Product Overview

Summary: This Ground Control Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling ground instability risks across Australian worksites. It supports organisations to systematically manage geotechnical hazards, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate compliance with WHS obligations and industry best practice.

Ground conditions can change rapidly and without warning, creating significant risks of wall failure, rock falls, trench collapse and subsidence that can result in serious injury, fatalities, equipment damage and major production delays. This Ground Control Management Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, repeatable approach for managing these risks from planning and design through to day‑to‑day operations, inspections and review. It is designed for Australian mining, quarrying, civil construction and infrastructure environments where excavation, earthworks or slope management are routine activities.

The procedure translates geotechnical and WHS requirements into clear, site‑ready instructions that supervisors and crews can actually follow. It covers ground hazard identification, geotechnical assessment inputs, design controls, monitoring and trigger action response plans (TARPs), exclusion zones, scaling and support installation, change management and incident response. By implementing this SOP, businesses can strengthen their due diligence, improve communication between engineers and operations, and create a defensible record of how ground stability risks are being controlled in line with Australian legislation and recognised standards.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of ground falls, wall failures and trench collapses through a structured risk management approach.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS legislation, mining and construction guidance, and geotechnical best practice.
• Standardise how supervisors, operators and contractors identify, report and control ground hazards across all sites.
• Improve decision‑making with clear monitoring requirements, trigger levels and escalation pathways.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers through documented, auditable ground control processes.

Who is this for?

• Mine Managers
• Quarry Managers
• Civil Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors and Leading Hands
• Geotechnical Engineers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Open Cut and Underground Operations Managers
• Drill and Blast Supervisors
• Maintenance Superintendents
• Contractor Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Open pit and quarry wall failures
• Underground rock falls and roof/rib collapses
• Trench and excavation collapses
• Slope instability and landslides on cut and fill batters
• Ground heave, subsidence and loss of foundation support
• Falling rocks and debris striking workers, plant or public areas
• Vehicle rollovers or loss of control due to unstable ground or edge failure
• Secondary hazards arising from ground failure, such as release of stored energy, engulfment and entrapment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (including ground control terminology)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning, Design Inputs and Geotechnical Assessment Interface
• 5.0 Ground Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Process
• 6.0 Ground Control Measures (design, support, scaling and protection)
• 7.0 Monitoring, Inspections and Survey Requirements
• 8.0 Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs) and Escalation Criteria
• 9.0 Safe Work Practices for Working Near Faces, Edges and Excavations
• 10.0 Control of Access, Barricading and Exclusion Zones
• 11.0 Change Management for Ground Conditions and Design Variations
• 12.0 Incident, Near Miss and Deterioration Reporting
• 13.0 Emergency Response for Ground Failure Events
• 14.0 Training, Communication and Consultation Arrangements
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 References, Applicable Legislation and Supporting Documents

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS 1726: Geotechnical site investigations
• AS 3798: Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• Relevant state and territory mining and quarrying regulations and ground control guidelines (e.g. NSW, QLD, WA resources regulators)