Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step process for constructing brick chimneys safely, compliantly and to a high structural standard on Australian worksites. It focuses on managing height, structural, fire and manual handling risks while delivering consistent quality outcomes for residential and commercial projects.

Brick chimney construction combines structural masonry, fire safety and working at heights – a mix that carries significant risk if not managed systematically. This SOP sets out a clear, repeatable method for planning, setting out and building brick chimneys that meet Australian building and WHS requirements. It addresses the full lifecycle of the task, from pre-start planning and scaffold erection through to flue integration, weatherproofing and final inspection.

For Australian builders and bricklaying contractors, inconsistent chimney practices can lead to cracked masonry, smoke leakage, water ingress, non-compliance with fire separation requirements, and serious safety incidents during construction. This procedure helps your teams control those risks by standardising safe work methods, specifying required PPE and equipment, and detailing how to manage hazards such as falling objects, manual handling of bricks and mortar, exposure to dust, and working near roof edges. By implementing this SOP, businesses can lift build quality, reduce rework and call-backs, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation and the National Construction Code.

Whether you are constructing a traditional masonry chimney with a clay flue or integrating a brick chimney surround with a prefabricated metal flue, this SOP provides practical, site-ready guidance. It supports onboarding of new workers, aligns subcontractors with your safety expectations, and provides documented evidence of safe systems of work for principal contractors, clients and regulators.

Key Benefits

• Ensure brick chimney works are carried out in line with Australian WHS laws and the National Construction Code.
• Reduce the risk of falls, falling objects and structural failures associated with chimney construction at height.
• Standardise construction quality, minimising defects such as cracking, smoke leakage and water ingress.
• Streamline training and onboarding for bricklayers and apprentices with a clear, step-by-step method.
• Demonstrate due diligence to principal contractors, clients and regulators through documented safe work practices.

Who is this for?

• Bricklayers
• Leading Hands and Site Supervisors
• Residential and Commercial Builders
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Advisors and Safety Officers
• Apprentice Bricklayers and Trainees
• Building Inspectors and Clerks of Works

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height when working on roofs, scaffolding and near roof edges
• Falling objects including bricks, tools and debris striking workers below
• Structural instability or partial collapse of partially built chimneys
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying bricks, lintels and mortar
• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica and cement dust when cutting bricks or mixing mortar
• Slips, trips and falls due to poor housekeeping, wet surfaces and mortar spills
• Contact with overhead powerlines or electrical services near rooflines
• Weather-related risks such as wind loads on scaffolds and slippery roof surfaces
• Fire and smoke leakage risks from incorrect flue clearances or poor detailing
• Musculoskeletal strain from prolonged awkward postures on scaffolds and roofs

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment (SWMS/JSA)
• 6.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Site Preparation, Access and Scaffold Setup
• 9.0 Service Location and Overhead Powerline Controls
• 10.0 Chimney Design Verification and Set-Out Requirements
• 11.0 Step-by-Step Brick Chimney Construction Procedure
• 12.0 Working at Heights and Edge Protection Controls
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Material Handling Controls
• 14.0 Dust, Noise and Hazardous Substances Management
• 15.0 Integration of Flues, Fireplaces and Clearances to Combustibles
• 16.0 Weatherproofing, Flashings and Final Finishing
• 17.0 Quality Assurance Checks and Inspection Hold Points
• 18.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 19.0 Emergency Procedures (Falls, Structural Instability, Fire)
• 20.0 Training, Induction and Competency Records
• 21.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Volume Two: Housing Provisions (chimneys, fireplaces and flues)
• AS 3700: Masonry structures
• AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding series
• AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS 3959: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (for relevant chimney and ember protection requirements)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace