule relief and pause rather than chasing an inaccessible work front.
Verification: Finishing lead observes a pass and corrects footing, coordination or excessive reach before continuing.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The work method should match the available stance and worker capacity.
5. Bull float from the released positions
Hazard: The extended handle can strike a coworker or tempt a worker to cross fresh concrete and obstacles.
Control: Operator uses the selected float in the specified finishing sequence from stable positions, with the handle travel area kept clear. Reposition tools and workers deliberately; retain electrical separation and avoid improvised handle extensions or unsupported shortcuts.
Verification: Operator checks the next handle sweep; lead confirms separation and safe repositioning.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A long reach must remain controlled when the work front or nearby crew moves.
6. Clean tools and hand over the slab
Hazard: Uncontrolled washout, abandoned long handles or early access can create later slip and contact hazards.
Control: Clean tools at the designated contained location using the planned method and suitable splash protection. Store handle sections securely outside routes. Protect the slab and brief the later finish/curing crew on access, condition and outstanding actions; do not treat this stage as a release for powered finishing.
Verification: Lead checks tool storage, collected wash waste and the receiving crew’s handover.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The manual pass ends with protected access and a clear next-operation boundary.
What does a useful control look like?
| Needs improvement | More useful for this scenario |
|---|---|
| Use good lifting technique and work fast. | Finishing lead selects manageable straightedge reaches, coordinates movement from stable positions and arranges relief before sustained effort degrades control. |
| Use an insulated handle. | Lead checks the full handle travel and storage envelope, required nonconductive protection and the employer’s electrical safeguards before use. |
Decisions that change the analysis
Does this duplicate the existing concrete finishing or power-trowel example?
No. The current concrete finishing example patches and sacks a cured wall, while the power-trowel example uses a powered rotating machine. This resource covers the manual straightedge and long-handle workflow on fresh ground-slab concrete.
What must the crew record for actual use?
Record the placement-to-finishing boundary, access and electrical findings, selected tool identities and handle condition, crew coordination and relief arrangements, cement-protection and washing provisions, actual checks and the later finishing/curing handover.
Agree when the crew will pause
- A work-front change removes supported footing or brings the discharge operation into finishing positions.
- The long-handle electrical boundary, tool connections or handle travel area cannot be maintained.
- Wet cement reaches skin, worker fatigue impairs coordinated movement or timely relief is unavailable.
After a pause, correct the condition, reassess the work, and obtain required authorization before restarting. Keep unresolved actions visible.
Download the worked example and free template
No account required. The worked example contains planned controls. The blank template is for your own work; neither includes fabricated inspection results, signatures or approval.
Your editable working copy
Build and download your draft
Start blank or load the learning example. Replace its assumptions with your actual conditions and involve the people doing the work. Your entries stay in this browser tab; download a copy before leaving or refreshing.
1. Describe your work and site
2. Work through each task
Describe an observable step, how someone could be harmed, and the control that acts on that hazard. Identify who checks it and what evidence is needed.
3. Record changes, checks, and open actions
Walk the work area, review with the crew, and resolve missing controls. Follow the required approval process. This tool does not judge completeness, verify signatures or authorize work.
Open the downloaded file in a browser, then use Print → Save as PDF for a printable copy.
Training needs to confirm
- Instruction in the selected straightedge and bull-float operation, coordinated handling, stable work positions and the employer’s electrical separation arrangements.
- Wet-cement skin and eye protection, contamination removal and symptom reporting, together with work rotation and relief for sustained manual finishing.
Confirm applicable qualifications, task instruction and actual training evidence for the people assigned. Related toolbox talks support toolbox talks; they do not establish competence.
Common questions
Can this example be used as a JSA?
Adapt its Task | Hazard | Control analysis to the employer’s JSA format and the actual work. Confirm the assigned checks and record real findings before relying on the plan.
What changes if the project requires an AHA?
Use the project’s governing AHA format, risk method, supporting records and acceptance process. The published formwork AHA illustrates that additional structure; this JHA does not establish an AHA risk rating or acceptance.
Are these resources part of a paid course?
This walkthrough, browser draft builder and downloads are free public resources, separate from Academy course enrollment.
References and source note
- OSHA 1926.702(h) Bull-float handle protection
- OSHA 1926.416 Electrical safeguards
- OSHA Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement
Original instructional scenario with planned controls. Primary references support hazard planning. Use actual equipment and product instructions, project design and employer requirements to establish field criteria. This example supplies no inspection findings or work authorization. Use actual equipment instructions and site requirements alongside these references. Reference review: October 9, 2026.