Product Overview

Summary: This Breakdown Assistance and Towing Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step process for safely managing vehicle breakdowns and towing activities in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect workers, contractors, and the public while maintaining compliance with WHS duties, chain of responsibility obligations, and road transport laws.

Vehicle breakdowns and towing activities expose workers and the public to significant risks, particularly when they occur on public roads, remote locations, or busy work sites. This Breakdown Assistance and Towing SOP provides a structured, repeatable process for assessing the situation, communicating effectively, securing the scene, and carrying out towing operations in a safe and compliant manner. It covers both light and heavy vehicles and is suitable for organisations that operate their own tow vehicles or rely on third‑party roadside assistance providers.

The procedure is designed to support Australian businesses in meeting their WHS obligations and chain of responsibility duties, while minimising disruption to operations. It addresses practical issues such as managing breakdowns in high‑risk environments, controlling traffic around a disabled vehicle, selecting appropriate towing methods and equipment, and ensuring drivers are not pressured into unsafe decisions. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce incident rates, improve response times, and give workers confidence that there is a clear plan to follow whenever a vehicle breaks down or requires towing.

The document also supports consistent record‑keeping and post‑incident review, allowing businesses to identify recurring issues with vehicles, routes, or work practices. This not only improves safety outcomes but can also reduce maintenance costs, insurance claims, and downtime across the fleet.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, safe response to vehicle breakdowns and towing operations across all locations and shifts.
• Reduce the risk of injury to drivers, roadside assistance personnel, and members of the public during breakdown events.
• Support compliance with WHS legislation, road transport laws, and chain of responsibility requirements.
• Streamline communication between drivers, dispatch, supervisors, and external towing providers to minimise delays and confusion.
• Improve incident reporting and follow‑up so that recurring vehicle and route risks are identified and controlled.

Who is this for?

• Fleet Managers
• Transport and Logistics Managers
• Workshop Supervisors
• Tow Truck Operators
• Roadside Assistance Technicians
• Site Supervisors
• Health and Safety Managers
• Company Drivers and Operators
• Operations Managers
• Logistics Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle strikes involving broken‑down vehicles and passing traffic
• Workers on foot near live traffic or moving plant
• Uncontrolled vehicle movement during loading, unloading, or winching
• Manual handling injuries when fitting tow equipment or moving loads
• Slips, trips, and falls around the breakdown site, especially at night or in poor weather
• Exposure to heat, cold, or remote and isolated work conditions during roadside assistance
• Psychosocial stress and fatigue associated with breakdowns and delays
• Electrical and fire hazards from damaged vehicles or leaking fuel
• Pinch points and crush injuries when coupling, uncoupling, or securing vehicles
• Struck‑by hazards from loose components, tools, or load shift during towing

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Drivers, Supervisors, Tow Operators, WHS Personnel)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Company Policies
• 5.0 Pre‑Journey Planning and Readiness (Emergency kits, communication, vehicle checks)
• 6.0 Breakdown Identification and Initial Driver Actions
• 7.0 Site Assessment and Risk Evaluation (location, traffic, weather, visibility)
• 8.0 Traffic Management and Scene Protection (cones, beacons, signage, positioning of vehicles)
• 9.0 Communication and Notification Protocols (internal and external)
• 10.0 Engaging and Coordinating with Towing and Roadside Assistance Providers
• 11.0 Safe Towing Set‑Up (equipment selection, load rating, coupling and securing)
• 12.0 Winching, Loading and Unloading Procedures
• 13.0 Working in High‑Risk Environments (motorways, rural roads, remote and isolated areas, construction sites)
• 14.0 Fatigue, Stress and Lone Worker Controls
• 15.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 16.0 Environmental Considerations (fuel spills, debris, waste management)
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Breakdown Reporting Requirements
• 18.0 Post‑Incident Review and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation of Drivers and Tow Operators
• 20.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility provisions (where applicable)
• Austroads Guidelines for Roadside Work and Traffic Management (as adopted by road authorities)
• AS/NZS 4024.1901: Safety of machinery – General principles for design – Risk assessment and risk reduction (for winches and mechanical equipment)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (where temporary power is used at breakdown sites)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• State and territory Tow Truck Industry Codes of Practice or licensing requirements (where applicable)