Site and incident
Provide the address, affected area, when the incident occurred and what has changed since it was first observed.
Make-safe planning checklist
Make-Safe Planning Checklist for Insurers and Strata in NSW
Use this checklist to prepare a clear enquiry after building damage. It helps insurers, loss adjusters, strata managers and property managers assemble the safe-to-obtain information needed to review access, authority, temporary work and handover.
Immediate danger: do not enter an unsafe area. If there is an immediate threat to life or public safety, contact emergency services on 000 and the relevant authority or utility. An SCE enquiry does not guarantee attendance or a particular response time.
Useful first information
Start with four facts you can gather safely
Good initial information helps identify the immediate condition, the authorised decision-makers and the inputs needed before any temporary construction activity is agreed.
Known hazards and access
Identify exclusion zones, affected services, occupants, access restrictions and controls already in place. Do not enter a damaged area to collect information.
Authority and contacts
Identify the insurer, loss adjuster, strata or property representative and the person authorised to discuss access, scope and expenditure.
Safe-to-obtain records
Share available photographs, incident references, reports, drawings and claim details without exposing anyone to additional risk.
Separate the immediate risk from the permanent repair
Make-safe work and permanent rectification answer different questions. Keeping them separate supports clearer scope, records and responsibility.
Immediate make-safe decision
Limited, agreed construction or site-control measures may be used to address a verified immediate condition, reduce further deterioration and establish a controlled handover.
- Access and exclusion controls
- Temporary weather protection
- Protection around damaged elements
- Securing loose non-structural components where appropriate
Permanent repair pathway
Permanent repairs may require separate investigation, monitoring, design, approval, procurement and construction. These later steps are not implied by a temporary make-safe scope.
- Condition assessment and specialist input
- Design or registered-practitioner responsibilities
- Insurance coverage and claim decisions
- Separately authorised repair construction
Make-safe request checklist
The checklist below gives the reviewing team practical information without asking occupants or representatives to inspect unsafe areas.
| Checklist item | What to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Incident summary | Address, date, event type, affected area and any continuing change. | Establishes the known condition and urgency. |
| People and access | Occupancy, vulnerable users, site contacts, keys, inductions and access limits. | Supports safe planning and stakeholder coordination. |
| Known hazards | Damaged areas, utilities, loose materials, water, fire, impact or access concerns already identified. | Helps define exclusions and required inputs. |
| Authority to proceed | Authorised contact, insurer or claim reference and approval pathway. | Clarifies who can instruct and accept the agreed scope. |
| Available evidence | Safe photographs, reports, drawings, previous correspondence and relevant site records. | Reduces ambiguity before attendance or scope discussion. |
| Expected handover | Required notes, photographs, limitations, observations and next-step contacts. | Creates a controlled transition to assessment or repair planning. |
How SCE supports a controlled response
SCE Corp undertakes construction and coordination activities within the agreed scope. The exact response depends on the verified condition, safe access, available information, authority to proceed and the need for input from appointed professionals.
1. Initial information
Confirm the incident, affected area, known hazards and authorised contacts.
2. Access inputs
Review site constraints and the information required from relevant parties.
3. Agreed actions
Define the limited temporary construction measures, exclusions and responsibilities.
4. Records and handover
Document completed actions, observations and limitations within the agreed scope.
5. Next pathway
Identify separately authorised investigation, design, approval or repair steps where required.
Choose the right SCE pathway
This article is a planning resource. The service pages below own the transactional make-safe pathways, while the project record provides relevant completed-work evidence.
Emergency Make-Safe Works
Use this pathway for an urgent building condition requiring review of temporary construction or site-control measures.
Explore emergency make-safe worksInsurance Make-Safe Response
Use the insurance-specific pathway for authorised response coordination, site records and claim-supporting handover.
Explore insurance make-safe responseVillawood Project Evidence
Review a documented SCE vehicle-impact make-safe and reconstruction project without assuming an identical scope for another site.
View the Villawood project recordPractical questions
Make-safe planning FAQs
What is make-safe work?
Make-safe work uses limited, agreed construction or site-control measures to address a verified immediate condition, protect people or property, reduce further deterioration and support a controlled handover.
What information should accompany a make-safe enquiry?
Provide the site address, incident summary, affected areas, known hazards, access arrangements, safe-to-obtain photographs, authorised contacts and any insurer or claim reference.
Should I enter a damaged area to take photographs?
No. Do not enter an unsafe or restricted area to obtain information. Use only evidence that can be collected safely and follow directions from emergency services, authorities, utilities and appointed site representatives.
Does this checklist guarantee attendance or a fixed response time?
No. Attendance and timing depend on current availability, access, site conditions, safety requirements and the agreed scope.
Is make-safe work the same as permanent repair?
No. Make-safe work addresses the immediate verified condition. Permanent repairs may require separate investigation, design, approvals, procurement and construction under another authorised scope.
Who decides insurance coverage, design and certification matters?
Insurers and their authorised representatives retain coverage and claim decisions. Appointed consultants, designers, certifiers and registered practitioners retain their respective professional responsibilities. SCE Corp undertakes construction and coordination activities within its agreed scope.
Prepare the information, then discuss the next safe step
Send the available incident, site, hazard, access and authority information through SCE Corp’s controlled enquiry pathway. The team can review whether the matter fits its make-safe construction and coordination scope and identify further inputs that may be required.