Product Overview

Summary: This Synthetic Turf Installation Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe and consistent method for preparing, installing and finishing artificial grass on Australian worksites. It helps your teams control key WHS risks, deliver high‑quality installations, and demonstrate compliance with relevant legislation and standards from site set‑up through to handover.

Synthetic turf installation combines civil works, manual handling, cutting, adhesive use and powered equipment operation, all of which carry WHS risks if not properly controlled. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach that integrates safety into each phase of the job – from site assessment and ground preparation, through base compaction and turf laying, to trimming, infill placement and final clean‑up. It is designed specifically for Australian conditions, taking into account local climate, soil types, council requirements and WHS obligations.

By implementing this SOP, landscaping and construction businesses can minimise injuries from hazardous manual tasks, cutting tools, vibrating plate compactors and hot surfaces, while also improving installation quality and consistency. The document supports your duty of care under Australian WHS legislation by formalising risk controls, PPE requirements, equipment checks and housekeeping standards. It also provides a defensible framework for training staff and contractors, reducing rework, and ensuring each project is completed safely, efficiently and to a professional finish your clients can rely on.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, professional approach to synthetic turf installation across all crews and projects.
• Reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries from lifting, carrying, kneeling and repetitive tasks.
• Minimise incidents involving knives, cutting tools, compaction equipment and adhesives.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice during audits or tenders.
• Streamline induction and on‑the‑job training for new installers and subcontractors.

Who is this for?

• Landscaping Supervisors
• Synthetic Turf Installers
• Civil Construction Supervisors
• Project Managers
• WHS Advisors and Safety Officers
• Small Business Owners in Landscaping and Turf
• Apprentice Landscapers and Labourers
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Hazardous manual handling when lifting and positioning turf rolls, base materials and infill
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven ground, excavations, loose aggregate and off‑cuts
• Cuts and lacerations from utility knives, shears and trimming tools
• Exposure to dust during excavation, base preparation and cutting of materials
• Noise and vibration from plate compactors and other powered equipment
• Heat stress and UV exposure when working outdoors on synthetic surfaces in hot weather
• Contact with adhesives, sealants and other chemicals used in jointing and fixing
• Struck‑by and crush injuries from vehicles, trailers and machinery movement on site
• Eye injuries from flying particles during cutting, trimming and compaction
• Ergonomic strain from sustained kneeling, bending and awkward postures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Legislation and Definitions
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Required Competencies and Training
• 5.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Site Assessment
• 8.0 Service Location and Underground Asset Checks
• 9.0 Site Set‑Up, Traffic Management and Public Protection
• 10.0 Ground Preparation and Excavation Procedure
• 11.0 Base Installation, Levelling and Compaction
• 12.0 Turf Handling, Positioning and Layout
• 13.0 Cutting, Trimming and Jointing Procedure
• 14.0 Adhesive and Chemical Handling Controls
• 15.0 Infill Application and Final Brushing
• 16.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 17.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Control Measures
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and First Aid Considerations
• 19.0 Inspection, Quality Checks and Client Handover
• 20.0 Training, Induction and Competency Records
• 21.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
• AS/NZS 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves (for handling turf, tools and materials)
• 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