Product Overview

Summary: This Slope Safety and Stability Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps to plan, assess and work safely on or near slopes, batters, embankments and excavations. It helps Australian businesses control the risk of ground failure, slips and plant rollovers, while demonstrating due diligence under WHS legislation and relevant geotechnical standards.

Working on or near slopes, embankments, cuttings and stockpiles is a routine part of civil construction, mining, quarrying, roadworks and landfill operations across Australia. However, uncontrolled ground conditions, steep batters and unstable materials can quickly result in serious incidents including ground collapse, plant rollover, engulfment and falls from height. This Slope Safety and Stability Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, defensible approach to planning and carrying out work on sloping ground, ensuring that decisions are based on risk, not guesswork.

The SOP walks your team through pre‑work geotechnical considerations, slope classification, exclusion zones, safe access and egress, traffic management and the correct use of plant and ground support systems. It clarifies who is responsible for assessing slope stability, when specialist geotechnical advice is required, and how to monitor changing conditions such as wet weather, vibration and loading. By implementing this procedure, your business can reduce the likelihood of catastrophic failures, improve coordination between engineers, supervisors and operators, and demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS laws, Codes of Practice and relevant Australian Standards.

This document is particularly valuable for organisations managing multiple sites or contractors, as it standardises expectations for slope design, inspection, permit-to-work requirements and emergency response. It provides practical, site-ready checklists and step-by-step controls that can be integrated into your existing SWMS, risk assessments and training programs, helping you embed slope safety into everyday operations rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of slope failure, plant rollover and engulfment incidents through clear, repeatable controls.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, geotechnical guidance and industry best practice for working on slopes and batters.
• Standardise how supervisors, engineers and operators assess, approve and monitor work on or near sloping ground.
• Improve decision-making by defining triggers for geotechnical review, slope redesign or work stoppage in changing conditions.
• Support onboarding and refresher training with a practical, site-ready procedure that operators and contractors can easily follow.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Civil Engineers
• Project Managers
• Construction Managers
• Quarry Managers
• Mining Supervisors
• Landfill and Waste Facility Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Geotechnical Engineers and Consultants
• Plant Operators (excavators, dozers, dump trucks, rollers)
• Surveyors and Site Engineers

Hazards Addressed

• Slope instability and ground collapse in cuttings, embankments and stockpiles
• Plant rollover or loss of control on steep or unstable slopes
• Engulfment by sliding or collapsing material (soil, rock, waste, ore)
• Falls from height from the crest or face of slopes and batters
• Struck-by incidents from rockfall, debris or failed retaining systems
• Undermining of adjacent structures, services or roadways due to unstable slopes
• Reduced stability due to water ingress, erosion, saturation or poor drainage
• Vibration-induced instability from heavy plant, blasting or traffic
• Poor visibility and access on slopes leading to vehicle and pedestrian interaction

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Slopes, Batters, Embankments, Cuttings, Stockpiles, Stability Classes)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Engineers, Supervisors, Operators, Contractors)
• 4.0 Relevant Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Work Planning and Geotechnical Assessment Requirements
• 6.0 Slope Classification, Design Parameters and Acceptance Criteria
• 7.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Slope Work
• 8.0 Controls for Working on or Near Slopes and Batters
• 9.0 Plant and Vehicle Operation on Slopes (Access, Limits and Spotting)
• 10.0 Stockpile, Waste Dump and Tip-Head Stability Controls
• 11.0 Drainage, Erosion and Water Management for Slope Stability
• 12.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs)
• 13.0 Permit-to-Work and Authorisation for High-Risk Slope Activities
• 14.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Equipment
• 15.0 Communication, Signage and Exclusion Zones
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Collapse, Rollover, Engulfment)
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 18.0 Documentation, Records and Review of Slope Stability Controls
• 19.0 Continuous Improvement and Audit Checklist

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS 3798: Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments
• AS 4678: Earth-retaining structures
• AS 2159: Piling – Design and installation
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines