Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning and delivering refurbishment and modernisation works safely in live or partially occupied workplaces. It helps Australian businesses manage WHS risks, minimise disruption to operations, and maintain compliance throughout complex upgrade projects.

Refurbishment and modernisation projects are often carried out in existing, live environments—offices, hospitals, schools, retail centres and industrial sites where people continue to work, visit or reside. This introduces a complex mix of WHS, operational and stakeholder risks that are very different to greenfield construction. The Refurbishment and Modernisation Steps Safe Operating Procedure lays out a clear, repeatable framework for planning, staging and executing upgrade works while controlling hazards such as asbestos disturbance, services isolation, public interface, dust, noise and contractor coordination.

This SOP guides your team from initial scoping and due diligence, through design review, risk assessment, staging and isolation planning, contractor induction and supervision, right through to commissioning and handover. It is tailored to the Australian WHS environment, supporting compliance with state and territory legislation, client requirements and insurer expectations. By standardising how refurbishment works are planned and delivered, businesses can reduce downtime, avoid costly rework, protect building occupants and workers, and demonstrate a robust, documented approach to managing change within existing assets.

Key Benefits

• Ensure refurbishment and modernisation works are planned and executed in line with Australian WHS legislation and client requirements.
• Reduce the likelihood of incidents related to live services, asbestos, falls, and public interface during upgrade projects.
• Streamline communication and coordination between building owners, occupants, contractors and specialist trades.
• Improve consistency and quality of refurbishment outcomes through a clear, step-by-step methodology.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, auditors and insurers with a documented, defensible process for managing refurbishment risk.

Who is this for?

• Project Managers
• Construction and Refurbishment Site Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Building Owners and Asset Managers
• Maintenance Managers
• Principal Contractors
• Operations Managers in Hospitals, Schools and Aged Care
• Strata and Property Managers
• Engineering and Services Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Uncontrolled contact with live electrical, gas, hydraulic and mechanical services during demolition or upgrade works
• Exposure to asbestos-containing materials and other hazardous substances in existing structures
• Falls from height and falls into penetrations or voids created during refurbishment
• Trips, slips and manual handling injuries in congested, partially occupied work areas
• Dust, noise and vibration impacts on workers, building occupants and the public
• Fire and ignition risks from hot works and temporary power during modernisation activities
• Uncontrolled access by occupants, visitors or the public into construction zones
• Confined space risks in plant rooms, ceiling voids, risers and service tunnels
• Structural instability or unplanned collapse when removing or altering existing elements
• Traffic and mobile plant interactions in and around operating facilities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope of Refurbishment and Modernisation Works
• 2.0 Definitions and Project Context
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Refurbishment Planning and Due Diligence
• 5.0 Site Assessment, Surveys and Hazard Identification (including Asbestos and Services Mapping)
• 6.0 Risk Assessment, WHS Management Planning and Permits
• 7.0 Staging, Sequencing and Isolation Planning for Live Environments
• 8.0 Communication, Stakeholder Engagement and Occupant Notification
• 9.0 Contractor Management, Induction and Site Access Control
• 10.0 Safe Work Methods for Demolition, Strip-Out and Structural Modifications
• 11.0 Control of Services, Lockout/Tagout and Verification of Isolation
• 12.0 Environmental Controls: Dust, Noise, Vibration and Waste Management
• 13.0 Traffic Management and Public Interface Controls
• 14.0 Use of PPE, Tools, Plant and Temporary Structures
• 15.0 Emergency Preparedness, Incident Response and First Aid
• 16.0 Quality Checks, Testing, Commissioning and Verification of Modernised Systems
• 17.0 Handover, Documentation and Sign-Off
• 18.0 Training, Competency and Review of the Procedure
• 19.0 Recordkeeping, Audits and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in relevant state or territory)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Demolition Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 2601: The demolition of structures
• National Construction Code (NCC) – relevant performance and safety requirements for building works