Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent land surveying techniques for Australian worksites, from greenfield construction projects to infrastructure upgrades and remote locations. It integrates technical surveying workflows with practical WHS controls, helping you manage field risks such as traffic, terrain, weather and equipment use while maintaining accurate survey data.

Land surveying often places workers at the interface of live construction, public traffic, unstable ground and remote or isolated environments. This SOP provides a structured, field-ready framework for carrying out surveying tasks safely and efficiently, from pre-start planning and site access through to data capture, verification and demobilisation. It details how to integrate WHS risk management into everyday surveying activities such as traversing, level runs, GPS/GNSS observations, drone-assisted mapping and working near plant or roadways.

Developed specifically for Australian conditions, the procedure aligns with WHS legislation and relevant standards while recognising the realities of tight project timeframes and multi-contractor sites. It helps organisations control common surveying hazards—vehicle interactions, slips and trips on uneven terrain, sun and heat exposure, working near excavations and utilities, and the use of tripods, poles, lasers and GNSS equipment. By adopting this SOP, businesses can standardise surveying practices across teams, improve data reliability, demonstrate due diligence to clients and regulators, and reduce the likelihood of incidents that cause injuries, delays and costly rework.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe land surveying practices across all projects and locations.
• Reduce the risk of injuries arising from traffic, plant interaction, terrain and environmental exposure.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant surveying standards.
• Improve the quality and reliability of survey data through structured field procedures and checks.
• Streamline onboarding and competency assessment for new and subcontracted survey personnel.

Who is this for?

• Land Surveyors
• Engineering Surveyors
• Survey Party Leaders
• Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Civil Engineers
• Infrastructure Asset Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Survey Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle and mobile plant interactions when surveying near roads, car parks and construction zones
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, sloping, wet or vegetated terrain
• Exposure to heat, UV radiation, cold, wind and sudden weather changes
• Working alone or in remote and isolated locations without adequate communication
• Contact with underground and overhead services (electricity, gas, communications, water)
• Working near excavations, trenches, embankments and unstable ground
• Manual handling of tripods, poles, batteries and survey equipment leading to musculoskeletal strain
• Eye exposure to laser beams from total stations and laser levels
• Noise exposure from adjacent construction, traffic or plant
• Wildlife, insects and vegetation hazards in bushland or rural environments
• Fatigue from long hours, early starts and extended travel to and from site

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Surveyors, Supervisors, WHS Personnel)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Site Access, Induction and Communication Requirements
• 7.0 Required Competencies, Training and Licensing
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Survey Equipment Requirements
• 9.0 Traffic and Mobile Plant Management for Survey Activities
• 10.0 Safe Work Practices for Common Surveying Techniques (Total Station, GNSS, Leveling, Detail Survey)
• 11.0 Working on Uneven, Remote or Environmentally Sensitive Terrain
• 12.0 Managing Underground and Overhead Service Risks
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Practices for Survey Equipment
• 14.0 Environmental and Weather Considerations (Heat, UV, Storms, Poor Visibility)
• 15.0 Working Alone, Remote and Isolated Work Procedures
• 16.0 Data Capture, Verification and Documentation Protocols
• 17.0 Equipment Inspection, Calibration and Maintenance
• 18.0 Incident, Hazard and Near-Miss Reporting Requirements
• 19.0 Emergency Response and Rescue Procedures for Survey Teams
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in relevant Australian jurisdictions)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk Management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working near edges or at height)
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS 2211 series: Safety of laser products (for laser-based surveying instruments)
• Austroads Guides and local road authority traffic management requirements for works on or near roads