Product Overview

Summary: This Manual Handling in Roofing SOP sets out clear, practical steps for lifting, carrying and positioning roofing materials safely on Australian worksites. It helps roofing businesses control musculoskeletal injury risks, meet WHS obligations, and keep crews productive while working at height, on uneven surfaces and in demanding weather conditions.

Manual handling in roofing is uniquely hazardous. Workers routinely lift and manoeuvre long, awkward loads such as metal sheets, tiles, insulation packs and battens on sloping, sometimes fragile surfaces, often in windy or hot Australian conditions. Without a structured procedure, the risk of back injuries, shoulder strains, slips, trips and falls – as well as dropped-object incidents affecting people below – increases dramatically. This Manual Handling in Roofing Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework to manage these risks before, during and after roofing tasks.

Developed for the Australian construction environment, the SOP guides businesses through job planning, risk assessment, load management, use of mechanical aids, team lifts, and safe movement on roofs and access ways. It aligns with WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice, giving PCBUs and supervisors a defensible, documented system for training workers and demonstrating due diligence. By implementing this procedure, roofing companies can reduce injury rates, improve crew efficiency, and maintain consistent, safe work methods across different sites, contractors and states or territories.

Key Benefits

• Reduce musculoskeletal injuries by standardising safe techniques for lifting, carrying and placing roofing materials.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS laws and Manual Tasks Codes of Practice specific to construction and roofing work.
• Improve productivity by planning manual handling tasks, material deliveries and roof access to minimise unnecessary handling.
• Enhance worker competence through clear, repeatable training content tailored to roofing environments and tasks.
• Lower the risk of secondary incidents such as falls from height or falling objects caused by poor manual handling practices.

Who is this for?

• Roofers
• Roofing Leading Hands
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• PCBU Representatives
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Apprentice Roofers and Trade Assistants

Hazards Addressed

• Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive lifting, twisting and carrying heavy or awkward roofing materials
• Back, shoulder and knee strains from handling tiles, sheet roofing, ridge capping and insulation
• Slips, trips and falls on sloping, uneven or fragile roofing surfaces while carrying loads
• Falls from height due to loss of balance while handling materials near roof edges or openings
• Dropped objects striking workers or members of the public below
• Heat stress and fatigue affecting manual handling capacity in hot Australian conditions
• Hand and finger injuries from poor grip, sharp edges and pinch points on roofing products
• Overexertion when working in constrained or awkward postures around trusses, frames and penetrations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Manual Handling, Hazardous Manual Tasks, PCBU, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBUs, Supervisors, Workers, HSRs)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Roofing Manual Tasks
• 6.0 Planning Manual Handling for Roofing Works (Deliveries, Storage, Sequencing)
• 7.0 Selection and Use of Mechanical Aids (Hoists, Material Lifts, Trolleys, Cranes)
• 8.0 Safe Manual Handling Techniques for Roofing Materials
• 9.0 Team Lifting and Load Sharing Procedures on Roofs
• 10.0 Safe Movement and Positioning on Roof Surfaces While Handling Loads
• 11.0 Environmental Considerations (Weather, Wind, Heat and UV Exposure)
• 12.0 Use of PPE and Supporting Controls (Gloves, Footwear, Fall Protection Interfaces)
• 13.0 Communication, Spotters and Exclusion Zones for Falling Object Control
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Early Intervention and Injury Management for Manual Handling
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure
• 17.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – Part relating to Hazardous Manual Tasks and Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (for integration with safe access and positioning while handling materials)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use