Free Safe Operating Procedure (Aircraft Jacking) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Aircraft Jacking) Template

Aircraft jacking is a high-risk maintenance task that demands precision, planning, and a deep understanding of safety protocols. An error can lead to catastrophic failure, causing severe injury, extensive aircraft damage, and significant operational downtime.

This Free Safe Operating Procedure (Aircraft Jacking) Template provides a structured framework for documenting the specific steps, hazards, and control measures required to perform this task safely at your facility. It is designed to assist your organisation in meeting its work health and safety obligations by formalising a critical process.

Using a standardised SOP helps ensure that every team member follows the same verified process every time, reducing the risk of human error. It serves as a vital training tool for new personnel and a reference for experienced technicians.

Formalising your procedures is a cornerstone of effective WHS management systems, demonstrating a proactive approach to risk management.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Aircraft Jacking) Template

This template is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience. The DOCX file is fully editable, allowing you to tailor the content to your unique operational context.

Simply download the document and begin customising it with information specific to your workplace, including the types of aircraft you service, the specific jacking equipment used, and your site's environmental conditions.

Important: This is a template only. We have provided a comprehensive starting point based on Australian WHS principles, but you must customise this document to reflect the specific aircraft, equipment, environment, and personnel at your workplace.

It is not a complete, out-of-the-box solution. After customisation, a competent person should review and approve the final document before implementation.

Consider engaging professional WHS compliance auditing services to verify the effectiveness of your customised procedures.

Key Elements to Customise

• Aircraft Specifics: Detail the specific models of aircraft the SOP applies to, referencing the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) for jacking points, weights, and limitations.
• Equipment Details: List the make, model, and capacity of jacks, tail stands, and any ancillary equipment. Include pre-use inspection criteria for this equipment.
• Personnel: Define the roles, responsibilities, and required competencies for the jacking team (e.g., team leader, jack operators, safety observer).
• Emergency Procedures: Outline the specific steps to take in case of jack failure, hydraulic leak, or unexpected aircraft movement.

When to use it

A Safe Operating Procedure for aircraft jacking should be consulted and followed every time an aircraft needs to be lifted for maintenance, inspections, repairs, gear retraction tests, or weighing. Its use is mandatory for all personnel involved in the jacking operation, from the initial planning stages through to the final lowering and securing of the aircraft.

This procedure should be integrated with other relevant safety documents, such as your risk assessments and permits to work. Many maintenance tasks also rely on other equipment, each requiring its own procedure, such as our free Air Compressor SOP template for tasks involving pneumatic tools.

Who should use it

This Safe Operating Procedure template is intended for use by organisations and individuals involved in aircraft maintenance. This includes:

• Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAMEs)
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs)
• Maintenance Supervisors and Managers
• Work Health and Safety (WHS) Officers
• Aviation Training Organisations

The SOP should be readily accessible to all workers performing the task. It provides the practical, step-by-step guidance they need to work safely, while also giving supervisors a clear standard against which to monitor performance and supports your compliance efforts. For complex operations involving the movement of other large components within the hangar, you may also need procedures like a Telehandler SOP.

Proper access to jacking points and other areas of the aircraft is also a critical safety consideration. Ensure you have documented procedures for tasks like working at height, even for seemingly simple equipment.

Our Step Ladder SOP provides a useful starting point for these ancillary tasks. Explore our complete free WHS resources library for more templates to support your safety management system.