Product Overview

Summary: This Working Alone on Roofs Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing the extreme risks associated with solo work at height. It helps Australian businesses control fall hazards, meet WHS obligations, and ensure that any worker required to access a roof alone can do so under strictly managed, documented conditions.

Working alone on roofs presents a unique combination of high-risk hazards: working at height, exposure to weather, fragile surfaces, limited communication, and delayed emergency response. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, defensible approach for when and how lone work on roofs may occur, what controls must be in place, and how those controls are verified before anyone steps off the ladder. It turns a high‑risk activity into a managed process, with clear decision points, authorisations, and practical steps that can be followed on any site across Australia.

The document is designed for businesses that cannot always staff roof work with a full team, yet must still meet their duty of care under WHS legislation. It covers pre-work planning, roof access assessment, communication protocols, use of fall prevention and fall arrest systems, weather and environmental checks, and emergency and rescue planning specifically for lone workers. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of catastrophic falls, and give workers clear guidance on when it is safe to proceed and when work must be stopped or rescheduled.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS requirements for high-risk work and working at heights, even when only one worker is on the roof.
• Reduce the likelihood and severity of falls from height by standardising controls such as edge protection, harness systems, and no‑go zones.
• Strengthen lone worker safety by mandating communication check‑ins, escalation triggers, and clear stop‑work criteria.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients, and insurers through a documented, repeatable process for authorising and controlling solo roof work.
• Improve worker confidence and competence by providing a clear, step‑by‑step procedure tailored to working alone on roofs.

Who is this for?

• Roofers
• Maintenance Technicians
• HVAC Installers and Service Technicians
• Solar Panel Installers
• Electricians
• Facility and Building Managers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Property Management Supervisors
• Small Business Owners in Roofing and Solar

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from unprotected roof edges or through fragile roofing materials
• Trips and slips on wet, dusty, or uneven roof surfaces
• Isolation and delayed emergency response when working alone
• Weather-related risks such as high winds, rain, heat stress, and UV exposure
• Failure or incorrect use of fall prevention and fall arrest equipment
• Electrical hazards from overhead powerlines, solar PV systems, and rooftop plant
• Manual handling injuries when carrying tools and materials on ladders and roofs
• Access and egress risks when using ladders, roof hatches, and temporary access systems

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Lone Worker, Roof Work, Competent Person, Fall-Arrest System)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Pre-Work Planning and Authorisation for Lone Roof Work
• 5.0 Roof Access Assessment and Permit Requirements
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Working Alone on Roofs
• 7.0 Required Training, Competency and Licensing
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Fall Protection Requirements
• 9.0 Communication and Lone Worker Monitoring Procedures
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Working Alone on Roofs
• 11.0 Weather, Environmental and Site Condition Checks
• 12.0 Controls for Fragile Roofs, Skylights and Roof Openings
• 13.0 Electrical and Service-Related Hazard Controls (PV, plant, powerlines)
• 14.0 Emergency Response and Rescue Planning for Lone Workers
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Near Misses and Corrective Actions
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talk Requirements
• 17.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Height Safety Equipment
• 18.0 Recordkeeping and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Part 4.4 Falls
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Working Alone
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 5532: Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at height
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing (for weather and UV exposure)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use