Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent methods for planning and carrying out slope stabilisation works on Australian sites. It helps organisations control geotechnical risks, protect workers and the public from slope failures, and ensure compliance with WHS and environmental obligations during earthworks and civil construction activities.

Slope failures, landslides and rock falls present significant safety, operational and reputational risks for civil, mining, rail and road projects across Australia. Uncontrolled excavation, heavy rainfall events, vegetation removal and vibration from plant can all destabilise cuttings, embankments and batters, placing workers, plant, public roads and nearby assets at risk. This Slope Stabilisation Techniques Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for identifying unstable slopes, selecting appropriate stabilisation methods, and executing works in a controlled and compliant manner.

The SOP walks your team through the entire lifecycle of slope stabilisation, from initial geotechnical assessment and design review through to installing drainage, retaining structures, soil nails, mesh, shotcrete, erosion control systems and revegetation. It emphasises risk-based planning, safe access and egress, exclusion zones, traffic management, and coordination with other trades operating above or below the slope. By standardising how slope works are planned, supervised and documented, this procedure helps you meet your WHS duties, reduce the likelihood of catastrophic slope failures, and minimise rework and environmental harm caused by erosion and sediment runoff.

Developed for Australian conditions, the SOP aligns with key WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards, making it suitable for use by principal contractors, local councils, utilities and subcontractors. It is designed to integrate into your existing Safety Management System and provide a defensible, auditable process when dealing with regulators, clients and insurers after significant weather events or incidents.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of slope collapses, rock falls and landslides that can cause serious injury, fatalities or major asset damage.
• Ensure slope stabilisation activities are planned and executed in line with Australian WHS legislation and relevant geotechnical standards.
• Standardise decision-making around the selection and installation of stabilisation techniques such as soil nails, retaining structures, mesh, shotcrete and erosion controls.
• Improve coordination between engineers, site supervisors, plant operators and subcontractors working on or near unstable slopes.
• Minimise environmental impacts from erosion, sediment runoff and vegetation removal through structured controls and monitoring.

Who is this for?

• Civil Engineers
• Geotechnical Engineers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Earthmoving Contractors
• Road Maintenance Supervisors
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers
• Rail Corridor Managers
• Mining and Quarry Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Slope collapse and landslides during or after excavation
• Rock falls and debris striking workers, plant or the public
• Ground instability due to saturation, poor drainage or adverse geology
• Falls from height while working on steep batters or embankments
• Plant rollovers on uneven or unstable ground
• Struck-by incidents from operating earthmoving equipment on or near slopes
• Undermining of adjacent structures, services or roadways
• Exposure to severe weather conditions that increase slope instability
• Manual handling injuries from installing mesh, anchors and erosion control products
• Environmental harm from uncontrolled erosion and sediment-laden runoff

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Works Planning and Geotechnical Assessment
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Slope Works
• 7.0 Selection of Slope Stabilisation Techniques
• 8.0 Site Preparation, Access and Exclusion Zones
• 9.0 Safe Use of Plant and Equipment on Slopes
• 10.0 Installation Procedures for Retaining Structures and Soil Nails
• 11.0 Installation Procedures for Mesh, Shotcrete and Rockfall Protection
• 12.0 Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Measures
• 13.0 Working at Heights and Fall Protection on Slopes
• 14.0 Environmental Management and Vegetation Controls
• 15.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Maintenance of Stabilised Slopes
• 16.0 Emergency Response to Slope Movement or Failure
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talks
• 18.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS 4678: Earth-retaining structures
• AS 3798: Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments
• AS/NZS 1170.0–1170.2: Structural design actions (for loads acting on retaining and stabilisation structures)
• AS 2159: Piling – Design and installation (where relevant to ground anchors and piles)
• Local environmental and erosion and sediment control guidelines (e.g. IECA Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control)