Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, safety-first approach to multi storey building construction in Australia, from site establishment through to topping out. It helps builders, principals and subcontractors control high-risk construction activities, coordinate multiple trades, and demonstrate compliance with WHS duties across complex, multi-level sites.

Multi storey building projects bring together numerous high‑risk construction activities in a single, constantly changing work environment. Working at height, crane operations, temporary structures, concrete pours, façade installation and services trades must all be carefully sequenced and controlled to prevent serious incidents. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, repeatable framework for planning and delivering multi storey construction works in accordance with Australian WHS legislation and industry best practice.

The SOP walks your team through each stage of the build – from early site establishment and structural frame erection to façade installation, services rough‑in, fit‑out and commissioning – with a strong focus on hazard identification, risk control and trade coordination at every level of the structure. It defines who is responsible for what, how work is authorised, how exclusion zones and access routes are managed, and how changes are controlled. By implementing this SOP, construction businesses can reduce the likelihood of falls, structural failures, dropped objects and plant incidents, while also improving program reliability, subcontractor coordination and regulatory confidence during inspections and audits.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, WHS-compliant approach to multi storey construction across all projects and sites.
• Reduce the risk of falls from height, structural instability, dropped objects and plant-related incidents on complex builds.
• Streamline coordination between principal contractor, subcontractors and crane operations through clear staging and access controls.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice during audits and inspections.
• Improve program certainty by embedding safety planning into construction sequencing, pre-starts and change management.

Who is this for?

• Construction Project Managers
• Site Managers
• Construction Supervisors
• Principal Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Forepersons
• Structural Engineers (Site Representatives)
• Formwork and Concrete Supervisors
• Tower Crane Coordinators
• Safety Coordinators and HSRs (Health and Safety Representatives)

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height from edges, floor openings, shafts and scaffolds
• Falling objects from upper levels, cranes and hoists
• Structural instability of formwork, falsework and partially completed frames
• Crane and hoisting incidents including collisions and overloads
• Interaction between mobile plant (e.g. EWPs, telehandlers) and pedestrians
• Trips and slips on cluttered decks, temporary stairs and access ways
• Electrical hazards from temporary power, overhead services and incomplete installations
• Confined space and poorly ventilated plant room or basement work
• Manual handling injuries during formwork, reinforcement, façade and materials handling
• Fire and emergency access issues in partially completed multi storey structures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Project Overview
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation
• 4.0 Planning, Design Interface and Pre-Construction Requirements
• 5.0 Site Establishment and Multi Storey Access Arrangements
• 6.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRA)
• 7.0 Construction Sequencing and Stage-by-Stage Controls
• 7.1 Basement and Substructure Works
• 7.2 Structural Frame Erection (Columns, Core, Slabs)
• 7.3 Formwork, Falsework and Temporary Propping
• 7.4 Façade, Cladding and Glazing Installation
• 7.5 Services Rough-in, Risers and Plant Areas
• 7.6 Internal Fit-out and Finishes
• 8.0 Working at Height and Edge Protection Requirements
• 9.0 Crane Operations, Hoisting and Materials Handling
• 10.0 Scaffolding, Mast Climbers and Vertical Access Systems
• 11.0 Traffic Management and Pedestrian Segregation on Multi-Level Sites
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Deck Control
• 13.0 Electrical Safety and Temporary Services in Multi Storey Builds
• 14.0 Coordination of Trades, Permits to Work and Interface Management
• 15.0 Inspection, Testing and Verification of Temporary and Permanent Structures
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness, Evacuation and Rescue from Height
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Non-Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and WHS Compliance Evidence
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variations)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (High Risk Construction Work provisions)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction (where applicable to low-rise elements)
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding series
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use series
• AS 3610.1 Formwork for concrete
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation