Product Overview

Summary: This Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical requirements for the safe use, inspection and management of vehicles, plant and mobile equipment in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations control high-risk activities such as driving on-site, operating forklifts, and using mobile plant, while supporting compliance with WHS legislation and road transport laws.

Vehicles and mobile equipment are among the highest risk factors on Australian worksites, contributing to a significant proportion of serious injuries and fatalities every year. This Vehicle and Mobile Equipment SOP provides a structured, end-to-end framework for how vehicles, forklifts, earthmoving plant, telehandlers, mobile cranes and similar equipment are selected, inspected, operated, parked and maintained. It translates WHS and road safety requirements into clear, step-by-step instructions that workers and supervisors can actually follow on the ground.

The procedure addresses common risk areas such as traffic management, reversing, loading and unloading, interaction with pedestrians, operation in adverse weather or low-visibility conditions, and the use of seatbelts and other safety devices. It also defines responsibilities for pre-start checks, defect reporting, isolation and tagging, and contractor management where third-party vehicles are used on site. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident rates, and ensure a consistent, defensible approach to managing mobile plant and vehicle risks across all locations.

This document is designed to be adaptable across industries, including construction, manufacturing, warehousing, civil infrastructure, mining, utilities and local government. It supports integration with your existing traffic management plans, fatigue management policies and maintenance systems, providing a practical tool that frontline leaders can use for inductions, toolbox talks and ongoing competency assessment.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of collisions, run-overs and crush injuries involving vehicles, plant and pedestrians.
• Ensure consistent pre-start inspections, defect reporting and maintenance of all vehicles and mobile equipment.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation, road rules and relevant Australian Standards for mobile plant.
• Standardise training and competency expectations for drivers and operators across multiple sites.
• Improve operational efficiency by minimising unplanned downtime, equipment damage and incident-related delays.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• Mine and Quarry Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Plant Operators
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle–pedestrian collisions and run-over incidents
• Mobile plant rollovers and tip-overs
• Crush injuries between vehicles, plant and fixed structures
• Struck-by incidents from moving or swinging loads
• Poor visibility and blind spots during reversing and manoeuvring
• Unsecured loads shifting or falling during transport
• Mechanical failure due to inadequate inspection or maintenance
• Fatigue-related driving incidents on and off site
• Slips, trips and falls while accessing or egressing vehicles and plant
• Noise, vibration and ergonomic strain from prolonged operation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Vehicles/Mobile Equipment
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Use
• 5.0 Traffic Management and Pedestrian Interaction Controls
• 6.0 Pre-Start Inspections and Safety Checks
• 7.0 Safe Operating Procedures for Vehicles and Mobile Plant
• 8.0 Loading, Unloading and Load Restraint Requirements
• 9.0 Parking, Securing and Isolation of Vehicles and Equipment
• 10.0 Defect Reporting, Tagging Out and Maintenance Coordination
• 11.0 Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Devices
• 12.0 Contractor and Visitor Vehicle Management
• 13.0 Fatigue Management and Fitness for Duty Considerations
• 14.0 Emergency Response, Incident Reporting and Near Miss Management
• 15.0 Training, Induction, Supervision and Competency Verification
• 16.0 Record Keeping, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 References, Related Documents and Legislative Requirements

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variations)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variations)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Traffic Management for Workplaces (guidance material)
• AS 2359 series: Powered industrial trucks (forklifts) – Safety and operation
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery
• AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches (where applicable)
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and associated regulations (where applicable)
• Road Rules and Road Transport Acts applicable in each state and territory