Product Overview

Summary: This Tyre Pressure Check Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step method for safely inspecting and adjusting tyre pressures on work vehicles and mobile plant. It helps Australian businesses control vehicle-related risks, extend tyre life, and ensure vehicles are fit for purpose before entering the road or worksite.

Incorrect tyre pressure is one of the most overlooked contributors to vehicle incidents, equipment damage and unexpected downtime in Australian workplaces. Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres can lead to blowouts, poor handling, longer stopping distances and instability of loads, particularly on construction sites, rural roads, mines and industrial facilities. This Tyre Pressure Check Safe Operating Procedure provides a consistent, defensible process for checking, recording and adjusting tyre pressures on light vehicles, trucks, trailers, forklifts and other mobile plant used for work.

The procedure breaks down the task into safe, logical steps – from pre-start preparation and selection of the correct gauge and inflation equipment, through to isolation of vehicles, safe access to tyres, and post-check documentation. It supports compliance with Australian WHS duties by demonstrating that the business has taken reasonably practicable steps to maintain vehicles in a safe condition, while also reducing wear and fuel consumption. By implementing this SOP, organisations can standardise pre-start checks across their fleet, improve driver awareness of tyre-related hazards, and reduce the likelihood of tyre failures, rollovers and near misses on and off public roads.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of tyre blowouts, vehicle instability and loss-of-control incidents through consistent tyre pressure checks.
• Ensure compliance with WHS obligations to provide safe plant and vehicles by documenting a clear, repeatable inspection process.
• Extend tyre life and reduce fuel consumption by maintaining tyre pressures within manufacturer specifications.
• Standardise driver and operator pre-start checks across the fleet, improving accountability and record-keeping.
• Support incident investigations and audits with clear evidence of routine tyre pressure monitoring and maintenance.

Who is this for?

• Fleet Managers
• Workshop Supervisors
• Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians
• Truck and Delivery Drivers
• Plant and Machinery Operators
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Facilities and Maintenance Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Tyre blowouts due to under-inflation or damage
• Rim or tyre failure from over-inflation or incorrect inflation procedures
• Vehicle rollovers or loss of control from uneven or incorrect tyre pressures
• Crush injuries from vehicles moving unexpectedly during checks
• Hand and eye injuries from high-pressure air hoses or flying debris
• Musculoskeletal strain from poor posture or manual handling when accessing tyres
• Exposure to traffic and mobile plant in workshops, depots and worksites

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Manufacturer Requirements
• 5.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 6.0 Pre-Task Planning and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Vehicle and Work Area Preparation (Isolation, Parking and Traffic Management)
• 8.0 Tyre Pressure Check Procedure – Light Vehicles and Utilities
• 9.0 Tyre Pressure Check Procedure – Heavy Vehicles, Trailers and Mobile Plant
• 10.0 Safe Use of Tyre Pressure Gauges, Hoses and Inflation Equipment
• 11.0 Criteria for Defect Identification and Escalation (When to Tag Out a Vehicle)
• 12.0 Recording, Reporting and Maintenance Follow-Up
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures for Tyre or Rim Failure
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 15.0 Inspection, 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 Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – General Guide for Workplace Traffic Management
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS 4457.1: Earth-moving machinery – Tyre assemblies and rims
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems
• Manufacturer tyre and vehicle specifications (OEM manuals) – as referenced in the procedure