Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical system for maintaining masonry equipment safely and reliably on Australian worksites. It helps masonry businesses control breakdowns, manage WHS risks, and keep tools and plant—such as mixers, saws, grinders and scaffolding—operating within manufacturer and legislative requirements.

Masonry work relies heavily on powered and non‑powered equipment, from brick and block saws to mixers, grinders, drills, scaffolding and lifting devices. Poorly maintained equipment is a leading cause of incidents such as blade failures, electrical shocks, dust exposure, and manual handling injuries, as well as costly downtime and rework. This Equipment Maintenance in Masonry SOP provides a structured, repeatable approach to inspecting, servicing and recording maintenance activities so that masonry equipment remains safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

Developed for Australian construction environments, the procedure aligns equipment maintenance practices with WHS obligations, manufacturer instructions and relevant Australian Standards. It guides supervisors and trades through pre‑start checks, scheduled servicing, lock-out/tag-out during repair, and disposal of damaged or end‑of‑life equipment. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, extend the life of expensive plant, and create a consistent standard of care across all sites and crews, whether operating on small residential jobs or large commercial projects.

Key Benefits

• Ensure masonry equipment is maintained in a safe condition, reducing the likelihood of mechanical failures and injuries.
• Reduce unplanned downtime and project delays caused by equipment breakdowns and non-compliance issues.
• Demonstrate due diligence with documented inspection, servicing and repair records for regulatory audits and client prequalification.
• Standardise maintenance practices across teams, subcontractors and multiple sites for consistent performance and safety.
• Support safer control of silica dust, vibration, noise and electrical risks through proactive maintenance and timely replacement of components.

Who is this for?

• Masonry Contractors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Plant and Equipment Coordinators
• Stonemasons and Bricklayers
• Small Construction Business Owners

Hazards Addressed

• Mechanical failure of masonry saws, grinders and mixers leading to flying debris or entanglement
• Electrical shock or electrocution from damaged cords, plugs, RCDs or portable equipment
• Excessive silica dust generation due to ineffective dust extraction, damaged guards or water suppression systems
• Increased vibration exposure from worn bearings, unbalanced blades or poorly maintained tools
• Noise exposure from poorly maintained or modified equipment
• Manual handling injuries from handling heavy, unserviced or seized equipment
• Trips, slips and falls caused by poorly stored tools, leaking equipment or cluttered maintenance areas
• Fire risks from fuel leaks, oil spills or overheating motors
• Structural failure of masonry-related access equipment (e.g. trestles, small scaffolds, material hoists) due to inadequate inspection and maintenance

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Equipment Types (saws, mixers, grinders, drills, access equipment)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, supervisors, workers, maintenance personnel)
• 4.0 Legislative and Standards References
• 5.0 Risk Management Overview for Masonry Equipment
• 6.0 Pre-Start Inspection Requirements for Masonry Equipment
• 7.0 Scheduled Preventive Maintenance (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Annual)
• 8.0 Lock-Out/Tag-Out Procedures for Faulty or Unsafe Equipment
• 9.0 Maintenance Procedures by Equipment Category (saws, mixers, grinders, drills, access equipment)
• 10.0 Control Measures for Dust, Noise and Vibration through Maintenance
• 11.0 Electrical Safety and Test & Tag Requirements
• 12.0 Cleaning, Storage and Handling of Masonry Equipment
• 13.0 Management of Defects, Repairs and Isolation Tags
• 14.0 Contractor and Hire Equipment Maintenance Requirements
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Checklists and Maintenance Logs
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Supervision
• 17.0 Emergency Response Related to Equipment Failure
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace (principles relevant to masonry dust control)
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 3760: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced in many systems; ISO 45001 equivalent may also apply)