Product Overview

Summary: This Soil and Water Pollution Control Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps to prevent contamination of land and waterways from workplace activities. It helps Australian businesses manage environmental risks, protect workers and the community, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation.

Soil and water pollution incidents can quickly escalate into serious WHS, environmental and reputational issues, particularly where fuels, chemicals, sediment or waste materials are present. This Soil and Water Pollution Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to identifying pollution risks, implementing practical controls, and responding effectively to spills and contamination events on Australian worksites. It supports organisations to protect workers, the public and the environment while maintaining compliance with WHS and environmental obligations.

The procedure is designed for use across a wide range of industries, including construction, civil works, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and facilities management. It translates regulatory requirements and best practice into clear actions: from pre‑start environmental planning and erosion and sediment controls, through to chemical storage, refuelling practices, stormwater protection and incident response. By standardising how your teams manage soil and water pollution risks, this SOP reduces the likelihood of costly clean‑ups, regulatory enforcement, project delays and long‑term environmental harm.

Written specifically for the Australian context, the SOP aligns with WHS legislation and relevant environmental regulations and guidelines. It provides a defensible framework that can be incorporated into your Environmental Management System (EMS) or WHS Management System, supports contractor management, and forms a strong foundation for training, toolbox talks and site inductions.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of soil and water contamination from day‑to‑day operations, maintenance activities and construction works.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS and environmental legislation, guidelines and local council requirements.
• Standardise pollution control practices across sites, contractors and shifts for consistent, defensible outcomes.
• Minimise the likelihood of regulatory penalties, remediation costs, project delays and reputational damage.
• Improve environmental awareness and accountability among workers, supervisors and contractors.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Project Managers
• Environmental Advisors
• WHS Managers
• Civil and Construction Supervisors
• Maintenance Managers
• Operations Managers
• HSE Coordinators
• Facility Managers
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Agricultural and Horticultural Managers
• Waste Management Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Contamination of soil with fuels, oils, chemicals and hazardous substances
• Pollution of surface water (creeks, rivers, lakes, stormwater systems) from spills and run‑off
• Groundwater contamination from seepage of pollutants and improper storage
• Sediment run‑off from disturbed ground, stockpiles and excavation areas
• Cross‑contamination from poorly managed wash‑down water and equipment cleaning
• Exposure of workers and the public to contaminated soil, mud or water
• Fire and explosion risks associated with uncontrolled flammable liquid spills
• Environmental harm to flora, fauna and sensitive ecosystems
• Odour and vapour emissions from contaminated land or water bodies

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Regulatory and Standards References
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 5.0 Pollution Risk Identification and Assessment
• 6.0 Planning and Environmental Controls (Soil and Water)
• 7.0 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures
• 8.0 Chemical, Fuel and Oil Storage and Handling
• 9.0 Refuelling, Maintenance and Wash‑down Practices
• 10.0 Stormwater, Drainage and Sensitive Receptor Protection
• 11.0 Spill Prevention and Housekeeping Requirements
• 12.0 Spill Response and Incident Management Procedure
• 13.0 Contaminated Soil and Water Management and Disposal
• 14.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Environmental Reporting
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Communication
• 16.0 Contractor and Supplier Management Requirements
• 17.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 19.0 Appendices – Checklists, Forms, Risk Assessment Templates and Site Maps

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• Relevant state and territory environmental protection legislation (e.g. Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), Environment Protection Act 2017 (VIC), Environmental Protection Act 1994 (QLD))
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• AS/NZS 5667: Water quality – Sampling
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Local council and water authority stormwater and trade waste guidelines (jurisdiction‑specific)