Product Overview

Summary: This Erosion Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for planning, installing, maintaining and monitoring erosion and sediment controls on Australian worksites. It helps organisations protect workers, the environment and nearby communities while meeting WHS and environmental regulatory obligations across construction, civil, mining, landscaping and infrastructure projects.

Uncontrolled erosion on worksites can quickly escalate into a serious WHS and environmental issue, leading to unstable ground conditions, slips and trips, undermined structures, sediment-laden runoff, and damage to nearby waterways and public infrastructure. This Erosion Control Safe Operating Procedure sets out a consistent, step-by-step approach for identifying erosion risks, selecting appropriate control measures, and installing and maintaining them safely in line with Australian conditions and regulatory expectations.

The SOP is designed for use across a wide range of activities, including bulk earthworks, road and rail construction, utility installation, subdivision development, mining operations, landscaping projects and maintenance works on existing assets. It addresses both the physical safety risks to workers operating on disturbed or sloping ground and the environmental compliance risks associated with sediment discharge and unstable work areas. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce rework caused by washouts and site damage, and maintain safer, more stable work zones throughout the life of a project.

Beyond the technical aspects of erosion control, the document clarifies roles and responsibilities, embeds WHS and environmental considerations into day-to-day site management, and provides practical guidance on inspections, record-keeping and contractor coordination. It supports organisations to align with state and territory WHS laws, environmental protection requirements and local council conditions of approval, while giving frontline supervisors a usable, field-ready reference to manage erosion control safely and effectively.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of ground instability, slips, trips and falls on disturbed or sloping work areas.
• Ensure erosion and sediment controls are planned, installed and maintained in line with Australian WHS and environmental requirements.
• Standardise erosion control practices across projects, contractors and crews to improve consistency and accountability.
• Minimise costly rework, washouts, site damage and project delays after heavy rain events.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and auditors through clear procedures, inspections and records.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Civil Engineers
• Project Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Construction Forepersons
• Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors
• Mine Site Environmental Coordinators
• Infrastructure Maintenance Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Ground instability and collapse on cut and fill slopes, batters and embankments
• Slips, trips and falls on eroded, rutted or saturated surfaces
• Undermining of structures, access tracks, scaffolds and temporary works due to scouring
• Vehicle and plant incidents on unstable or eroded haul roads and access ways
• Exposure to fast-flowing stormwater in poorly controlled drainage lines and excavations
• Manual handling injuries during installation of sandbags, geotextiles, matting and other controls
• Environmental contamination and regulatory action from sediment-laden runoff entering waterways or stormwater systems
• Dust generation from dry, exposed soils affecting worker respiratory health and visibility

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidelines
• 5.0 Planning and Design of Erosion and Sediment Controls
• 6.0 Site Assessment and Risk Identification
• 7.0 Selection of Appropriate Control Measures (temporary and permanent)
• 8.0 Safe Installation of Erosion Control Measures
• 9.0 Operation, Inspection and Maintenance Requirements
• 10.0 Working on Slopes, Batters and Unstable Ground – Safe Work Practices
• 11.0 Integration with Traffic Management and Plant Operations
• 12.0 Weather Events, Rainfall Response and Contingency Actions
• 13.0 Environmental Protection and Sediment Containment
• 14.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Communication
• 16.0 Incident, Near Miss and Non-conformance Reporting
• 17.0 Record Keeping, Checklists and Inspection Forms
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Environmental Protection Acts and Regulations (state and territory specific) relating to water pollution and sediment control
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but commonly referenced in legacy systems)
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Australian Rainfall and Runoff (Engineers Australia) – guidance for managing stormwater and runoff on sites
• Local council and state road authority erosion and sediment control guidelines (e.g. NSW Blue Book, IECA Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control guidelines)