Product Overview

Summary: This Landscaping and Drainage Assessment Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for safely assessing site landscaping and stormwater drainage conditions. It helps Australian businesses identify and control slip, trip, erosion, and flooding hazards while ensuring compliance with WHS and environmental obligations across construction, civil, and facilities environments.

Poorly planned or maintained landscaping and drainage can create serious safety and operational risks, from slips, trips and falls through to undermined structures, property damage and environmental non-compliance. This Landscaping and Drainage Assessment SOP sets out a structured process for inspecting existing and new works, assessing surface levels and runoff paths, and identifying hazards such as ponding water, erosion, unstable embankments, blocked drains, and unsafe access routes. It supports businesses in meeting their duty of care by embedding risk assessment and control into routine site inspections and project workflows.

Tailored to Australian conditions, this procedure aligns with WHS principles and relevant stormwater and environmental expectations, helping organisations manage the interface between built assets, landscaped areas and natural water flow. It provides clear guidance on pre-assessment planning, on-site inspection techniques, documentation requirements, and corrective action follow-up, ensuring issues are identified before they become incidents, complaints or costly rectification works. Whether you manage a construction site, a civil subdivision, a commercial facility or public open space, this SOP gives your team a consistent, defensible approach to landscaping and drainage safety and performance.

Key Benefits

• Identify and control slip, trip and fall hazards arising from poor drainage, uneven surfaces and unstable landscaping.
• Reduce the risk of flooding, erosion and structural damage that can lead to safety incidents, downtime and costly repairs.
• Standardise how site personnel assess landscaping and drainage, improving consistency, documentation quality and defensibility.
• Support compliance with WHS duties, stormwater management requirements and local council expectations.
• Improve long-term site usability and public amenity by proactively managing water flow, access routes and ground stability.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Civil and Landscaping Contractors
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Local Government Parks and Infrastructure Officers
• Property and Asset Managers
• Site Inspectors and Compliance Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Slip hazards from standing water, moss, algae and saturated surfaces
• Trip hazards from erosion channels, subsided paving, exposed roots and uneven ground
• Falls from heights or into excavations due to unstable embankments or undermined structures
• Vehicle and mobile plant incidents caused by soft ground, bogging or washouts
• Flooding of access ways, work areas and buildings due to inadequate or blocked drainage
• Soil erosion and scouring around paths, retaining walls, culverts and services
• Undermining of footings, retaining walls, paths and kerbs from uncontrolled water flow
• Contamination and pollution risks from uncontrolled runoff carrying sediment or chemicals

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Council Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Assessment Planning and Site Information Review
• 6.0 Required Competencies, Training and Authorisations
• 7.0 Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 8.0 Landscaping and Drainage Risk Assessment Methodology
• 9.0 Site Walk-Through and Visual Inspection Checklist
• 10.0 Assessment of Surface Levels, Gradients and Runoff Paths
• 11.0 Inspection of Drains, Grates, Swales, Pits and Culverts
• 12.0 Evaluation of Slopes, Embankments and Retaining Structures
• 13.0 Identification of Slip, Trip, Fall and Vehicle Movement Hazards
• 14.0 Erosion, Sediment and Environmental Impact Assessment
• 15.0 Documentation, Photographic Evidence and Mapping Requirements
• 16.0 Risk Rating, Prioritisation and Corrective Action Planning
• 17.0 Temporary Controls and Escalation for High-Risk Conditions
• 18.0 Communication of Findings to Workers, Contractors and Stakeholders
• 19.0 Monitoring, Review and Reassessment Frequency
• 20.0 Recordkeeping and WHS Compliance Requirements
• 21.0 Continuous Improvement and Design Feedback to Projects
• 22.0 Appendices – Sample Checklists, Inspection Forms and Risk Matrix

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3666: Air-handling and water systems of buildings – Microbial control (for standing water considerations near buildings)
• AS/NZS 3500: Plumbing and Drainage (stormwater and surface drainage provisions)
• AS 2156: Walking tracks – Classification and signage (relevant where landscaped paths are used by the public)
• Local council and state government stormwater and erosion/sediment control guidelines (jurisdiction-specific)