[Name of Organization] 

Safe Use of Pesticides Including Herbicides in Non-Agricultural Workplaces 

  1. Introduction 

The use, storage, and transport of chemicals including pesticides and herbicides can cause several complications and put human health at risk, especially when it is not handled properly. In order to ensure that your employees don’t face any health hazard, [YOUR COMPANY NAME] should follow a Code of Practice. 

  • It should give practical guidance on how health, safety, and welfare at work can be achieved.  

  • Must be observed unless an alternative course of action, which achieves the same or better level of health, safety, and welfare in the workplace, is being followed. 

  • Can be referred to in support of the preventive enforcement provisions of the OHS Act or OHS Regulation.  

  1. Purpose/ Objective 

The policy and procedures offer practical guidance on the safe use of pesticides for the protection of human health. It also assists pesticide users to achieve a safe system of work and comply with the relevant commonwealth, state, and territory legislation.   

  1. Application 

These guidelines are applicable to employers, self-employed persons, and employees engaged in the end use transport and storage of pesticides other than agricultural and pastoral purposes. It includes pest management techniques and contractors involved in pest management, as well as government workers, weed spraying contractors, grounds maintenance persons, greenkeepers and others who use pesticides as part of their work duties.  

However, these guidelines are not applicable to  

  • the use of pesticides in agricultural workplaces,   

  • the application of timber preservatives where covered in the National code of practice and guidance note for the safe handling of timber preservatives and treated timber   

  • the manufacture, warehousing, distribution, or sale of pesticides.  

  1. Identifying the hazards  

Pesticide hazards in the workplace can be identified from the label on containers, as well as the MSDS for the pesticides supplied. Other types of hazards are not covered by these guidelines. Other types of hazards are not covered by these guidelines. For instance, it will be necessary to consider the physical risks arising from things like electricity, heights, pressurized equipment, and confined spaces. Information on the correct use of equipment should be obtained from the supplier or the manufacturer. 

  1. Assessing the risk   

A risk assessment is based on information supplied on the label and MSDS, and involves an inspection of the actual work location and work practices. In some of the situations, it can be necessary to obtain specialist advice. Risk assessment should be reviewed if: 

  • work practices change  

  • information on an MSDS or a label changes  

  • work practices change 

  • a new pesticide is introduced 

  • requirement is indicated by the results of health surveillance or monitoring 

  • five years have passed since the last assessment  

 

  1. Types of risks   

A risk assessment should cover risks to: 

  • users, from the preparation and use of pesticides where the emphasis is o controlling contact with pesticides  

  • others, from spray drift, contamination, residues, and disposal 

  • persons, property and the environment by accidental events, like spillage or fire in storage or transport  

Under occupational health and safety legislation, it may also be necessary to assess other risks such as those arising from manual handlings and the use of plant and equipment.  

  1. Controls  

Controls are methods, which reduce or eliminate the risk of pesticides accidents or exposures. Maintenance of controls should be part of any plan to introduce a pesticide into [YOUR ORGANISATION NAME]. The continuing use and effectiveness of controls should be monitored properly.  

  1. Recording risk management  

Maintaining records is a crucial part of risk assessment and management. The beginning point is a register that includes a listening of pesticides in the workplace. Hazardous substance legislation specifies that the minimum information, which should be included, is a register is a list of all hazardous substances used or produced in the workplace and the relevant MSDS.  

  1. Information, Education, and Training 

Under hazardous substances legislation, employers should provide induction and ongoing training to employees, who are most likely to be exposed to hazardous substances. The training should commensurate with the risk to health and should be given in an appropriate manner. Employers may, under such legislation, be liable for any breached of legislation, where the breach resulted from the activity of the employees.  

Other legislation needs training on pest management techniques. It can be through an approved course, along with on-the-job training and supervision. Training is also specified for fumigators. Others persons should also receive appropriate training as part of an accredited course.    

However, additional on-the-job training will also be required, as outlined below.  

Training by employers    

Induction training into the circumstances and equipment in the workplace is necessary for new employees. Training should be considered when an employee is assigned to a new task or a new work environment. Training can be formal or on the job. It should be practical and hands-on where this is relevant. The following persons should have appropriate training: 

  • employees who are required to use or store a pesticide 

  • employees who are supervising others working with a pesticide  

  • those who need to work in close proximity to where pesticides are used and stored, or who come into contact with hazardous residue  

  • everyone likely to be occupied in fire or emergency action 

  • casual or seasonal wreckers who may use or come into contact with a pesticide or hazardous residue.  

Legislative requirements  

Such training should cover: 

  • duties under occupational health and safety Acts and regulations, public health, dangerous goods, and environmental legislation 

  • hazardous substances legislation, as well as these guidelines  

  • advice regarding the pesticides, which can be stored or used in the workplace 

  • the legal significance of a label and any restrictions resulting from it 

  • relevant and up-to-date legislation or guidance material relating to the transport, use storage, and disposal of pesticides  

Personal safety  

Where relevant, training should also cover: 

  • the exposure pathway into the body by the pesticides 

  • the risks posed by the pesticides 

  • the precautions to be taken for a particular task 

  • control measures, as well as maintenance 

  • the risk assessment process 

  • the selection, use, and maintenance of protective equipment and clothing 

  • exposure controls while working in a tractor or truck cabin 

  • health surveillance  

  • air monitoring 

  • first aid and incident reporting procedures  

  • entry into enclosed places  

  • entry into confined spaces and many more  

Emergency procedures  

Training should also cover: 

  • protection of human life  

  • the potential for environmental damages  

  • spill control as well as initial measures in order to establish control in emergencies  

  • documentation of the affected area or the article  

  • first aid or incident reporting procedures  

  • arrangements for calling emergency services  

 

  

  1. Responsibilities  

Responsibilities of the Employer  

People who use and store pesticides in workplaces, or supply pesticides for use at work, have legal responsibilities. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (OHS Act), employers of an organization should ensure health and safety and welfare of their employees and other persons at work. Employers have specific obligations to: 

  • make sure that information is available so that pesticides can be used safely, without any risk 

  • give employees with instruction, supervision, and training 

  • provide safe systems to work, along with the use of plant and equipment  

It is also the responsibility of the employers to protect the health and safety of other persons, who are not employees, like contractors and their employees, or members of the public. It includes risk arising from the application of pesticides, spray drift, and any residues left after application. This function can also be delegated to a manager. 

  

Responsibilities of the Employee  

  1. An employee working with or near pesticides has the responsibility to maintain safe work practices in order to protect their own health and safety and that of others in the workplace. 

  1. An employee should report promptly to their employer anything that may be in their view affects compliance with any relevant legislation. 

 

  1. Implementation and Review 

[YOUR COMPANY NAME] will review and can make changes to this policy and procedures as needed at a regular interval. 

Date: