Pre-start Meeting Guidelines Safe Operating Procedure

Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical guidelines for running effective pre-start meetings that focus on safety, task planning and communication before work begins. It helps Australian businesses create a consistent, legally defensible process for identifying hazards, allocating responsibilities and engaging workers at the start of every shift or job.

Pre-start meetings (also known as toolbox talks or pre-start briefings) are one of the most powerful – and often underused – tools for preventing incidents on Australian worksites. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable framework for planning and conducting pre-start meetings that go beyond a quick sign-on sheet. It outlines how to review the day’s tasks, discuss site-specific hazards, confirm controls, and ensure every worker understands their role before work commences.

The document is designed for a wide range of industries, including construction, civil, mining, manufacturing, utilities and maintenance services. It helps supervisors turn pre-starts into meaningful two-way conversations rather than tick-the-box exercises, supporting compliance with WHS due diligence obligations and consultation requirements. By implementing this SOP, businesses can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, capture changing site conditions early, and build a strong safety culture where workers feel informed, involved and heard at the start of every shift.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, high-quality pre-start meetings across all sites, crews and shifts.
• Reduce incidents and near misses by systematically identifying and controlling daily hazards before work begins.
• Strengthen WHS compliance by documenting consultation, risk discussions and worker attendance in line with Australian legislation.
• Improve communication and teamwork by clarifying daily tasks, interfaces between trades and individual responsibilities.
• Increase worker engagement and safety culture by encouraging two-way feedback and reporting of issues at the start of the day.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Team Leaders
• Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Operations Managers
• Construction Forepersons
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Manufacturing Line Leaders

Hazards Addressed

• Unidentified or uncontrolled site-specific hazards at the start of shift
• Miscommunication about high-risk work (e.g. work at heights, confined spaces, lifting operations)
• Conflicts between simultaneous activities (e.g. mobile plant and pedestrian interaction, hot works near flammables)
• Exposure to changing environmental conditions (weather, lighting, ground conditions)
• Fatigue, fitness for work and impairment risks (including alcohol and other drugs)
• Use of incorrect or uninspected tools, equipment or PPE
• Emergency response confusion due to unclear procedures or contact points

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Pre-start Meeting, Toolbox Talk, Supervisor, PCBU, HSR)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Pre-start Meeting Planning and Preparation Requirements
• 5.0 Standard Pre-start Meeting Agenda and Discussion Topics
• 6.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Confirmation
• 7.0 Communication of High-Risk Activities and Permit-Controlled Work
• 8.0 Worker Participation, Consultation and Issue Escalation
• 9.0 Documentation, Attendance Records and Recordkeeping
• 10.0 Frequency, Duration and Format of Pre-start Meetings
• 11.0 Managing Remote, Multi-lingual or Subcontractor Workforces
• 12.0 Integration with SWMS, JSA/JHA and Site Safety Plans
• 13.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements for Meeting Leaders
• 15.0 Monitoring, Audit and Compliance Checks
• 16.0 References and Related Documents

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) – Duties of PCBUs, Officers and Workers
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Relevant state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations (e.g. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (VIC))