Product Overview

Summary: This Roadside Clean-Up Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely planning and conducting litter and debris removal along roads, highways, and verges. It helps organisations protect workers and volunteers from traffic-related hazards, environmental risks, and manual handling injuries while ensuring compliance with Australian WHS and road authority requirements.

Roadside clean-up work exposes people to a unique combination of traffic, environmental and manual handling risks that are often underestimated. Whether your teams are collecting litter, removing debris after storms, or conducting scheduled verge clean-ups, there is a critical need for a structured, safety-first approach that aligns with Australian WHS legislation and local road authority requirements. This Roadside Clean-Up Safe Operating Procedure provides that structure, giving you a clear, step-by-step framework to plan, brief, deliver and review roadside clean-up activities in a consistent, defensible way.

The SOP addresses the full lifecycle of roadside clean-up tasks, from pre-start risk assessments, traffic control planning and vehicle positioning through to safe work methods for collection, segregation and disposal of waste. It incorporates controls for live traffic environments, working near heavy vehicles and plant, exposure to sharps and biological waste, heat and UV, and slips, trips and falls on uneven ground. By implementing this procedure, organisations can standardise how roadside work is conducted across employees, contractors and volunteers, reduce incident rates, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and the community.

Designed specifically for the Australian context, this SOP can be integrated into existing WHS management systems, contractor packs and induction programs. It supports councils, civil contractors, utilities and community groups to efficiently coordinate clean-up activities while protecting people, minimising disruption to traffic, and safeguarding organisational reputation.

Key Benefits

• Ensure roadside clean-up activities are conducted in accordance with Australian WHS laws and road authority requirements.
• Reduce the risk of vehicle strikes, near misses and other traffic-related incidents for workers and volunteers.
• Standardise roadside clean-up methods across teams, contractors and community groups to improve consistency and safety performance.
• Streamline planning, pre-start briefings and documentation, saving supervisor time and reducing administrative burden.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and the public through a documented, risk-based approach to roadside operations.

Who is this for?

• Road Maintenance Supervisors
• Civil Works Managers
• Local Council Operations Managers
• WHS Advisors and Coordinators
• Traffic Management Supervisors
• Environmental Services Team Leaders
• Volunteer Program Coordinators
• Contractor Managers (Roadside Services)
• Community Clean-Up Organisers
• Fleet and Field Services Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle impact and struck-by incidents from passing traffic
• Working near moving plant, trucks and trailers
• Poor visibility and inadequate traffic control in high-speed or low-light conditions
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying and dragging bags or debris
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, soft or sloping ground and in roadside drains
• Exposure to sharps, broken glass and contaminated waste
• Contact with hazardous or unknown substances (chemicals, asbestos-containing materials, fuel spills)
• Heat stress, dehydration and UV exposure during outdoor work
• Bites and stings from insects, snakes and other wildlife
• Noise exposure from traffic and mechanical equipment
• Psychosocial risks associated with working in isolated or remote roadside locations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Road Authority Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Planning and Risk Assessment for Roadside Clean-Up
• 6.0 Traffic Management and Vehicle Positioning Requirements
• 7.0 Required PPE, Clothing and Safety Equipment
• 8.0 Pre-Start Checks, Briefings and Communication Protocols
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Roadside Clean-Up Procedure
• 10.0 Manual Handling Techniques and Use of Tools/Equipment
• 11.0 Handling of Sharps, Hazardous and Contaminated Waste
• 12.0 Environmental Protection and Waste Segregation
• 13.0 Working in Adverse Weather, Low-Light and Remote Conditions
• 14.0 Emergency Response, Incident Management and First Aid
• 15.0 Post-Task Review, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 17.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent State/Territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent State/Territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) and relevant State/Territory traffic control manuals
• AS/NZS 4602.1: High visibility safety garments – Garments for high risk applications
• AS/NZS 1906.4: Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes – High-visibility materials for safety garments
• AS/NZS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing
• Local council and State/Territory road authority conditions for works on or near roads