Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, repeatable process for conducting pre-clearance surveys and securing required approvals before work begins on site. It helps Australian businesses verify that WHS, environmental and planning obligations are met upfront, reducing the risk of costly delays, non-compliance, and safety incidents.

Before any physical work starts, Australian PCBU’s are required to ensure that the work area is safe, hazards are identified and controlled, and statutory approvals are in place. The Pre-Clearance Surveys and Approvals Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, end‑to‑end process for assessing sites, documenting risks and constraints, and confirming that all required permits, consents and internal sign‑offs have been obtained. It is designed for organisations that operate in construction, civil works, utilities, facilities management and infrastructure, where working without proper pre‑clearance can expose workers and the business to significant WHS, environmental and legal risks.

This SOP helps you move away from ad‑hoc checks and verbal assurances by embedding a formal, documented pre‑start clearance process. It covers how and when to commission surveys (such as service location, asbestos, hazardous materials, environmental and structural assessments), how to review survey findings, and how to link those findings to risk controls, SWMS and work permits. It also clarifies approval pathways – including client approvals, internal WHS sign‑off, environmental approvals and local authority requirements – so that projects can commence with confidence, audit-ready records and a clear demonstration of due diligence under Australian WHS law.

Key Benefits

• Ensure all statutory and client approvals are obtained and documented before work commences.
• Reduce the likelihood of safety incidents by identifying underground services, hazardous materials and site constraints in advance.
• Streamline project mobilisation with a consistent, repeatable pre‑clearance process across all sites.
• Demonstrate due diligence and WHS compliance through clear records of surveys, risk assessments and approvals.
• Minimise project delays, rework and stop‑work orders caused by missing permits or incomplete pre‑start checks.

Who is this for?

• Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Construction Managers
• Civil Engineers
• Environmental Advisors
• Compliance and Risk Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Operations Managers
• HSE Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Striking underground services such as gas, electricity, water and telecommunications
• Exposure to asbestos and other hazardous building materials
• Working near contaminated land or environmentally sensitive areas
• Working at heights or near edges without prior structural or engineering assessment
• Uncontrolled interaction with mobile plant, traffic and the public due to inadequate site planning
• Commencing work in confined spaces without prior identification and risk assessment
• Noise, dust and vibration impacts on neighbouring properties or public areas
• Unidentified structural weaknesses in existing buildings or assets

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Pre-Clearance Planning and Triggers
• 5.0 Types of Required Surveys (Services, Asbestos, Structural, Environmental, etc.)
• 6.0 Survey Commissioning, Competency and Documentation Requirements
• 7.0 Review and Interpretation of Survey Findings
• 8.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures Linked to Survey Outcomes
• 9.0 Approvals and Permits (Internal and External)
• 10.0 Integration with SWMS, JSA and Project Planning
• 11.0 Site Pre-Start Verification and Clearance to Proceed
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Version Control and Audit Trail
• 13.0 Communication and Consultation with Workers and Stakeholders
• 14.0 Non-Conformances, Escalation and Work Suspension Criteria
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Awareness Requirements
• 16.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and SOP Revision History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Excavation Work: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Confined Spaces: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Safely Remove Asbestos: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• Dial Before You Dig / Before You Dig Australia service requirements and utility owner guidelines