Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for safely disconnecting and removing redundant plant, services and systems in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations manage WHS risks, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain compliance when decommissioning electrical, mechanical, IT, hydraulic or other legacy systems.

Redundant systems – whether electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, communications or IT – can pose significant safety, environmental and operational risks if they are disconnected and removed without a structured process. This SOP sets out a robust methodology for planning, isolating, disconnecting and physically removing redundant systems while ensuring the safety of workers, contractors and building occupants. It covers everything from pre-work risk assessments and service isolation verification through to physical removal, waste handling and final sign‑off.

For Australian businesses, unmanaged legacy systems can lead to accidental energisation, data breaches, water damage, fire risk, and confusion for maintenance teams. This procedure helps you avoid those pitfalls by defining clear responsibilities, lock out–tag out requirements, communication protocols, and documentation standards. It supports compliance with WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards, while also improving asset records and reducing the long‑term cost and risk of keeping non-functional systems in place.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe isolation, disconnection and removal of redundant systems in line with Australian WHS requirements.
• Reduce the risk of electric shock, unplanned outages, flooding, leaks, fires and other incidents during decommissioning works.
• Streamline planning and approvals for system decommissioning, minimising disruption to business operations and tenants.
• Improve asset management by clearly documenting what has been removed, what remains live, and how services are reconfigured.
• Support consistent training and contractor management with a repeatable, auditable process for removing legacy systems.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Facility Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Electrical Supervisors
• IT Infrastructure Managers
• Project Managers
• Asset and Property Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Mechanical and Electrical Tradespersons
• Contract Decommissioning Teams

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock or arc flash from incorrectly isolated electrical systems
• Unintended energisation of plant, equipment or circuits still in service
• Release of stored energy (mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal)
• Falls from height while accessing ceiling spaces, roofs or plant platforms
• Manual handling injuries during removal of heavy or awkward components
• Exposure to hazardous substances (asbestos, refrigerants, oils, coolants, dusts)
• Water damage or flooding from incorrectly isolated plumbing or fire services
• Fire or explosion risk from fuel lines, gas services or battery systems
• Data security breaches when decommissioning IT and communications systems
• Trips, slips and struck‑by hazards from tools, debris and temporary cabling

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Redundant Systems
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authorisations
• 4.0 Pre-Work Planning and Approvals
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Permit to Work Requirements
• 6.0 Identification and Verification of Redundant Systems
• 7.0 Isolation, Lock Out–Tag Out (LOTO) and Testing for Dead
• 8.0 Safe Disconnection Procedures (Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic, IT and Communications)
• 9.0 Physical Removal, Handling and Transport of Equipment
• 10.0 Management of Hazardous Materials and Environmental Considerations
• 11.0 Working at Height, Confined Spaces and Restricted Access Controls
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Waste Segregation and Disposal
• 13.0 System Labelling, Drawings Update and Asset Register Amendments
• 14.0 Communication with Occupants, Stakeholders and Control Rooms
• 15.0 Incident Response, Emergency Procedures and First Aid
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Contractor Management
• 17.0 Documentation, Records and Handover Sign-Off
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces (where applicable)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 4836:2011 Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS 1319:1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment