Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out how to safely manage tenant occupancy during plastering works in occupied residential and commercial buildings. It provides a clear, WHS-aligned framework for controlling dust, noise, access, and exposure risks while maintaining tenant amenity and project productivity.

Plastering works in occupied buildings introduce a unique mix of WHS, tenant relations, and operational challenges. Dust, fumes, noise, restricted access and temporary loss of amenities can all impact tenant health, comfort and safety if not properly controlled. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical approach to planning and delivering plastering activities where tenants remain in situ, ensuring that both workers and occupants are protected and informed throughout the works.

The document guides you through pre-start planning with building owners and property managers, tenant communication protocols, risk assessment and control measures tailored to occupied environments, and staged work sequencing to minimise disruption. It addresses key issues such as segregating work zones, ventilation and dust control, safe access and egress for tenants, managing vulnerable occupants (e.g. children, elderly, people with respiratory conditions), and responding to complaints or incidents. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation, reduce the likelihood of disputes and claims, and maintain professional relationships with tenants while keeping projects on schedule.

Key Benefits

• Ensure tenant and worker safety by systematically controlling dust, noise, trip hazards and restricted access during plastering works.
• Reduce complaints, disputes and potential claims from tenants by standardising communication, notifications and agreed access arrangements.
• Demonstrate WHS due diligence and compliance when conducting construction activities in occupied premises.
• Minimise disruption to building operations and tenant activities through planned staging, scheduling and segregation of work areas.
• Support consistent supervision and contractor management with clear responsibilities, checklists and documentation requirements.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Forepersons
• WHS Managers
• Property Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Building Owners and Strata Managers
• Plastering Contractors
• Residential Builders
• Renovation and Fit-out Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Inhalation of plaster dust and associated respiratory irritation for tenants and workers
• Exposure to fumes from adhesives, sealants or jointing compounds in poorly ventilated spaces
• Slip, trip and fall hazards from cabling, hoses, offcuts, tools and wet compounds in shared access ways
• Restricted or unsafe access and egress for tenants due to temporary barriers, scaffolds or materials storage
• Noise exposure and disturbance to tenants from sanding, mixing and associated construction activities
• Contact with wet plastering materials causing skin or eye irritation
• Increased fire load or blocked exits due to improper storage of materials and waste in corridors or common areas
• Psychosocial stress for tenants arising from poor communication, unexpected disruptions or perceived safety risks
• Interaction between tenants (including children) and work areas, plant, ladders or mobile scaffolds

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Work Environments
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Builder, Principal Contractor, Property Manager, Tenants, Subcontractors)
• 4.0 Pre-Start Planning and Consultation with Building Owners and Property Managers
• 5.0 Tenant Communication and Notification Requirements
• 6.0 Risk Assessment for Plastering in Occupied Premises
• 7.0 Tenant Profiling and Special Considerations (Children, Elderly, Respiratory Conditions, Disability)
• 8.0 Access, Egress and Traffic Management for Tenants and Workers
• 9.0 Dust, Fume and Noise Control Measures
• 10.0 Segregation of Work Areas and Use of Barriers, Signage and Temporary Enclosures
• 11.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Cleaning in Shared and Common Areas
• 12.0 Work Scheduling, Staging and After-Hours Works Protocols
• 13.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protection Requirements
• 14.0 Interaction with Tenants – Behavioural Expectations and Complaint Handling
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response in Occupied Buildings
• 16.0 Documentation, Records and WHS Compliance Evidence
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talks for Workers and Subcontractors
• 18.0 Monitoring, Inspection 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 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Provisions relating to egress, fire safety and amenity in occupied buildings