Temporary Works Checklist

Temporary Works Checklist

Fast-Fact Summary Box

• Template Type: Operational Safety & Engineering Control Checklist
• Governing Framework: OHSA, O. Reg. 213/91 & Engineering Review Standards
• Target Trade: Formwork, Shoring & Site Supervisors
• Primary Operational Risk: Design responsibility, inspection sign-off, load limits, and removal authorisation

Scope Boundaries (Who/What it applies to)

This checklist establishes the mandatory safety, engineering, and administrative boundaries for all temporary works on Ontario industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction projects. It applies directly to formwork subcontractors, shoring contractors, and site supervisors managing temporary structures. The scope covers all temporary load-bearing systems, including concrete formwork, falsework, vertical shoring, lateral earth support systems, and access scaffolding. It governs the entire lifecycle of these systems, from initial engineering design and load-limit calculations to active-phase inspections and final removal authorisation.

Mandatory Deliverables & Administrative Windows

To maintain structural integrity and regulatory compliance, the following deliverables must be executed within the specified administrative windows:

• Engineered Drawings: Stamped design drawings by a licensed Ontario Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) must be submitted to the constructor at least 14 calendar days prior to the scheduled erection of any temporary works.
• Pre-Pour Inspection: A formal inspection report signed and sealed by the design engineer must be delivered to the site supervisor within 24 hours prior to any concrete placement or loading.
• Daily Inspection Logs: Completed by a competent person before the start of each shift, documenting structural alignment, connection integrity, and foundation stability.
• Stripping Authorisation: Written, signed clearance from the design engineer must be obtained before any formwork or shoring is struck, dismantled, or modified.

Ontario Regulatory Compliance Notes

All temporary works must strictly comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects). Under these regulations, the design, erection, and dismantling of formwork and shoring must be supervised by competent persons and verified by a Professional Engineer.

Furthermore, all contract administration, progress billings, and closeout procedures associated with temporary works packages must align with the January 1, 2026 Ontario Construction Act amendments:

• Proper Invoices: Invoices submitted for temporary works are legally deemed proper unless the owner delivers a formal written notice of deficiency within 7 days of receipt. Missing this 7-day window forfeits the owner's right to dispute the invoice's structure and immediately triggers the 28-day prompt-payment timeline.
• Annual Holdback Release: For contracts extending beyond one year, owners must publish a Notice of Annual Release of Holdback (Form 6) on an electronic construction trade news website within 14 days after each contract anniversary. Accrued basic holdback must be paid between day 60 and day 74 after publication, provided no liens are preserved.
• Holdback Refusal Restrictions: The former section 27.1 notice-of-non-payment mechanism for refusing holdback distribution due to deficient or incomplete work is repealed. Holdback withholding is strictly restricted to formal contract abandonment, termination, or preserved lien risk.
• Adjudication Timeline: Parties have a strict 90-day window following contract completion, abandonment, or termination to initiate interim binding adjudication through ODACC or a qualified private adjudicator to resolve payment or scope disputes.

Form/Sign-off Requirements

• P.Eng. Design Seal: Stamped and signed engineering drawings must be physically or digitally attached to this checklist before site mobilisation.
• Pre-Load Verification: Initials of both the site supervisor and the design engineer on the pre-pour checklist, confirming that the erected system matches the approved drawings.
• Load Limit Acknowledgement: Signed acknowledgement from the concrete placement supervisor confirming awareness of maximum rate of pour and height of discharge limits.
• Stripping Permit: Signed and dated stripping authorisation form from the structural engineer of record, verifying concrete compressive strength meets stripping requirements.
• Record Retention: This completed checklist, along with all associated engineering reviews, daily logs, and concrete strength test results, must be retained in the project database for a minimum of 6 years.

Official Verification Sources

• Ontario Construction Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30
• O. Reg. 304/18 (Procedures and Forms)