Free Safe Operating Procedure (Gas Cooktop) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Gas Cooktop) Template

Using commercial gas cooktops introduces significant workplace hazards, including fires, burns, and gas leaks. A formal Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) is a critical tool for managing these risks by providing clear, step-by-step instructions for workers.

This free Safe Operating Procedure (Gas Cooktop) template offers a structured framework for documenting the required safety controls and work steps for your team. An SOP formalises training, sets clear expectations for safe behaviour, and acts as a vital part of your organisation's overall risk management strategy.

For other high-risk heat and cutting tasks, a similar approach is needed, such as developing an SOP for a plasma cutter to manage its unique hazards.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Gas Cooktop) Template

This template is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience. Download the DOCX file to easily add, remove, and edit sections to reflect your specific equipment and workplace rules.

It is designed as a starting point, aligned with Australian WHS principles, to help you create a comprehensive and practical procedure. Integrating individual SOPs into your broader WHS management systems ensures safety documentation is consistent and effective across your organisation.

Please note: This document is a template and must be customised to suit the specific cooktop model, kitchen layout, ventilation, and tasks in your workplace. We are not responsible for the implementation or adequacy of the final customised procedure.

When to use this Safe Operating Procedure

An SOP is not a 'set and forget' document. It should be actively used in several key situations to maintain a safe work environment.

Primarily, it forms the basis of training for any new workers before they are permitted to operate the gas cooktop. It should also be used for refresher training for all relevant staff to prevent complacency and reinforce safe practices.

The procedure is an essential reference tool after any incident or near miss involving the cooktop, helping to inform the investigation and identify necessary changes. Furthermore, SOPs are a key piece of evidence reviewed during regular WHS compliance audits to verify that safe work systems are documented and implemented.

Key Safety Controls for Gas Cooktops

A robust gas cooktop SOP should detail specific safety controls for each phase of use. Before starting, workers must conduct pre-operational checks, such as visually inspecting gas hoses for damage and ensuring the area is clear of flammable materials like cloths or chemicals.

During operation, the procedure should specify the correct lighting sequence, the importance of not leaving active burners unattended, and using appropriate, stable cookware. After use, it must outline the shutdown process, including turning off the gas supply at the source where required.

The SOP must also detail procedures for cleaning away grease and food spills to prevent fire hazards, which may involve cleaning rangehoods by using a step ladder safely to access elevated areas.

Who should use this Gas Cooktop SOP

Responsibility for workplace safety is shared. The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty of care and is responsible for providing safe work procedures like this SOP.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing the procedure, ensuring workers are trained on its contents, and monitoring compliance on a day-to-day basis. Workers have a responsibility to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others by following the documented procedure and reporting any hazards or faults immediately. This SOP is one of many documents that support a safe workplace, and you can explore more templates in our free WHS resources library.