Product Overview

Summary: This Open and Close Procedures Safe Operating Procedure clearly defines how to safely start up and shut down your workplace each day. It standardises critical checks, security controls, and WHS requirements so your team can confidently open the doors in the morning and leave the site safe, secure, and compliant at close of business.

Opening and closing a workplace is far more than turning lights on and off. These are high‑risk transition periods where cash is handled, plant and equipment are energised or shut down, and staff may be working alone or in low‑visibility environments. This Open and Close Procedures SOP provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework to manage those moments consistently, ensuring the site is safe to trade at the start of the day and left secure and compliant at the end.

Developed for Australian businesses across retail, hospitality, healthcare, light industrial and office environments, the procedure covers WHS pre‑start checks, site walk‑throughs, security and alarm protocols, cash handling touchpoints, emergency egress checks, and end‑of‑day shutdown of services and equipment. By embedding this SOP, you reduce the risk of incidents, near misses, and security breaches during opening and closing, while demonstrating due diligence under Australian WHS legislation and giving staff a simple, repeatable checklist they can actually follow.

Key Benefits

• Standardise daily open and close routines across all sites, shifts and managers.
• Reduce safety incidents by embedding pre‑start hazard checks and end‑of‑day inspections.
• Strengthen security by formalising alarm, key, access control and cash‑handling practices.
• Demonstrate WHS due diligence with documented procedures and records of daily checks.
• Improve staff confidence and accountability with clear, easy‑to‑follow checklists.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners
• Store Managers
• Duty Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Coordinators
• Facilities Managers
• Security Managers
• Hospitality Venue Managers
• Retail Operations Managers
• Practice Managers (clinics and allied health)

Hazards Addressed

• Unauthorised access during opening or closing (security breaches and robbery risk)
• Slips, trips and falls due to uninspected floors, spills or obstructed walkways at start/end of day
• Electrical and plant hazards from incorrect start‑up or shutdown of equipment
• Fire risk from unattended appliances, faulty equipment or blocked exits
• Lone worker risks when staff open or close the premises alone or after hours
• Manual handling injuries when moving stock, furniture or deliveries during setup/pack‑down
• Poor lighting conditions increasing risk of accidents during early morning or late evening
• Emergency egress issues from locked, blocked or non‑functional exits and exit lighting

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Managers, Supervisors, Staff, Security)
• 4.0 Pre‑Opening Requirements (training, authorisations, keys and access)
• 5.0 Opening Procedure – Step‑by‑Step Checklist
• 5.1 Arrival and Personal Safety Considerations
• 5.2 Unlocking, Alarm Disarming and Initial Security Check
• 5.3 WHS Pre‑Start Walk‑Through and Hazard Inspection
• 5.4 Plant, Equipment and Services Start‑Up Checks
• 5.5 Customer‑Ready Presentation and Housekeeping
• 6.0 Closing Procedure – Step‑by‑Step Checklist
• 6.1 Customer and Visitor Clearance
• 6.2 Cash Handling, Reconciliation and Secure Storage (high‑level controls)
• 6.3 End‑of‑Day WHS Inspection and Housekeeping
• 6.4 Shutdown of Plant, Equipment, Lighting and Services
• 6.5 Lock‑Up, Alarm Arming and Final Security Check
• 7.0 Lone Worker and After‑Hours Controls
• 8.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls Specific to Opening/Closing
• 9.0 Emergency Procedures During Opening and Closing (robbery, fire, medical, security)
• 10.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment (where applicable)
• 11.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Checklists and Audit Requirements
• 13.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (where relevant)
• AS 2293: Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines