Product Overview

Summary: This Sloped Roof Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for working safely on pitched and sloped roofs in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control fall-from-height risks, standardise access and edge protection practices, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation.

Working on sloped roofs is one of the highest-risk activities in construction and maintenance, with falls from height remaining a leading cause of serious injury and fatalities across Australia. This Sloped Roof Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for planning, accessing and working on pitched roofs, ensuring that fall risks, fragile surfaces and weather-related hazards are systematically identified and controlled. It goes beyond generic height safety guidance by focusing specifically on the unique challenges of sloped roofing, such as unstable footing, limited anchor points, complex roof geometries and the interaction with other trades.

The procedure is designed to support PCBU obligations under WHS law by embedding a consistent, repeatable approach to roof access assessment, selection of edge protection or fall arrest systems, safe use of ladders and roof ladders, and emergency response planning for roof rescues. It helps supervisors and workers make defensible decisions about when work at height is reasonably necessary, which control measures are practicically achievable, and how to verify that systems are installed and used correctly. By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce incident rates, improve worker confidence, streamline inductions and toolbox talks, and provide clear evidence of risk management in the event of audits, client queries or regulator investigations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls from height by standardising how sloped roof work is planned, accessed and controlled.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant fall prevention standards for work on pitched roofs.
• Improve worker competency and confidence through clear, step-by-step instructions and defined responsibilities.
• Streamline pre-start checks, roof access approvals and contractor management processes on construction and maintenance sites.
• Provide defensible documentation to support incident investigations, regulator enquiries and client safety requirements.

Who is this for?

• Roofing Contractors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Facility and Maintenance Managers
• Builders and Principal Contractors
• Roof Plumbers
• Solar PV Installers
• Insurance Repair Assessors
• Handymen and Property Maintenance Workers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height from roof edges, gables and eaves
• Falls through fragile or brittle roofing materials (e.g. skylights, polycarbonate sheeting, asbestos cement)
• Slips and trips on steep or wet roof surfaces
• Incorrect use or failure of fall arrest systems and anchor points
• Ladder falls during roof access and egress
• Falling objects striking people below (tools, materials, debris)
• Structural instability of existing roofs or damaged trusses
• Adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain or heat stress
• Electrical hazards from overhead powerlines, solar PV systems or aerials
• Manual handling strains from carrying materials and equipment on sloped surfaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Roof Types
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment
• 5.0 Roof Access Assessment and Permit Requirements
• 6.0 Selection of Fall Prevention and Fall Arrest Controls
• 7.0 Required PPE and Height Safety Equipment
• 8.0 Inspection, Installation and Use of Edge Protection
• 9.0 Safe Use of Ladders, Roof Ladders and Walkways
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Working on Sloped Roofs
• 11.0 Managing Weather, Environmental and Electrical Hazards
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Material Handling and Control of Falling Objects
• 13.0 Emergency Response and Rescue from Height
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talk Guidance
• 15.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Records, Checklists and Inspection Forms (Templates)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory legislation)
• 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 1891.1: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Harnesses and ancillary equipment
• AS/NZS 1891.2: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Horizontal lifeline and rail systems
• AS/NZS 1891.4: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance
• AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for scaffolding
• Relevant state-based Codes of Practice or guidance on working at heights and roof work (e.g. SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe QLD)