Product Overview

Summary: This Elevated Work Platforms (EWP) Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning, operating and maintaining EWPs safely on Australian worksites. It helps businesses control the significant risks of working at height, meet WHS obligations, and provide operators with a consistent, defensible method of work.

Elevated Work Platforms are widely used across construction, maintenance, warehousing, utilities and facilities management, but they remain a leading source of serious falls and crush injuries in Australia. This SOP provides a structured, step‑by‑step process for the safe use of scissor lifts, boom lifts, trailer‑mounted and truck‑mounted EWPs, from pre‑start inspections and job planning through to shutdown and post‑use checks. It translates WHS and Australian Standard requirements into clear, practical instructions that workers can follow on site.

By implementing this procedure, your business can demonstrate due diligence in managing the risks of working at height, operating near powerlines and traffic, and using complex plant in changing site conditions. The SOP supports consistent training, reduces reliance on informal “on‑the‑job” habits, and provides a documented system of work that can be referenced in inductions, toolbox talks and incident investigations. It is designed specifically for Australian workplaces, helping you align with regulator expectations, contractor prequalification requirements and internal safety management system standards.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls, tip‑overs and crush injuries when operating elevated work platforms.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS legislation, EWP licensing requirements and relevant Australian Standards.
• Standardise how EWPs are selected, inspected, operated and parked across all sites and shifts.
• Improve operator competence through clear, documented steps that support training and verification of competency.
• Minimise downtime, damage and costly incidents through robust pre‑start checks and defect management processes.

Who is this for?

• Elevated Work Platform Operators
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Civil and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Telecommunications and Utilities Field Leaders
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height from EWP platforms
• EWP tip‑over due to unstable ground, overloading or incorrect setup
• Crushing and trapping between the platform and overhead structures
• Contact with overhead powerlines and electrical infrastructure
• Uncontrolled movement or collision with people, vehicles or structures
• Mechanical failure due to poor maintenance or missed defects
• Adverse weather impacts such as high winds on EWP stability
• Slips, trips and manual handling injuries when accessing or egressing the platform

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Elevated Work Platforms
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning the Task and Site Risk Assessment
• 5.0 EWP Selection, Access Permits and Authorisations
• 6.0 Pre‑Start Inspection and Function Testing
• 7.0 Setup Requirements (Ground Conditions, Outriggers and Exclusion Zones)
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Normal Operations
• 9.0 Working Near Overhead Powerlines and Services
• 10.0 Use of Fall Protection and Platform Housekeeping
• 11.0 Emergency Procedures and Use of Ground Controls
• 12.0 Shutdown, Parking, Isolation and Post‑Use Checks
• 13.0 Defect Reporting, Tag‑Out and Maintenance Coordination
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Verification of Competency
• 15.0 Documentation, Records and Review of this SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – Plant and Structures, High Risk Work Licensing
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS 1418.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall‑arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)