Product Overview

Summary: This Terrazzo Installation Procedures Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step method for installing terrazzo flooring safely, consistently and to a high finish. It supports Australian WHS compliance while helping construction and fit‑out teams deliver durable, defect‑free terrazzo surfaces on time and on budget.

Terrazzo is a premium flooring and wall finish that demands precise installation methods, strict surface preparation, and disciplined safety practices. Poorly controlled mixing, incorrect substrate treatment, or inadequate curing can lead to cracking, delamination, staining, and costly rectification works. At the same time, terrazzo installation exposes workers to a range of hazards, including manual handling risks, respirable crystalline silica dust from grinding and cutting, chemical exposure from binders and sealers, and slips, trips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces.

This Terrazzo Installation Procedures Safe Operating Procedure provides a comprehensive, WHS‑aligned framework for planning and delivering terrazzo works across commercial, industrial and residential projects in Australia. It walks your team through pre‑start checks, substrate assessment, mixing and placement, grinding and polishing, sealing, and final inspection, while embedding risk controls at every stage. By adopting this SOP, businesses can standardise workmanship across crews and sites, reduce rework and warranty claims, protect workers from key installation hazards, and demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation and relevant standards.

Key Benefits

• Standardise terrazzo installation methods across projects to achieve consistent, high‑quality finishes.
• Reduce safety risks associated with cutting, grinding, chemical handling and manual handling during terrazzo works.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS obligations and applicable standards for concrete and stone‑like flooring systems.
• Minimise defects, callbacks and warranty claims through clear quality checkpoints and acceptance criteria.
• Streamline onboarding and training for new installers and subcontractors with a clear, documented procedure.

Who is this for?

• Terrazzo Installers
• Flooring Contractors
• Tilers and Stonemasons
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Advisors and Safety Officers
• Building and Facilities Managers
• Quality Assurance Managers in Construction
• Shopfitting and Commercial Fit‑out Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust during cutting, grinding and polishing of terrazzo surfaces
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and moving heavy bags of aggregates, cement, resins and equipment
• Chemical exposure and skin/eye irritation from binders, pigments, epoxy resins, adhesives and sealers
• Noise exposure from grinders, polishers and cutting equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, uneven or obstructed work areas
• Electrical hazards from powered grinders, polishers and vacuum systems in wet environments
• Flying particles and projectiles from grinding and cutting operations
• Contact with rotating machinery and entanglement in moving parts of grinders and polishers
• Inhalation of nuisance dust from dry mixing of cements and aggregates

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Required Competencies and Training
• 6.0 Tools, Plant, Materials and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 7.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Site Preparation
• 8.0 Substrate Inspection, Testing and Preparation
• 9.0 Mixing, Placement and Levelling of Terrazzo
• 10.0 Curing, Protection and Environmental Controls
• 11.0 Grinding, Polishing and Dust Control Procedures
• 12.0 Application of Sealers, Joint Treatments and Finishing Details
• 13.0 Quality Assurance, Tolerances and Inspection Checklists
• 14.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Control Measures
• 15.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Controls
• 16.0 Hazardous Chemicals and Silica Dust Management
• 17.0 Electrical Safety and Equipment Maintenance
• 18.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Considerations
• 19.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
• 20.0 Documentation, Records and Review of Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace: Code of Practice (as guidance for silica controls)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation (as applicable to access and work platforms)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS 1884: Floor coverings – Resilient sheet and tiles – Installation (as guidance for substrate preparation and adhesion practices)
• AS 3600: Concrete structures (for substrate and concrete‑related guidance where relevant)