Product Overview

Summary: This Temporary Facility Installation SOP provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning, installing, commissioning and demobilising temporary site facilities in a safe, compliant and efficient manner. It supports Australian businesses to meet WHS obligations while ensuring amenities such as site offices, crib rooms, toilets, storage units and portable structures are installed correctly, safely and ready for use on time.

Temporary facilities – including site offices, amenities blocks, storage containers, change rooms and portable buildings – are critical to keeping projects running and workers safe and productive. However, poorly planned or ad‑hoc installation can introduce significant risks: unstable structures, electrical hazards, inadequate access and egress, poor hygiene, and non-compliance with WHS and building requirements. This Temporary Facility Installation Safe Operating Procedure sets out a robust, repeatable process for establishing temporary facilities on Australian worksites, from initial planning and site selection through to installation, commissioning, inspection and eventual removal.

The SOP helps organisations demonstrate due diligence by integrating WHS risk management into every stage of temporary facility installation. It addresses practical issues such as ground stability, traffic interaction, separation of plant and pedestrians, connection of temporary services, fire safety, emergency access, lighting, ventilation and worker amenities. By standardising the process, businesses can reduce installation errors, avoid costly rework and regulatory intervention, and provide a safe, functional environment for workers, contractors and visitors across construction, infrastructure, mining, events and remote operations.

Designed for the Australian regulatory context, this document supports compliance with WHS legislation, relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practice. It gives supervisors and project teams a clear, defensible method for planning and documenting temporary facility installations, making it easier to brief contractors, train new staff and verify that each setup is safe before occupation.

Key Benefits

• Ensure temporary facilities are installed safely, structurally stable and fit for purpose before workers occupy the site.
• Reduce WHS risks associated with electrical connections, slips, trips and falls, vehicle interaction and emergency access around temporary buildings.
• Streamline planning, approvals and sign‑off for temporary facility setups, reducing delays and costly rework.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant standards for amenities, fire safety and electrical installations.
• Standardise installation practices across multiple sites and contractors, improving consistency, documentation quality and audit readiness.

Who is this for?

• Project Managers
• Site Managers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Facilities and Services Coordinators
• Civil and Construction Contractors
• Event Operations Managers
• Mining and Resources Site Supervisors
• Infrastructure Delivery Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Structural instability or collapse of temporary buildings, site sheds and containers
• Trips, slips and falls due to poor access, uneven ground, inadequate steps, ramps or lighting
• Vehicle and mobile plant collisions with temporary facilities or pedestrian routes
• Electrical shock, electrocution or fire from unsafe temporary power connections and cabling
• Blocked or inadequate emergency exits and assembly areas
• Poor hygiene and health issues from incorrectly installed or serviced toilets and wash facilities
• Manual handling injuries during placement, levelling and setup of portable structures and equipment
• Exposure to extreme heat, cold or poor ventilation in inadequately installed facilities
• Falling objects from unsecured fixtures, fittings or overhead services associated with temporary structures
• Environmental contamination from spills, waste mismanagement or inadequate drainage around temporary facilities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Temporary Facilities
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre‑Installation Planning and Site Assessment
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures
• 7.0 Selection and Layout of Temporary Facilities
• 8.0 Ground Conditions, Foundations and Structural Stability
• 9.0 Access, Egress and Pedestrian/Vehicle Separation
• 10.0 Temporary Electrical and Services Installation Requirements
• 11.0 Fire Safety, Emergency Access and Evacuation Arrangements
• 12.0 Worker Amenities (Toilets, Wash Facilities, Lunchrooms and Change Rooms)
• 13.0 Installation Procedure – Step‑by‑Step Instructions
• 14.0 Commissioning, Inspection and Handover Checklist
• 15.0 Signage, Lighting and Security Requirements
• 16.0 Environmental Considerations (Drainage, Waste and Noise)
• 17.0 Ongoing Inspection, Maintenance and Monitoring
• 18.0 Change Management and Relocation of Temporary Facilities
• 19.0 Decommissioning and Removal Procedure
• 20.0 Training, Induction and Communication
• 21.0 Records, Documentation and Audit Requirements

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
• AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (where relevant to storage facilities)
• AS/NZS 1170: Structural design actions (for structural adequacy of temporary buildings and platforms)
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities