Product Overview

Summary: This Field Worker Transportation Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely moving workers to, from, and between worksites across Australia. It helps organisations control transport-related risks, meet WHS and road safety obligations, and protect field staff travelling in company or hired vehicles, including in remote and regional areas.

Transporting field workers is one of the highest-risk activities many organisations undertake, particularly when travel involves long distances, heavy vehicles, remote locations or variable weather conditions. This Field Worker Transportation Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach for planning, authorising and carrying out worker transport in a way that prioritises safety, legal compliance and duty of care. It covers the full journey lifecycle – from pre-trip planning and vehicle selection to driver fitness, passenger management, journey monitoring and incident response.

The SOP is designed for Australian workplaces that send employees or contractors off-site, whether for construction, utilities, local government, community services, mining, agriculture, or maintenance work. It addresses common challenges such as fatigue management, lone and remote travel, vehicle loading, communication black spots and subcontracted transport providers. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate a defensible system of work for field travel, reduce the likelihood of transport-related incidents, and provide workers with clear expectations about safe driving, passenger behaviour and reporting requirements.

Beyond compliance, this SOP helps standardise how different teams organise and control travel, reducing ad hoc decisions and inconsistent practices. It supports integration with existing WHS, fatigue, drug and alcohol, and emergency management systems, making it easier for organisations to evidence their risk management processes during audits, client prequalification, or regulator enquiries.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of vehicle incidents and worker injuries during travel to, from and between worksites.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, road rules and organisational fatigue management requirements.
• Standardise journey planning, vehicle selection and driver authorisation across all field operations.
• Improve oversight of remote and lone worker travel through clear communication, check‑in and escalation protocols.
• Demonstrate a robust, documented system of work to clients, auditors, and regulators during tenders, audits and investigations.

Who is this for?

• Field Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• WHS Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Team Leaders
• HR and HSEQ Managers
• Project Managers
• Remote and Regional Area Coordinators
• Contractor Management Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Motor vehicle collisions on public roads and private access tracks
• Driver fatigue and reduced alertness on long-distance or after-hours trips
• Driving in adverse weather, poor visibility or on unsealed and remote roads
• Vehicle rollovers due to speed, road conditions or improper loading
• Unrestrained or incorrectly restrained passengers and loads
• Breakdowns or vehicle failures in remote or isolated locations
• Lone or remote worker exposure due to communication failures or lack of monitoring
• Slips, trips and falls when entering or exiting vehicles
• Heat stress and dehydration during long journeys in hot conditions
• Violence or aggression at roadside stops or in unfamiliar locations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Drivers, Passengers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and References
• 5.0 Risk Management for Field Worker Transportation
• 6.0 Journey Planning and Authorisation Requirements
• 7.0 Driver Competency, Licensing and Fitness for Duty
• 8.0 Vehicle Selection, Suitability and Access (4WD, buses, pool vehicles, hire cars)
• 9.0 Pre-Start Vehicle Inspections and Safety Checks
• 10.0 Passenger Management and Behavioural Requirements
• 11.0 Fatigue Management and Maximum Driving Hours
• 12.0 Remote and Lone Worker Travel Controls (check-ins, communication plans, emergency contacts)
• 13.0 Load Management, Equipment Transport and Towing Requirements
• 14.0 Safe Driving Practices (speed, seatbelts, mobile phone use, drugs and alcohol)
• 15.0 Adverse Weather, Road Conditions and Off-Road Driving
• 16.0 Use of Third-Party and Contractor Transport Providers
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Hazard Reporting During Travel
• 18.0 Breakdown, Emergency and Crash Response Procedures
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Review of Journey Data
• 21.0 Continuous Improvement and SOP Review Process

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and State/Territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide: Work-related driving
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced in industry)
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – Chain of Responsibility (where applicable)
• National Road Rules and relevant State/Territory road safety legislation