Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides clear, step-by-step guidance for safely clearing vegetation, debris and obstacles across a range of terrains, from steep slopes and gullies to bushland, rural properties and construction sites. It helps Australian businesses control terrain-specific hazards, protect workers, and maintain compliance with WHS obligations when using plant, hand tools and machinery in challenging environments.

Clearing work across different terrains introduces a unique mix of hazards that standard, flat-ground procedures simply do not address. Slopes, uneven ground, rocky outcrops, waterways, dense scrub and roadside corridors all change how equipment behaves, how workers move, and how quickly conditions can deteriorate. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, terrain‑specific approach to planning and conducting clearing activities, covering pre-start assessment, selection of appropriate plant and tools, safe work methods for each terrain type, and clear stop-work triggers.

Designed for Australian conditions, the SOP helps organisations manage the WHS risks associated with vegetation clearing, access track creation, firebreak establishment, and site preparation in varied environments. It standardises expectations for supervisors and crews, embeds risk controls aligned with WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice, and supports consistent training and induction. By implementing this SOP, businesses can significantly reduce incidents such as slips and falls on slopes, plant rollovers, chainsaw injuries, struck‑by events, and environmental damage, while demonstrating due diligence to regulators, clients and principal contractors.

Key Benefits

• Reduce incidents related to unstable and uneven ground, including slips, trips, falls and plant rollovers.
• Ensure consistent, defensible clearing practices that align with Australian WHS legislation and industry standards.
• Improve planning and supervision of clearing works through structured terrain-specific risk assessments.
• Standardise training for field crews, contractors and new starters using clear, step-by-step procedures.
• Minimise environmental harm and community complaints by defining controlled clearing limits and methods.

Who is this for?

• Civil Construction Supervisors
• Vegetation Management Supervisors
• Landscaping Team Leaders
• Utilities Field Crew Leaders
• Rail and Road Maintenance Supervisors
• Local Council Works Coordinators
• Bushfire Mitigation and Fuel Reduction Teams
• Rural and Land Management Officers
• WHS Advisors and Safety Coordinators
• Environmental and Site Management Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, wet, rocky or sloped terrain
• Plant rollovers and loss of control of machinery on inclines or unstable ground
• Struck-by injuries from falling trees, limbs, rocks or debris during clearing
• Contact with moving parts of chainsaws, brushcutters, mulchers and other powered equipment
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, dragging or carrying vegetation and debris over rough terrain
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions, heat stress and dehydration in remote or open areas
• Bites and stings from snakes, spiders, insects and other fauna disturbed during clearing
• Noise and vibration exposure from prolonged use of powered tools and machinery
• Dust, pollen and plant material exposure causing respiratory or allergic reactions
• Traffic-related risks when clearing along roadsides, easements and rail corridors

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terrain Classifications (flat, sloped, rocky, water-adjacent, roadside, bushland)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Terrain Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Selection of Plant, Tools and Equipment by Terrain Type
• 7.0 Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 8.0 Safe Work Methods for Flat and Gently Sloping Terrain
• 9.0 Safe Work Methods for Steep Slopes, Embankments and Gullies
• 10.0 Safe Work Methods for Rocky, Uneven and Loose Ground
• 11.0 Safe Work Methods for Bushland, Forested and Scrub Areas
• 12.0 Safe Work Methods Near Roads, Rail Corridors and Traffic
• 13.0 Safe Work Methods Near Waterways, Creeks and Wet Areas
• 14.0 Manual Handling and Load Management for Vegetation and Debris
• 15.0 Environmental Protection, Erosion Control and Vegetation Limits
• 16.0 Communication, Spotters and Traffic Management (where required)
• 17.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (injury, plant rollover, wildlife encounter)
• 18.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Pre-Use Checks of Equipment
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Verification of Competency
• 20.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for temporary power and tools, where relevant)
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves