Product Overview

Summary: This Safety in Landscaping Operations SOP provides a clear, practical framework for carrying out landscaping work safely in Australian conditions. It helps businesses control the high-risk mix of machinery, manual handling, chemicals, and outdoor environmental hazards, while demonstrating strong compliance with WHS obligations.

Landscaping operations combine plant, powered tools, chemicals, traffic interfaces and often harsh outdoor conditions, creating a unique risk profile that can easily lead to serious incidents if not tightly controlled. This Safety in Landscaping Operations Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step-by-step approach for planning, executing, and supervising landscaping work across residential, commercial, and public spaces. It covers everything from pre-start site inspections and traffic management through to safe use of mowers, brushcutters, chainsaws, and compact earthmoving equipment, as well as chemical handling, noise control, and working in extreme weather.

Designed specifically for Australian workplaces, this SOP helps employers and supervisors translate WHS legislation and guidance into practical on-the-ground controls that crews can follow. It supports consistent training of new and existing staff, reduces reliance on informal “on-the-job” habits, and provides a defensible, documented system of work in the event of an incident or regulator visit. By implementing this procedure, landscaping businesses and councils can significantly reduce injury rates, protect vulnerable workers such as young or seasonal staff, and maintain safe, tidy worksites that reflect a professional standard of care for workers and the public.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, documented safe system of work for all landscaping tasks, from mowing and pruning to minor earthworks.
• Reduce the risk of injuries from plant, manual handling, slips, trips and falls, and hazardous chemicals during landscaping operations.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice for outdoor work and plant use.
• Improve onboarding and refresher training for landscaping crews with clear, step-by-step safety expectations.
• Minimise disruption, reputational damage, and costs associated with incidents, equipment damage, and regulatory enforcement.

Who is this for?

• Landscaping Business Owners
• Landscape Site Supervisors
• Team Leaders and Leading Hands
• Groundskeepers and Gardeners
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Local Council Parks and Gardens Coordinators
• Facility and Estate Managers
• Horticulture Contractors
• Apprentice Landscapers and Trainees

Hazards Addressed

• Contact with moving parts of mowers, brushcutters, hedge trimmers and other powered tools
• Chainsaw use for pruning and removal of branches and small trees
• Struck-by injuries from flying debris, rocks and offcuts
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying and moving soil, plants, pavers and equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven ground, wet grass, mulch and garden edging
• Noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged use of powered equipment
• Vibration-related injuries from handheld power tools and machinery
• Heat stress, dehydration and sun exposure when working outdoors
• Bites and stings from insects, spiders, snakes and other fauna
• Contact with underground and overhead services (electricity, gas, irrigation, communications)
• Traffic interaction risks when working near roads, car parks or pedestrian areas
• Dust and airborne particulate exposure during soil preparation and clean-up
• Ergonomic strain from repetitive tasks such as trimming, raking and planting

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Work Activities
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Start Planning and Site Risk Assessment
• 5.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment for Landscaping Tasks
• 6.0 Safe Use of Powered Hand Tools and Small Plant (mowers, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, blowers)
• 7.0 Chainsaw and Tree-Pruning Safety (where applicable)
• 8.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Controls in Landscaping
• 9.0 Hazardous Chemicals Handling, Mixing, Application and Storage
• 10.0 Working Outdoors: Heat, UV, Weather and Environmental Conditions
• 11.0 Traffic and Public Interface Management for Landscaping Works
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Site Security and Public Access Controls
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures, First Aid and Incident Reporting
• 14.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 15.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Pre-Use Checks for Tools and Equipment
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for temporary power and tools)
• AS/NZS 2210: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets