Product Overview

Summary: This Workplace Safety in Tyre Shops SOP sets out clear, practical steps to control the unique risks of tyre retail, fitting and repair environments. It helps Australian tyre businesses protect workers from common injury sources such as manual handling, vehicle movement, compressed air, and hazardous substances, while demonstrating compliance with WHS duties.

Tyre shops present a complex mix of high-risk activities in a relatively small footprint: heavy manual handling of wheels, constant vehicle movement, the use of hoists and jacks, high-pressure inflation equipment, and exposure to noise, fumes and chemicals. Without a structured approach, these everyday tasks can quickly result in sprains and strains, crush injuries, eye and face injuries, or serious harm from tyre explosions and vehicle falls. This Workplace Safety in Tyre Shops Safe Operating Procedure provides a comprehensive, step-by-step framework to manage these risks in line with Australian WHS expectations.

The SOP translates legislative duties and industry best practice into clear actions your team can follow on the workshop floor. It covers everything from pre-start checks and safe vehicle handling through to correct lifting techniques, safe wheel and tyre inflation practices, safe use of rattle guns and other tools, housekeeping, and emergency response. By implementing this procedure, tyre shops can standardise safe work methods across all staff and shifts, support effective induction and refresher training, reduce incident rates and workers compensation costs, and provide documented evidence of a systematic approach to safety if regulators or insurers come knocking.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries from lifting, carrying and fitting heavy wheels and tyres.
• Ensure safe vehicle movement, jacking and hoisting practices to prevent crush and strike incidents.
• Standardise tyre inflation and bead seating procedures to minimise the risk of tyre explosions and eye/face injuries.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS laws and relevant Codes of Practice for plant, hazardous manual tasks and hazardous chemicals.
• Improve workshop layout, housekeeping and traffic management, creating a safer and more efficient working environment.

Who is this for?

• Tyre Shop Owners
• Tyre Fitters and Technicians
• Workshop Managers
• Service Managers
• WHS Officers and Safety Advisors
• Automotive Workshop Supervisors
• Fleet Maintenance Managers
• Dealership Service Department Leaders
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Manual handling of wheels and tyres leading to sprains, strains and back injuries
• Vehicle movement in and out of bays causing collision or crush incidents
• Failure of jacks, stands or hoists resulting in vehicles falling on workers
• High-pressure tyre inflation causing tyre or rim explosions and flying debris
• Noise exposure from rattle guns, compressors and workshop equipment
• Use of rattle guns and torque tools causing over- or under-tightened wheel nuts
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals such as tyre lubricants, solvents and cleaning agents
• Slips, trips and falls from oil, water, tools and parts left on the floor
• Eye injuries from flying particles, dust, metal fragments and compressed air misuse
• Hand and finger injuries from pinch points, sharp edges and bead-breaking tools
• Fire risks from flammable liquids, rubber dust and hot work in the workshop
• Fatigue and heat stress in poorly ventilated or hot workshop environments

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Legislation
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Tyre Shops
• 5.0 Workshop Layout, Traffic Management and Vehicle Movement Controls
• 6.0 Safe Use of Jacks, Hoists, Stands and Wheel Aligners
• 7.0 Manual Handling of Wheels and Tyres – Safe Techniques and Aids
• 8.0 Tyre Removal, Fitting and Balancing Procedures
• 9.0 Safe Tyre Inflation and Deflation (Including Use of Safety Cages and Remote Inflators)
• 10.0 Use of Power Tools, Rattle Guns and Torque Wrenches
• 11.0 Hazardous Chemicals Management (Storage, Handling and Spill Response)
• 12.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements and Use
• 13.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Considerations
• 14.0 Noise Management and Hearing Protection
• 15.0 Working with Customers and Public Safety in Retail Areas
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Fire, Injury, Tyre Explosion, Vehicle Fall)
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Refresher Requirements
• 19.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Recordkeeping
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

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 – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where work at height on vehicles or racks is involved)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 2210 series: Occupational protective footwear