Product Overview

Summary: This Elevator Shaft Access Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, enforceable system for managing who can enter elevator shafts, when, and under what conditions. It helps Australian businesses control one of the highest-risk confined work areas on site, reducing fall-from-height, crush, and electrical risks while demonstrating robust WHS due diligence.

Elevator shafts present a unique combination of critical risks: unprotected edges, fall hazards, moving machinery, electrical systems, and often multiple contractors working in tight timeframes. Without a formal access control system, it becomes very easy for untrained personnel to enter the shaft, for isolation to be bypassed, or for conflicting work activities to occur simultaneously. This Elevator Shaft Access Control SOP establishes a structured, auditable approach to deciding who may enter the shaft, how access is authorised, and what controls must be in place before anyone steps inside.

Developed for Australian workplaces, this procedure aligns with WHS legislation, plant and structures requirements, and best practice for working at heights and confined, restricted spaces. It sets out practical steps for lock-out/tag-out of lift machinery, securing doors and openings, issuing and recording access permits, and coordinating between builders, lift contractors, electricians, and maintenance teams. By implementing this SOP, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, improve contractor management, and provide clear evidence of compliance to regulators, clients, and insurers.

Key Benefits

• Control high‑risk access to elevator shafts through a clear permit and authorisation process.
• Reduce the risk of falls from height, crush injuries, and contact with energised components.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS requirements for plant, structures, and construction work.
• Standardise communication and coordination between builders, lift contractors, and maintenance teams.
• Provide a defensible, documented system that supports incident investigations and regulatory audits.

Who is this for?

• Construction Site Managers
• Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Facilities Managers
• Lift / Elevator Installation Supervisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Principal Contractors
• Building Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height into open or partially constructed elevator shafts
• Crush and shear injuries from moving lift cars, counterweights, and machinery
• Contact with live electrical components during installation or maintenance
• Unauthorised or uncontrolled access by untrained workers or visitors
• Objects or tools falling down the shaft striking workers below
• Entrapment or restricted egress within the shaft during an emergency
• Exposure to dust, noise, and other construction hazards within confined vertical spaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (e.g. elevator shaft, access point, authorised person)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Site Manager, Lift Contractor, Electrician, Workers)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Planning for Elevator Shaft Access
• 6.0 Access Authorisation and Permit-to-Enter Requirements
• 7.0 Lock-out / Tag-out and Isolation of Lift Machinery and Electrical Systems
• 8.0 Physical Access Controls (barriers, doors, hatches, signage and securing openings)
• 9.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Fall Protection Requirements
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Entering and Working in the Elevator Shaft
• 11.0 Coordination with Other Trades and Contractors (interface management)
• 12.0 Communication, Sign-in/Sign-out and Headcount Controls
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures, Rescue Planning and Incident Response
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 15.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Audit of Access Controls
• 16.0 Recordkeeping, Permit Storage and Document Control
• 17.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly provisions relating to construction work, plant, and falls)
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS 1735 series: Lifts, escalators and moving walks
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use