Product Overview

Summary: This Ride-On Mower Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for operating, maintaining and storing ride-on mowers safely in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations control common mowing hazards such as rollovers, thrown objects and contact with moving parts, while demonstrating due diligence under WHS legislation.

Ride-on mowers are essential equipment across councils, schools, sports facilities, farms and commercial properties, but they present significant risks if not used correctly. Slopes, uneven ground, public access areas and high pedestrian traffic can quickly turn routine mowing into a serious incident involving rollovers, struck-by injuries, flying debris or contact with rotating blades. This Ride-On Mower Safety SOP provides a structured, step-by-step approach that guides workers from pre-start checks and site assessment through to safe operation, shutdown, cleaning and storage.

Developed for the Australian WHS environment, the procedure supports PCBUs to meet their duty of care by embedding risk management into everyday mowing tasks. It standardises how operators assess terrain, control public access, select and use PPE, and respond to mechanical faults or emergencies. By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce injury rates, protect bystanders, extend equipment life through correct use, and provide clear evidence of training and safe systems of work during audits, inspections or incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of rollovers, struck-by incidents and contact with moving parts during mowing operations.
• Ensure consistent pre-start inspections and maintenance practices that extend mower life and reduce breakdowns.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and local council requirements for public area maintenance.
• Standardise training for new and existing operators with clear, step-by-step instructions and safety checkpoints.
• Improve control of public and pedestrian interaction with mowing activities, reducing liability and complaints.

Who is this for?

• Grounds Maintenance Workers
• Landscape Gardeners
• Parks and Gardens Staff
• School Groundskeepers
• Local Council Maintenance Teams
• Facility and Estate Managers
• WHS Advisors and Safety Officers
• Farm and Station Managers
• Sports Turf Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Machine rollovers on slopes, embankments and uneven ground
• Collision with fixed objects, vehicles, structures or pedestrians
• Contact with rotating blades, belts and other moving parts
• Ejection of rocks, sticks and debris causing impact injuries or property damage
• Noise exposure leading to hearing loss
• Exposure to vibration contributing to musculoskeletal disorders
• Manual handling injuries when attaching implements or clearing blockages
• Burns from hot engine components or exhaust systems
• Exposure to fuel, oils and exhaust emissions
• Poor visibility, dust and weather conditions affecting safe operation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Competency, Training and Authorisation Requirements
• 5.0 Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 6.0 Pre-Start Inspection and Maintenance Checks
• 7.0 Site Assessment and Hazard Identification (Slopes, Terrain and Public Access)
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Starting, Driving and Mowing
• 9.0 Working on Slopes, Near Edges and Around Obstacles
• 10.0 Managing Public Interaction and Exclusion Zones
• 11.0 Refuelling, Battery Charging and Handling of Fuels and Oils
• 12.0 Shutdown, Cleaning and Storage Procedures
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 14.0 Environmental Considerations (Noise, Dust, Debris Management)
• 15.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Record Keeping
• 16.0 Review, Consultation 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 Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• AS 4024.1: Safety of machinery – Series
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for battery charging areas where applicable)
• AS/NZS 4501.2: Occupational protective clothing – General requirements
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Occupational protective footwear – General requirements
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors