Product Overview

Summary: This Daily Prestart Meetings Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable structure for starting each workday safely, efficiently and in full alignment with WHS obligations. It helps supervisors run focused toolbox-style briefings that identify hazards, confirm controls and ensure every worker understands the plan before work begins.

Daily prestart meetings (often called prestarts or toolbox talks) are one of the most effective ways to control risk before work begins, yet many organisations treat them as an informal chat rather than a structured WHS control. This Safe Operating Procedure turns the prestart into a consistent, documented process that supports your due diligence under Australian WHS legislation. It sets out who leads the meeting, what must be covered, how hazards are raised and addressed, and how attendance and key decisions are recorded.

By implementing this SOP, your business creates a reliable daily rhythm that brings workers, supervisors and management onto the same page. The procedure helps you systematically identify new and changing site hazards, confirm that controls are in place, communicate changes to work methods, and check worker fitness for duty before tasks commence. It also supports stronger safety culture, better communication between crews and management, and provides defensible records if an incident or regulator investigation occurs. Whether you operate a construction site, manufacturing facility, depot, mine, or service crew, this SOP ensures your prestart meetings are short, sharp, and genuinely effective at preventing incidents and delays.

Key Benefits

• Ensure every workday starts with a structured review of hazards, controls and work priorities.
• Reduce the likelihood of incidents by identifying and addressing risks before tasks commence.
• Strengthen WHS compliance by standardising prestart content, attendance records and follow-up actions.
• Improve communication between supervisors and workers about changes to methods, equipment and site conditions.
• Provide clear, auditable evidence of daily risk management and consultation with workers.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Team Leaders
• Construction Project Managers
• Operations Managers
• WHS Managers
• Safety Advisors
• Workshop Supervisors
• Maintenance Coordinators
• Forepersons
• HSE Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Unidentified or changing site hazards at the start of shift
• Miscommunication about daily tasks, work areas and interfaces between crews
• Workers commencing duties while fatigued, unfit for work or without required competencies
• Failure to implement or maintain required control measures (e.g. barricades, permits, lockout/tagout)
• Exposure to new high-risk construction work or non-routine tasks without adequate planning
• Weather-related risks such as heat stress, storms, high winds and reduced visibility
• Conflicts between plant, vehicles and pedestrians due to poor daily coordination

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Prestart, Toolbox Talk, Supervisor, PCBU, Worker)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Prestart Meeting Schedule and Location Requirements
• 5.0 Prestart Preparation (documents, permits, SWMS, risk assessments, updates)
• 6.0 Standard Prestart Meeting Agenda and Time Limits
• 7.0 Daily Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Process
• 8.0 Communication of High-Risk Activities and Interfaces Between Crews
• 9.0 Confirmation of Controls, PPE and Permits to Work
• 10.0 Worker Fitness for Duty and Competency Checks
• 11.0 Recording Attendance, Key Issues and Agreed Actions
• 12.0 Escalation and Follow-Up of Unresolved Hazards
• 13.0 Integration with SWMS, JSA and Other WHS Documentation
• 14.0 Consultation and Worker Participation Expectations
• 15.0 Training and Competency Requirements for Meeting Leaders
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Prestart Meetings
• 17.0 Document Control and Record Keeping Requirements
• Appendix A – Sample Daily Prestart Meeting Checklist
• Appendix B – Example Prestart Meeting Attendance and Action Register
• Appendix C – Example Prestart Meeting Script/Prompt Sheet
• Appendix D – Risk Rating Matrix for Use During Prestarts

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use