Product Overview

Summary: This Emission Control System Check SOP sets out a clear, repeatable process for inspecting, testing and documenting emission control performance on plant, vehicles and fixed equipment. It helps Australian businesses minimise harmful exhaust and process emissions, protect worker health, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and environmental obligations.

Emission control systems are critical in managing both worker exposure to hazardous substances and the environmental footprint of your operations. From diesel particulate filters and catalytic converters to scrubbers and local exhaust ventilation, these systems only perform as intended when they are checked, maintained and documented in a structured way. This Emission Control System Check Safe Operating Procedure gives your team a step‑by‑step method for planning, conducting and recording routine and reactive emission checks on mobile plant, fixed plant and process equipment across Australian workplaces.

The SOP provides practical guidance on pre‑start inspections, safe isolation, measurement techniques, and acceptance criteria aligned with Australian WHS and environmental expectations. It addresses common issues such as deteriorating exhaust systems, bypassed controls, poor ventilation, and drift in monitoring equipment calibration. By implementing this procedure, your business can reduce worker exposure to diesel particulate matter, gases and fumes, support compliance with duty‑of‑care requirements, and provide defensible records for regulators, clients and auditors. It also supports broader sustainability goals by helping to identify inefficient equipment and excessive emissions before they become costly incidents, complaints or enforcement actions.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, documented emission control checks across all relevant plant, vehicles and equipment.
• Reduce worker exposure to diesel particulate matter, hazardous fumes and gases through early detection of control failures.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with WHS and environmental regulatory expectations during audits and inspections.
• Identify maintenance issues and inefficiencies early, reducing unplanned downtime and costly repairs.
• Support organisational sustainability and ESG objectives by monitoring and improving emission performance over time.

Who is this for?

• Maintenance Supervisors
• Plant and Workshop Managers
• Fleet Managers
• WHS Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Officers
• Mechanical Fitters and Diesel Mechanics
• Process Engineers
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Facility Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) from mobile and fixed plant
• Inhalation of exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides
• Exposure to process fumes, vapours and aerosols from industrial equipment
• Accumulation of airborne contaminants in poorly ventilated or enclosed work areas
• Fire and explosion risks associated with leaking exhausts, hot surfaces and flammable atmospheres
• Noise and heat exposure from malfunctioning exhaust and ventilation systems
• Environmental contamination from uncontrolled or bypassed emission discharges

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and References
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 5.0 Equipment, Instruments and Calibration Requirements
• 6.0 Pre‑Check Planning and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Isolation, Access and Permit Requirements
• 8.0 Emission Control System Components and Inspection Criteria
• 9.0 Step‑by‑Step Emission Control System Check Procedure
• 10.0 Ventilation and Local Exhaust Verification Checks
• 11.0 Emission Measurement, Recording and Acceptance Limits
• 12.0 Non‑Conformance Management and Corrective Actions
• 13.0 PPE Requirements and Safe Work Practices
• 14.0 Emergency Response for Hazardous Emission Events
• 15.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Reporting
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and associated WHS Regulations as implemented in each state and territory
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1668.2: The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings – Ventilation design for indoor air contaminant control
• AS/NZS 3580 series: Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air (as applicable to monitoring strategies)
• AS/NZS 60079.10.1: Explosive atmospheres – Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres (for emission checks in hazardous areas)
• National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (NEPM) – as a reference for broader emission objectives
• State and territory environmental protection legislation and licences (e.g. NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act, VIC Environment Protection Act)