Product Overview

Summary: This Search and Recovery Operations SOP provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning and conducting land, water, and confined space search and recovery activities safely and lawfully in Australia. It helps organisations control high-risk field operations, coordinate effectively with emergency services, and protect workers, volunteers, and the public during time-critical incidents.

Search and recovery operations are some of the most complex and high-risk activities an organisation can undertake. Whether responding to a missing person on a remote site, recovering property from a marine environment, or supporting police operations, there are significant hazards, legal sensitivities, and coordination challenges. This Search and Recovery Operations Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, defensible method for planning, authorising, and conducting these operations in line with Australian WHS legislation and accepted emergency management practice.

The SOP sets out a complete lifecycle approach, from initial notification and risk assessment through to deployment, search pattern execution, communication protocols, scene preservation, recovery activities, demobilisation, and post-incident debriefing. It clarifies roles and responsibilities, integrates with existing emergency management plans, and embeds controls for fatigue, environmental exposure, psychological risk, and interaction with police and coronial processes. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, significantly reduce the likelihood of secondary incidents or injuries, and ensure their teams operate professionally, respectfully, and in coordination with statutory authorities.

This document is particularly valuable for organisations operating in remote, high-risk or public-facing environments—such as councils, universities, industrial facilities, mining operations, maritime operators and large event venues—who may be called upon to assist in search or recovery activities before specialist agencies arrive. It transforms ad hoc responses into a consistent, trained, and auditable system of work that stands up to internal review and external scrutiny.

Key Benefits

• Ensure search and recovery operations are conducted in accordance with Australian WHS legislation and emergency management best practice.
• Reduce the risk of injury or fatality to responders by standardising risk assessment, PPE, and safe work methods for high-risk environments.
• Improve coordination with police, emergency services, and other agencies through clear communication, escalation, and handover protocols.
• Protect the integrity of potential crime scenes and coronial investigations by defining evidence preservation and documentation requirements.
• Support responder wellbeing by embedding controls for fatigue management, psychological support, and post-incident debriefing.

Who is this for?

• Emergency Response Team Leaders
• Search and Rescue Coordinators
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Security and Risk Managers
• Local Government Emergency Management Officers
• Mine Site Emergency Response Coordinators
• Marine Operations Supervisors
• Remote Site Managers
• Training and Competency Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Drowning and immersion in water during marine or flood-related searches
• Falls from height and slips, trips and falls in rough, unstable or low-visibility terrain
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, storms) and associated heat stress or hypothermia
• Fatigue-related incidents due to extended or overnight search operations
• Vehicle incidents during rapid deployment or off-road driving in search areas
• Confined space hazards including toxic atmospheres, oxygen deficiency or engulfment
• Biological hazards from contact with deceased persons or contaminated water
• Psychological trauma and critical incident stress for personnel involved in recovery of deceased persons
• Manual handling injuries during retrieval and transport of casualties or heavy equipment
• Navigation errors leading to responders becoming lost, isolated or entering unsafe areas
• Struck-by hazards from boats, rescue craft or helicopters in multi-agency operations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Operational Context
• 3.0 Legislative and Standards Framework
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Activation, Notification and Authorisation of Operations
• 6.0 Pre-Deployment Planning and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Coordination with Police, Emergency Services and Other Agencies
• 8.0 PPE, Equipment Requirements and Pre-Use Checks
• 9.0 Search Planning, Zoning and Search Pattern Selection
• 10.0 Land-Based Search Procedures
• 11.0 Water-Based and Marine Search Procedures
• 12.0 Confined Space and High-Risk Environment Considerations
• 13.0 Communication Protocols and Command Structure (ICS/IMT Integration)
• 14.0 Scene Preservation, Evidence Handling and Documentation
• 15.0 Recovery Operations, Handling of Deceased Persons and Property
• 16.0 Fatigue Management and Shift Scheduling
• 17.0 Health, Safety and Welfare of Responders (including Psychological Support)
• 18.0 Emergency and Contingency Procedures for Responders in Distress
• 19.0 Demobilisation, Equipment Decontamination and Return to Service
• 20.0 Post-Incident Debrief, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Training, Drills and Record Keeping Requirements

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and model Work Health and Safety Regulations, as implemented in relevant States and Territories
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (noting transition to ISO 45001)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 1891 series – Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (for operations near edges or at height)
• AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 Occupational diving operations (where diving-based recovery is undertaken)
• State and Territory Emergency Management Acts and arrangements (e.g. NSW State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989)
• Coroners legislation applicable in the relevant State or Territory (for handling of deceased persons and preservation of evidence)