Product Overview

Summary: This Groundskeeping Operations Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent methods for maintaining outdoor areas across Australian workplaces, campuses and facilities. It integrates WHS requirements with day‑to‑day grounds tasks such as mowing, trimming, pruning, waste management and minor landscaping, helping you protect workers, visitors and contractors while presenting a professional site image.

Groundskeeping work often appears low‑risk, yet it routinely involves powered equipment, hazardous chemicals, outdoor environmental exposure and interaction with the public. Without a structured procedure, tasks such as mowing, brush cutting, pruning, green waste handling and irrigation maintenance can lead to serious injuries, property damage and complaints from neighbours or site users. This Groundskeeping Operations SOP provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for planning, undertaking and reviewing grounds work in a way that is safe, efficient and compliant with Australian WHS expectations.

The document guides organisations through pre‑start inspections, hazard identification, equipment selection, PPE requirements, traffic and pedestrian management, noise and dust controls, and safe work methods for common groundskeeping tasks. It also addresses chemical and fuel handling, working around utilities and services, adverse weather, lone work, and contractor coordination. By implementing this SOP, businesses create a consistent standard across all sites, support effective training and supervision, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS law while maintaining clean, attractive and functional outdoor spaces.

Key Benefits

• Ensure groundskeeping activities are carried out in line with WHS legislation and recognised Australian standards.
• Reduce the risk of injuries from powered equipment, manual handling, slips, trips and environmental exposure.
• Standardise how grounds staff and contractors plan, perform and document routine and seasonal maintenance tasks.
• Improve site presentation and amenity through structured scheduling, inspection and quality control processes.
• Support onboarding and refresher training with a clear, practical reference for supervisors and workers.

Who is this for?

• Groundskeepers
• Facility Managers
• Estate and Campus Managers
• Parks and Gardens Supervisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• School Business Managers
• Local Government Operations Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Contract Grounds Maintenance Providers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Contact with moving parts of mowers, brush cutters and other powered equipment
• Flying debris causing eye and impact injuries during mowing and line trimming
• Noise exposure from powered equipment leading to hearing loss
• Manual handling strains and sprains from lifting, carrying and repetitive tasks
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, wet or obstructed ground surfaces
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fuels
• Heat stress, dehydration and UV exposure during outdoor work
• Bites and stings from insects, spiders, snakes and other fauna
• Struck-by and crush injuries from vehicles, ride-on mowers and mobile plant
• Working near roads, car parks and traffic creating vehicle interaction risks
• Contact with underground and overhead services such as irrigation, electricity and communications
• Fire risk from hot equipment, dry vegetation and fuel storage
• Ergonomic risks from poorly adjusted tools and equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Sites
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning Groundskeeping Works and Scheduling
• 5.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Controls
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Pre‑Start Inspections of Tools, Plant and Equipment
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Mowing (Push and Ride‑On)
• 9.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Brush Cutting and Edging
• 10.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Pruning, Hedge Trimming and Minor Tree Work
• 11.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Blowers, Vacuums and Other Powered Tools
• 12.0 Chemical Use in Groundskeeping (Herbicides, Pesticides and Fertilisers)
• 13.0 Fuel Handling, Storage and Refuelling Procedures
• 14.0 Traffic, Pedestrian and Public Interaction Management
• 15.0 Environmental Controls – Noise, Dust, Waste and Run‑off
• 16.0 Working in Adverse Weather and Seasonal Conditions
• 17.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Practices
• 18.0 Wildlife, Insects and Vegetation Hazards
• 19.0 Lone Work, Remote Work and Communication Requirements
• 20.0 Incident, Near Miss and Hazard Reporting
• 21.0 Emergency Procedures and First Aid Considerations
• 22.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 23.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Recordkeeping
• 24.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Chemicals (various, as adopted by jurisdictions)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery (for powered grounds equipment considerations)
• AS/NZS 4501.2: Occupational protective clothing – General requirements
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear – Guide to selection and use
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1269 series: Occupational noise management