Temporary Floor Shoring Installation and Removal

Date: 2025-10-09

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To provide safety guidelines for the installation and removal of temporary floor shoring, focusing on load capacity, inspection, and emergency procedures.

Introduction

Temporary floor shoring is crucial for supporting loads during construction or demolition. Improper installation or removal can lead to structural failure, injuries, or fatalities. This toolbox talk covers essential safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment.

Key Points

Design and Planning: Shoring systems must be designed by a qualified engineer, especially when exceeding certain heights or span lengths. Detailed design calculations and working drawings should be approved and signed by a civil engineer currently registered in California for all falsework or vertical shoring installations where any of the following conditions exists:
The height, as measured from the top of the sills to the soffit of the superstructure exceeds 14 feet.
Individual horizontal span lengths exceed 16 feet.
Provisions for vehicular or railroad traffic through the falsework or vertical shoring are made. [2]
Load Capacity: Ensure the shoring system can withstand all intended loads during erection, construction, usage, and removal. The minimum total design load for any formwork and shoring shall be not less than 100 pounds per square foot for the combined live and dead load regardless of slab thickness; however, the minimum allowance for live load and formwork shall be not less than 20 pounds per square foot in addition to the weight of the concrete. [2] [2]
Inspection: Regularly inspect shoring equipment before, during, and after concrete placement. Look for damage or weakening, and ensure bracing is correctly installed. Erected shoring shall be inspected by a qualified person during and immediately after pouring concrete. Shoring that is found to be damaged or weakened shall be reinforced or reshored. [4]
Shoring Equipment: Damaged or weakened shoring equipment must be immediately removed and replaced. Vertical shoring equipment must be plumb, with a maximum allowable deviation of 1/8 inch in 3 feet. If this tolerance is exceeded, the shoring equipment must not be used until readjusted within this limit.
Removal Procedures: Shoring equipment must not be released or removed until approval from a qualified engineer has been received. Plan the removal of shoring equipment so that the equipment still in place is not overloaded. [1] [1]

Hazard Identification

Structural Collapse: Serious injuries or fatalities due to failure of the shoring system under load.
Falling Materials: Head injuries, lacerations, or crushing injuries from falling objects or equipment.
Unstable Soil: Shoring failure due to inadequate soil support, leading to collapse.
Improper Installation: Weakened shoring structure, increasing the risk of collapse.

Control Measures

Use a qualified engineer to design the shoring system.: Ensure the design accounts for all anticipated loads and site conditions.
Inspect all shoring equipment before use.: Remove any damaged or weakened components from service.
Ensure proper bracing and connections.: Follow the design specifications for bracing and connection details.
Control access to the shoring area.: Limit access to essential personnel only.
Monitor weather conditions.: Take precautions to prevent weather conditions from changing the load-carrying conditions of the soil below the design minimum. [3]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Hard Hats: Wear hard hats at all times in the shoring area to protect against head injuries from falling objects.
Safety Glasses: Use safety glasses to protect eyes from dust and debris.
Gloves: Wear gloves to protect hands from cuts, abrasions, and chemical exposure.
Steel-toed boots: Wear steel-toed boots to protect feet from crushing injuries.

Real-World Example or Case Study

In 2021, a construction site experienced a partial shoring collapse due to inadequate bracing. Several workers were injured, and work was halted for weeks. A thorough investigation revealed that the shoring system was not installed according to the design specifications, and regular inspections were not conducted. This incident highlights the importance of proper installation, regular inspections, and adherence to design plans.

Emergency Procedures

Stop work immediately if any instability is observed.
Evacuate the area and notify the supervisor.
Inspect the shoring system by a qualified person before resuming work.

Questions and Answers

Here are some common questions related to temporary floor shoring.

Q: What do I do if I see a damaged shore?

A: Immediately report it to your supervisor and replace the damaged shore.

Q: Can I modify the shoring plan in the field?

A: No, any deviations must be approved by the qualified engineer who prepared the plan.

Summary

Recap of main points:

Shoring systems must be designed by a qualified engineer.
Regularly inspect shoring equipment for damage.
Follow proper installation and removal procedures.
Wear appropriate PPE at all times.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.