Product Overview

Summary: This Doorway Widening and Access Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step method for safely modifying doorways to improve access, including for people with disability, while protecting workers, building occupants and the structure itself. It supports Australian WHS duties and accessibility requirements by controlling construction risks, managing dust and noise, and ensuring compliant, safe access during and after the works.

Doorway widening and access works are often carried out in live environments such as offices, healthcare facilities, aged care, educational campuses and residential complexes. When not properly controlled, these works can compromise structural integrity, expose workers and occupants to dust and noise, and create unsafe temporary access routes. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, WHS-aligned approach for planning, isolating, cutting, framing and finishing widened door openings so that access is improved without introducing new risks.

The procedure guides organisations through each stage of the work: from initial assessment of existing walls and services, engineering sign-off and permits, through to temporary access management, use of appropriate tools and PPE, and final inspection against accessibility and fire safety requirements. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation, align with disability access expectations, and maintain safe egress paths at all times. By standardising how doorway widening is carried out, this SOP reduces variability between teams and contractors, minimises disruption to operations, and delivers consistent, safe and compliant access outcomes.

Key Benefits

• Ensure doorway widening works are completed safely in accordance with Australian WHS duties and relevant building and access requirements.
• Reduce the risk of structural damage, service strikes and unsafe temporary openings during modification works.
• Improve accessibility outcomes for building users, including people with disability, while maintaining safe egress and fire compartmentation.
• Standardise how supervisors, trades and contractors plan, isolate, cut and finish widened doorways across multiple sites.
• Minimise disruption to business operations, patients, residents or tenants through planned staging, dust and noise control, and clear communication.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Carpenters and Joiners
• Builders and Renovation Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Disability Access Consultants
• Property and Asset Managers
• Strata Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Structural instability or partial collapse when modifying load-bearing or bracing walls
• Striking concealed electrical wiring, plumbing, gas or data services during cutting or drilling
• Generation and inhalation of dust, including respirable crystalline silica from masonry and concrete
• Noise exposure from cutting, grinding and demolition tools
• Flying debris and eye injuries during cutting and demolition
• Manual handling injuries from handling doors, frames, lintels and demolition waste
• Trips, slips and falls due to uneven surfaces, off-cuts, tools and debris in access routes
• Falls from height when working on ladders, platforms or steps to access upper portions of the doorway
• Compromised fire separation, smoke control or egress routes during and after the works
• Public and occupant exposure to work areas due to inadequate barricading or exclusion zones
• Use of power tools and portable electrical equipment, including risk of electric shock
• Exposure to hazardous building materials such as asbestos-containing materials in older structures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Approvals (Engineering, Permits and Services Location)
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Integration
• 7.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials Requirements
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Site Preparation, Isolation and Barricading
• 10.0 Service Identification, Isolation and Verification
• 11.0 Structural Considerations and Installation of Lintels or Supports
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Doorway Widening Procedure
• 13.0 Dust, Noise and Waste Management Controls
• 14.0 Temporary Access, Egress and Occupant Safety Management
• 15.0 Working at Heights and Ladder Use (if applicable)
• 16.0 Accessibility, Fire Safety and Compliance Checks on Completion
• 17.0 Inspection, Testing, Sign-off and Documentation
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Communication Requirements
• 20.0 Review, Audit 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 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace (principles applicable to masonry and concrete cutting)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS 1428.1: Design for access and mobility – General requirements for access – New building work
• National Construction Code (NCC) – requirements for egress, fire resistance and access for people with disability