Product Overview

Summary: This Temporary Works Design Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, defensible process for planning, designing, reviewing and controlling temporary works on Australian construction and infrastructure projects. It helps your team manage structural and WHS risks, align with Australian Standards, and provide a documented trail of engineering decisions that can withstand regulatory and client scrutiny.

Temporary works such as scaffolds, formwork, shoring, propping, crane foundations, temporary access platforms and excavation supports are often critical to delivering a project, yet they are frequently where the highest structural and safety risks sit. This Temporary Works Design Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, end‑to‑end process for how temporary works are identified, scoped, designed, checked, approved, implemented, monitored and dismantled on Australian sites. It clarifies who does what, when engineering sign‑off is required, and how design assumptions are communicated to site teams so that what is built reflects what was designed.

The procedure is designed to help organisations meet their duties under WHS legislation and client specifications by embedding a systematic approach to temporary works risk management. It tackles common problem areas such as undocumented design changes on site, unclear load paths, inadequate design verification, and poor coordination between designers and contractors. By implementing this SOP, your business can reduce the likelihood of structural failures, collapses and serious incidents, while also improving programme certainty, documentation quality and confidence in your engineering governance.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, auditable process for the design, review and approval of all temporary works on site.
• Reduce the risk of structural failures, collapses and serious incidents associated with inadequately designed temporary works.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation, client requirements and relevant Australian Standards.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities and communication pathways between designers, site teams and subcontractors.
• Streamline documentation, record‑keeping and design change control to minimise disputes, delays and rework.

Who is this for?

• Project Managers
• Construction Managers
• Site Managers
• Temporary Works Coordinators
• Design Engineers
• Structural Engineers
• WHS Managers
• Civil Supervisors
• Forepersons
• Principal Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Structural collapse of formwork, falsework and propping systems
• Failure of excavation support and shoring leading to ground collapse
• Instability of temporary access platforms, scaffolds and edge protection
• Overloading of temporary structures, slabs, decks and crane pads
• Uncontrolled movement or overturning of temporary support systems
• Falling objects from inadequately designed or secured temporary works
• Worker falls from height associated with temporary works installations
• Struck‑by and crush injuries during erection, modification and dismantling of temporary works

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Temporary Works
• 3.0 Legislative and Standards Framework
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Temporary Works Identification and Risk Classification
• 6.0 Design Brief Development and Design Inputs
• 7.0 Design Process, Calculations and Documentation Requirements
• 8.0 Design Verification, Checking and Engineering Sign‑off
• 9.0 Communication of Design Assumptions and Limitations to Site
• 10.0 Interface Management with Permanent Works and Other Trades
• 11.0 Control of Design Changes, Variations and Site Modifications
• 12.0 Installation, Inspection and Hold Point Requirements
• 13.0 Monitoring, Load Control and Ongoing Verification in Service
• 14.0 Dismantling, Demobilisation and Site Restoration
• 15.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls for Temporary Works
• 16.0 Emergency Response and Incident Management for Temporary Works Failures
• 17.0 Records, Document Control and Retention
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 19.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions
• AS 3610: Formwork for concrete (and AS 3610.1/3610.2 where applicable)
• AS 4100: Steel structures
• AS 4994.1: Temporary edge protection – General requirements
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding
• AS 4678: Earth-retaining structures
• AS 2159: Piling – Design and installation