This Ride-On & Push Mower Operation SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) covers operating ride-on, zero-turn and push or walk-behind mowers. It sets out pre-start checks of blades, guards, interlocks and ROPS, walking the area for hazards, mowing safely on slopes, rollover risk, thrown objects, reverse mowing, refuelling, and shutting down properly before clearing a blockage or touching the deck. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Lawn mowing and gardening businesses
Councils and parks maintenance teams
Grounds and facility maintenance crews
Schools, sporting clubs and golf courses
Rural properties and caravan parks
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Ride-on and zero-turn mower rollover on slopes, embankments and drop-offs
Blade contact when clearing blockages or adjusting cutting height
Stones, sticks and debris thrown from the deck or chute
Entanglement in blades, belts and moving parts
Being struck or run over, especially in reverse or on slopes
Burns from hot engines, mufflers and exhausts
Fire risk when refuelling
Noise and vibration from prolonged mowing
Strain from lifting or loading a push mower
Slips and falls on wet grass, slopes or uneven ground
What's included
8 pre-operational checks, from the blade and guards to dead-man controls, seat interlocks, ROPS, tyres and an area walk
A 15-step operating procedure covering starting, bystanders, slopes, seatbelts and ROPS, reverse mowing, discharge direction and refuelling
Isolation and energy control for blade disengagement, spark plug leads, ignition keys and park brakes
8 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for rollovers, people struck, blade strikes, fuel spills and fires
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Gardening & Landscaping SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover brushcutters and whipper snippers?
No. Brushcutters, whipper snippers, hedge trimmers and other powered garden equipment are covered by separate SOPs, as are quad bikes and utility vehicles.
Should operators wear a seatbelt on a ride-on mower?
Only when a ROPS is fitted. The SOP says to wear the seatbelt at all times on a mower with a ROPS, and not to wear one on a mower without a ROPS.
Is slope technique different for push and ride-on mowers?
Yes. Ride-on and zero-turn mowers go up and down slopes within the rated limit, while push mowers go across slopes with the mower kept on the downhill side where practical.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
