Product Overview

Summary: This Inflatable Barrier Setup Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, step‑by‑step guidance for safely deploying inflatable barriers to control access, manage traffic, or contain hazards on Australian worksites. It helps organisations prevent incidents during setup, use and pack‑down while demonstrating compliance with WHS obligations and site traffic management requirements.

Inflatable barriers are increasingly used across Australian workplaces, construction sites, events, warehouses and public spaces to create rapid, visible separation between people, vehicles and hazards. While they appear simple, incorrect setup can lead to barrier failure, uncontrolled vehicle or pedestrian access, trip hazards, and damage to underground or overhead services. This Inflatable Barrier Setup Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS‑aligned method for planning, installing, inspecting, using and dismantling inflatable barriers in a safe and consistent way.

The SOP walks your team through pre‑start planning, site assessment, equipment selection, inflation and anchoring, inspection, monitoring during use, and safe deflation and storage. It addresses common risks such as over‑inflation, unsecured barriers in windy conditions, poor visibility at night, and interaction with plant and vehicles. By implementing this procedure, businesses can reduce the likelihood of injury, property damage and public liability incidents while supporting compliance with Australian WHS legislation, traffic management requirements and duty of care obligations.

This document is ideal for organisations that routinely set up temporary exclusion zones, diversion routes, work compounds or crowd control areas. It standardises how inflatable barriers are deployed across teams and locations, supports effective training and inductions, and provides a defensible record of safe work methods in the event of audits, tenders or incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure inflatable barriers are planned, installed and removed in a controlled, WHS‑compliant manner.
• Reduce the risk of barrier collapse, movement or failure that could expose workers or the public to harm.
• Improve traffic and pedestrian management by standardising barrier placement, visibility and signage.
• Streamline training and onboarding by providing clear, step‑by‑step instructions for new and existing staff.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers through documented safe work practices.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Event Operations Managers
• Traffic Controllers
• Construction Project Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Council Works Coordinators
• Facilities Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle and mobile plant striking workers due to inadequate or failed barrier separation
• Trips and falls over poorly positioned or partially deflated barriers, hoses and anchor points
• Barrier movement or collapse in windy or adverse weather conditions
• Over‑inflation leading to rupture, flying debris or sudden deflation
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying or dragging heavy barrier units and blowers
• Contact with live electrical components when using powered blowers or pumps
• Obstruction of emergency access routes or fire exits by incorrectly placed barriers
• Reduced visibility of barriers at night or in low‑light conditions leading to collision or impact
• Damage to underground services from incorrect anchoring or staking methods
• Slips on wet or algae‑covered surfaces beneath or adjacent to barriers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References and Applicable Legislation
• 3.0 Definitions and Types of Inflatable Barriers
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 5.0 Required Competencies and Training
• 6.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment
• 7.0 Tools, Plant and Materials
• 8.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Risk Assessment
• 9.0 Site Assessment and Traffic/Pedestrian Management Considerations
• 10.0 Pre‑Use Inspection of Barriers and Equipment
• 11.0 Setup and Inflation Procedure
• 12.0 Anchoring, Stability and Weather Considerations
• 13.0 Signage, Lighting and Visibility Requirements
• 14.0 Monitoring, Inspection and Maintenance During Use
• 15.0 Interaction with Vehicles, Plant and Pedestrians
• 16.0 Deflation, Pack‑Down and Storage Procedure
• 17.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 19.0 Environmental Considerations (noise, dust, waste and ground protection)
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Inspection Checklists and Review
• 21.0 Revision History and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces (where adopted or referenced by regulators)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS 1742 Set: Manual of uniform traffic control devices (for road‑related and traffic interface applications)
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall‑arrest systems and devices (for work at height near barriers, where relevant)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for powered blowers and temporary power)