Product Overview

Summary: This Temporary Structures Compliance Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning, erecting, inspecting and dismantling temporary structures in line with Australian WHS and building requirements. It helps organisations demonstrate due diligence, protect workers and the public, and prevent collapses, electrical incidents and weather-related failures on sites and events of any size.

Temporary structures such as scaffolds, stages, marquees, gantries, hoardings, temporary platforms and viewing stands are common across construction, events and maintenance activities in Australia. When they are poorly designed, installed or monitored, they present a significant risk of collapse, falling objects, electrical contact and public injury, exposing businesses to prosecution under WHS legislation and local planning laws. This Safe Operating Procedure establishes a consistent, defensible process for ensuring that every temporary structure is planned, authorised, installed, inspected, used and dismantled safely and in accordance with Australian requirements.

The procedure guides you from initial risk assessment and engineering sign-off through to contractor management, site layout, exclusion zones, load limits, weather monitoring and incident response. It clarifies who is responsible for what – from principal contractor to specialist installers and on-site supervisors – and embeds mandatory checks and documentation at each stage of the structure’s lifecycle. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce reliance on informal practices, standardise expectations across multiple sites or events, and provide clear evidence of compliance to regulators, clients and insurers.

Designed specifically for the Australian context, this SOP references relevant WHS laws, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice, and can be adapted to cover a wide range of temporary works, including scaffolding, temporary roofs, stages, seating banks, marquees, site sheds and access platforms. It is ideal for organisations seeking a practical, ready-to-use framework that lifts safety performance while supporting efficient project delivery.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent compliance with Australian WHS legislation and local council requirements for temporary structures.
• Reduce the risk of structural failure, collapse and falling objects that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
• Standardise planning, approval and inspection processes across all sites, events and projects.
• Demonstrate clear due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers through documented procedures and records.
• Improve coordination between engineers, contractors, installers and site management, reducing delays and rework.

Who is this for?

• Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Event Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Scaffolding and Rigging Supervisors
• Facilities and Operations Managers
• Local Council Compliance Officers
• Principal Contractors
• Temporary Works Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Structural instability and collapse of temporary structures
• Falls from height during erection, alteration and dismantling
• Falling objects from elevated platforms, stages or scaffolds
• Electrical contact with overhead or underground services
• Trips, slips and impact injuries around poorly designed access routes
• Wind loading and extreme weather impacts on marquees, stages and hoardings
• Overloading of platforms, stages, grandstands and scaffolds
• Vehicle and mobile plant interaction with temporary structures
• Unauthorised access by workers or members of the public
• Manual handling and musculoskeletal injuries during assembly and pack-down

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Temporary Structures
• 3.0 Legal and Other Requirements
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Planning, Design and Engineering Approval
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Site Assessment Requirements
• 7.0 Selection of Contractors and Installers
• 8.0 Pre-Installation Checks and Permits
• 9.0 Erection and Installation Procedure
• 10.0 Load Limits, Signage and Access Control
• 11.0 Inspection, Verification and Handover
• 12.0 Monitoring, Weather Management and Ongoing Checks
• 13.0 Use, Access, Housekeeping and Public Interface Controls
• 14.0 Modification, Relocation and Change Management
• 15.0 Dismantling and Demobilisation Procedure
• 16.0 Emergency Response and Incident Management
• 17.0 Documentation, Records and Retention
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Communication
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variations)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variations)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Guide to Formwork and Falsework (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions (including wind loads)
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding
• AS/NZS 4994 series: Temporary edge protection
• AS 4687: Temporary fencing and hoardings
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules) – for temporary electrical interfaces
• Relevant state and territory event and temporary structure guidelines (e.g. local council event guidelines)