Product Overview

Summary: This Roof Tiling Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe and compliant method for planning and carrying out roof tiling works on Australian construction sites. It helps businesses control high-risk work at height, protect workers from falls and manual handling injuries, and deliver consistent, high‑quality roof finishes that stand up to local weather conditions.

Roof tiling is inherently high‑risk work, combining work at height, exposure to the elements, and repetitive manual handling of heavy and fragile materials. Without a structured procedure, businesses face an increased likelihood of falls from roofs, tile breakage, damage to underlay and framing, and non‑compliance with Australian WHS legislation. This Roof Tiling Safe Operating Procedure provides a practical, step‑by‑step framework for planning, setting up, and carrying out roof tiling tasks safely and efficiently on new builds, repairs and re‑roofing projects.

Developed for the Australian construction environment, this SOP aligns with WHS regulations and industry best practice, covering everything from site assessment, edge protection and safe access, through to material handling, laying patterns, cutting tiles, and clean‑up. It clarifies who is responsible for each stage of the work, the minimum controls required for working at height, and how to manage hazards such as brittle roofing surfaces, powerlines, heat stress and changing weather. By implementing this procedure, roofing businesses and builders can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident rates, support consistent worker training, and deliver durable, compliant roofs for their clients.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS requirements for work at height and construction work.
• Reduce the risk of falls, slips and trips during roof tiling activities through structured controls and clear work methods.
• Standardise roof tiling practices across crews, improving quality, productivity and rework rates.
• Support faster onboarding and competency development for new and apprentice roof tilers.
• Provide clear evidence of safe systems of work to clients, principal contractors and regulators.

Who is this for?

• Roof Tilers
• Roofing Leading Hands
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Builders and Principal Contractors
• Apprentice Roof Tilers
• Safety Advisors
• Small Roofing Business Owners
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolds and incomplete structures
• Falls through brittle or fragile roofing surfaces (e.g. skylights, old tiles, asbestos cement sheets)
• Slips and trips on loose tiles, offcuts, tools and debris on the roof
• Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive lifting, carrying and placing heavy roof tiles
• Struck-by injuries from falling tiles, tools or materials to persons below
• Contact with overhead or adjacent electrical services and powerlines
• Cuts and lacerations from tile cutting equipment and sharp edges
• Heat stress, dehydration and sun exposure while working on roofs
• Adverse weather exposure including wind, rain and lightning during roof work
• Dust and silica exposure from cutting concrete or terracotta tiles

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Start Planning and Site Assessment
• 9.0 Working at Height Controls and Access (Scaffolds, Edge Protection, Ladders, Harnesses)
• 10.0 Delivery, Handling and Storage of Roof Tiles and Materials
• 11.0 Roof Preparation and Underlay Installation
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Roof Tiling Procedure (Setting Out, Laying, Fixing and Finishing)
• 13.0 Safe Use of Tile Cutting Tools and Dust Control Measures
• 14.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 15.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Measures
• 16.0 Adverse Weather and Heat Stress Management
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures and Rescue from Heights
• 18.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Monitoring of Controls
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Review of the SOP
• 20.0 Document Control and Record Keeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – Part 4.4 Falls
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for scaffolding
• AS/NZS 4994 series: Temporary edge protection
• AS 2050: Installation of roof tiles
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets