Product Overview

Summary: This Mobile Plant and Equipment Operation SOP sets out clear, practical steps for planning, operating and shutting down mobile plant safely on Australian worksites. It helps organisations control high‑risk activities involving forklifts, excavators, loaders, EWPs and similar plant, supporting WHS compliance while protecting workers, visitors and assets.

Mobile plant is one of the highest‑risk activities on Australian worksites, with incidents often leading to serious injury, fatalities and costly regulatory action. This Mobile Plant and Equipment Operation Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step framework for the safe operation of a wide range of mobile plant, including earthmoving machinery, forklifts, telehandlers, skid steers, loaders, rollers, and elevated work platforms. It guides workers and supervisors through pre‑start inspections, traffic management, operating techniques, communication protocols and shutdown procedures, ensuring plant is used within its design limits and in accordance with WHS requirements.

Developed specifically for the Australian regulatory environment, this SOP helps businesses demonstrate that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to manage the risks associated with mobile plant. It supports consistent operator behaviour across shifts and sites, reduces reliance on informal “on‑the‑job” training, and provides clear documentation that can be referenced during inductions, toolbox talks, incident investigations and regulator inspections. By implementing this procedure, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of vehicle‑pedestrian interactions, rollovers, struck‑by incidents and equipment damage, while improving productivity and confidence in daily operations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of serious incidents involving mobile plant, including collisions, rollovers and crush injuries.
• Ensure consistent, defensible operating practices that align with Australian WHS legislation and industry standards.
• Standardise operator training, inductions and verifications of competency across multiple sites and crews.
• Improve equipment reliability and lifespan through mandated pre‑start checks and defect reporting processes.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and principal contractors through clear, documented procedures.

Who is this for?

• Mobile Plant Operators
• Plant and Machinery Supervisors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Fleet and Plant Coordinators
• Civil and Mining Supervisors
• Warehouse and Yard Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Principal Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle‑pedestrian collisions in shared work areas
• Plant rollovers on uneven or unstable ground
• Crush and pinch injuries between plant and fixed structures
• Struck‑by incidents from swinging loads, attachments or falling objects
• Contact with overhead or underground services (electricity, gas, water)
• Uncontrolled movement of plant due to brake or chocking failures
• Loss of control from operating on slopes, edges or near excavations
• Noise and vibration exposure from prolonged plant operation
• Poor visibility and blind spots around large mobile equipment
• Manual handling and ergonomic strain during mounting, dismounting and maintenance tasks

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Mobile Plant
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Mobile Plant Operations
• 5.0 Site and Traffic Management Controls
• 6.0 Pre‑Start Inspections and Equipment Checks
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedures for Mobile Plant
• 9.0 Working Around Pedestrians and Other Plant
• 10.0 Operating on Slopes, Near Edges and Excavations
• 11.0 Use of Attachments, Lifting and Loading
• 12.0 Communication, Signalling and Spotters
• 13.0 Refuelling, Charging and Parking Requirements
• 14.0 Shutdown, Isolation and Securing of Plant
• 15.0 Managing Defects, Maintenance and Out‑of‑Service Tagging
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Verification of Competency
• 18.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents) – Plant and Structures
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Workplace Traffic Management
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Machinery in the Workplace
• AS 2359 series: Powered industrial trucks (forklifts) – Safety and operation
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (where lifting attachments are used)
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Design and operation (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for plant using temporary power)