Product Overview

Summary: This Aquatic Plant Landscaping Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, WHS-focused framework for planning, installing and maintaining aquatic vegetation in ponds, lakes, wetlands and water features. It balances horticultural best practice with practical risk controls for working in and around water, ensuring safe, consistent and environmentally responsible outcomes across Australian sites.

Aquatic plant landscaping presents a unique combination of horticultural, environmental and WHS risks. Workers are often required to operate on unstable banks, in shallow water, from small watercraft, or near pumps and irrigation infrastructure, while handling plants, soils, fertilisers and sometimes herbicides. This Aquatic Plant Landscaping Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step-by-step method for safely planning and executing aquatic planting, revegetation and maintenance works in Australian conditions, from pre-start assessment through to demobilisation and clean-up.

The procedure helps organisations demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws by embedding hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures directly into daily operations. It addresses common problem areas such as working near deep or flowing water, managing slips and falls on wet or algae-covered surfaces, preventing drowning risks, controlling exposure to biological hazards (including leptospirosis and blue‑green algae), and protecting native ecosystems from contamination or plant transfer. By standardising how aquatic landscaping tasks are performed, businesses can improve safety performance, reduce rework and plant loss, and deliver higher quality, environmentally compliant outcomes for councils, developers and private clients.

Whether you are constructing new water features, restoring natural wetlands, or maintaining existing ponds and bio‑retention basins, this SOP provides a practical, field-ready guide. It clarifies roles and responsibilities, specifies mandatory PPE and equipment checks, outlines safe methods for planting, trimming and removal activities, and integrates emergency response for water-related incidents. The result is a robust, defensible procedure that supports both worker safety and long-term aquatic landscape health.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe work practices when operating in and around ponds, lakes, wetlands and constructed water features.
• Reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls and drowning incidents for landscaping crews and contractors.
• Standardise aquatic planting and maintenance methods to improve plant survival rates and project quality.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and environmental management obligations.
• Streamline induction and training for new staff with a clear, step-by-step procedure tailored to aquatic works.

Who is this for?

• Landscape Supervisors
• Aquatic Landscaping Technicians
• Parks and Gardens Team Leaders
• Local Government Environment and Open Space Managers
• WHS Coordinators in Landscaping and Horticulture
• Environmental Consultants and Rehabilitation Contractors
• Golf Course and Resort Grounds Managers
• Waterway and Wetland Maintenance Crews

Hazards Addressed

• Drowning and immersion when working in or near deep or flowing water
• Slips, trips and falls on wet, muddy, uneven or algae-covered surfaces and embankments
• Capsizing or falling from small boats, barges or floating work platforms
• Exposure to waterborne pathogens (e.g. leptospirosis), parasites and harmful algal blooms (including blue‑green algae)
• Bites and stings from insects, spiders and aquatic or semi‑aquatic animals (e.g. snakes in riparian zones)
• Heat stress, dehydration and sun exposure during outdoor aquatic works
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of plants, rocks, matting, coir logs and wet soil
• Lacerations and puncture wounds from sharp tools, reeds, stakes and submerged debris
• Chemical exposure from fertilisers, soil conditioners and herbicides used in or near water
• Electrical hazards from pumps, aerators and powered equipment operating close to water

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Project Types (Ponds, Wetlands, Lakes, Water Features)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Start Planning, Site Assessment and Permits
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Works
• 6.0 Required PPE, Tools, Plant and Equipment
• 7.0 Access, Traffic Management and Working Near Water Controls
• 8.0 Safe Use of Boats, Floating Platforms and Edge Protection
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Site Preparation and Bank Stabilisation
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Aquatic Plant Selection, Handling and Transport
• 11.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Planting in Shallow Water, Deep Water and Margins
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Maintenance, Pruning, Weed Control and Plant Replacement
• 13.0 Manual Handling Techniques for Wet Materials and Heavy Loads
• 14.0 Managing Biological Hazards, Water Quality and Harmful Algal Blooms
• 15.0 Use of Fertilisers, Soil Conditioners and Herbicides Near Water
• 16.0 Environmental Protection and Sediment/Erosion Controls
• 17.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Including Water Rescue and First Aid)
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 20.0 Inspection, Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 2156.2: Walking tracks – Infrastructure design (for reference to safe access near water bodies)
• Local council and state environmental and waterway management guidelines (e.g. NSW Waterways, Victorian EPA guidelines for constructed wetlands)