Product Overview

Summary: This Ladder and Elevated Work Platform Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, practical guidance for working at height using portable ladders, mobile scaffolds and EWPs in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control fall risks, meet WHS obligations, and standardise safe work methods across construction, maintenance, facilities and industrial environments.

Working at height remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatality across Australian workplaces, particularly when ladders and elevated work platforms (EWPs) are used without a consistent, well‑understood procedure. This Ladder and Elevated Work Platform Safety SOP sets out a structured, step‑by‑step approach for planning, setting up, operating and demobilising ladders, scissor lifts, boom lifts and other EWPs. It guides workers and supervisors through pre‑use inspections, safe access and egress, fall prevention controls, traffic and public protection, and emergency response, all aligned with Australian WHS expectations.

The procedure is designed to help organisations move away from ad‑hoc practices and “we’ve always done it this way” habits by embedding a clear hierarchy of control for work at height. It addresses common problem areas such as using ladders where a higher level of control is reasonably practicable, incorrect EWP selection for the task, inadequate ground and weather assessment, and poor communication between operators and spotters. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident rates, improve competency and confidence among workers, and provide a defensible framework for regulators, clients and principal contractors across Australia.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls from height by standardising how ladders and EWPs are selected, set up and used.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice for managing the risk of falls.
• Improve worker competency and confidence through clear, practical steps for inspections, operation and shutdown.
• Minimise equipment damage and downtime by embedding robust pre‑use checks and defect reporting processes.
• Support supervisors and PCBU obligations with documented, auditable procedures that can be integrated into SWMS and training.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Managers
• Maintenance Team Leaders
• Facilities Managers
• Electricians
• HVAC Technicians
• Painters and Decorators
• Warehouse and Logistics Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Plant and Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from ladders and elevated work platforms
• Tip‑over or instability of EWPs due to ground conditions or overreaching
• Contact with overhead powerlines and other electrical hazards
• Falling objects striking people below the work area
• Crushing or trapping between the EWP and fixed structures
• Unauthorised or untrained use of ladders and EWPs
• Slips, trips and loss of footing on ladder rungs or EWP platforms
• Adverse weather impacts such as high wind, rain or poor visibility
• Manual handling injuries when shifting or positioning ladders and mobile platforms
• Traffic interaction between EWPs and vehicles or mobile plant

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Equipment (Ladders, MEWPs, Scissor and Boom Lifts)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning Work at Height and Hierarchy of Control
• 5.0 Selection of Access Equipment (Ladder vs EWP vs Alternative Controls)
• 6.0 Pre‑Use Inspection and Tagging Requirements
• 7.0 Safe Use of Portable Ladders
• 8.0 Safe Operation of Elevated Work Platforms
• 9.0 Ground Conditions, Weather and Environmental Considerations
• 10.0 Fall Prevention, Fall‑Arrest and Edge Protection Controls
• 11.0 Traffic, Pedestrian and Public Protection Controls
• 12.0 Communication, Spotters and Exclusion Zones
• 13.0 Working Near Overhead and Underground Services
• 14.0 Securing Tools, Materials and Managing Falling Objects
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures and EWP Rescue Plans
• 16.0 Inspection, Maintenance, Isolation and Defect Reporting
• 17.0 Training, Licensing and Verification of Competency
• 18.0 Recordkeeping, Review 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 falls and plant)
• 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
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS 1418.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Special purpose appliances (including MEWPs)
• AS/NZS 1892 series: Portable ladders
• AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation