Free Safe Operating Procedure (Edge Protection) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Edge Protection) Template

Working at heights is a high-risk activity, and unprotected edges are a leading contributor to serious incidents. This Free Safe Operating Procedure (Edge Protection) Template provides a structured framework for documenting the safe installation, use, inspection, maintenance, and dismantling of temporary edge protection systems.

Its primary purpose is to provide clear, step-by-step instructions to workers, ensuring a consistent and safe approach to controlling the risk of falls. By formalising these processes, you create a reliable reference for training, inductions, and operational checks.

A documented SOP serves as a critical tool in your risk management toolkit. It helps your organisation meet its duties under WHS legislation by demonstrating a planned, systematic approach to safety.

This procedure should form one part of your broader safety framework, which should include comprehensive WHS management systems to ensure all hazards are systematically addressed.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Edge Protection) Template

This template is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience. The DOCX file is fully editable, allowing you to adapt it to the unique requirements of your workplace, specific sites, and the types of edge protection systems you use (e.g., scaffolding with guardrails, proprietary screen systems, or safety nets).

It is designed as a starting point, not a finished document.

To use it effectively, you must review every section and add site-specific information. This includes details such as:

• Specific roles and responsibilities (e.g., who is authorised to install, inspect, or remove systems).
• The types of edge protection equipment used on your site.
• Site-specific hazard identification and risk controls.
• Emergency procedures and rescue plans relevant to a fall incident.
• The frequency and criteria for inspections.

Important: We have drafted this template to be aligned with the model WHS framework, but it is not a complete, out-of-the-box solution. You must customise it with your specific operational details to ensure it is suitable for your workplace and effectively controls your identified risks.

When to use an SOP for Edge Protection

An SOP for edge protection should be implemented on any site where there is a risk of a person or object falling from one level to another. It is particularly critical in construction, maintenance, and repair work.

Use this procedure for activities occurring on or near rooftops, mezzanines, balconies, open floors, excavations, and other platforms where a fall hazard exists. In construction, this is especially relevant for any work where there is a risk of a fall of two metres or more.

This SOP should be used as the primary guide for all workers involved with edge protection. It complements other task-specific documents, such as a Telehandler SOP when mobile plant is used near an unprotected edge.

It serves as a key document for worker training, site inductions, and for supervisors conducting pre-start talks or safety observations.

Who should use it

This Safe Operating Procedure template is intended for use by anyone responsible for workplace health and safety. This includes:

• Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs): To help fulfil their primary duty of care.
• Project Managers and Site Supervisors: To manage day-to-day operations and ensure crews follow established safety protocols.
• WHS Managers and Safety Officers: To develop, implement, and review safety documentation as part of the wider WHS system.
• Workers and Installers: As a clear guide for performing their tasks safely and correctly.

It is valuable for any organisation aiming to standardise its approach to managing fall hazards. This includes anyone involved in high-risk construction work, where other procedures like a trencher SOP may also be required for related site activities. Having clear, repeatable instructions is vital for consistency. Just as you would have a circular saw SOP for power tool safety, this document formalises the process for managing fall risks. Regular reviews of the SOP are also critical and can be integrated into your WHS compliance auditing schedule to ensure ongoing suitability. Find more helpful documents like this in our free WHS resources library.