Product Overview

Summary: This Ag Chemical Handling Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step method for safely storing, mixing, transporting and applying agricultural chemicals on Australian farms and agribusiness sites. It helps you control exposure risks, meet WHS and environmental obligations, and protect workers, contractors, livestock and the surrounding environment from chemical-related harm.

Agricultural chemicals are essential for managing pests, weeds and disease, but they also introduce significant health, safety and environmental risks if not handled correctly. This Ag Chemical Handling Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, practical approach for managing these risks across the full lifecycle of chemical use – from purchase and delivery through to storage, mixing, application, clean‑up, transport and disposal. It translates WHS and environmental requirements into clear, field-ready instructions that workers can follow, even in remote or seasonal operations.

The procedure is designed specifically for Australian farming and land management conditions, where workers may be exposed to concentrated products, decanting tasks, spray drift, confined storage areas and variable weather conditions. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence by documenting safe work methods for handling pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers and other ag chemicals, including those classified as hazardous substances or dangerous goods. By implementing this SOP, you can reduce the likelihood of acute poisonings, long‑term health effects, environmental contamination, and regulatory non-compliance, while also improving training consistency and recordkeeping for audits and chemical user accreditation.

Whether you manage a broadacre cropping enterprise, a vineyard, an orchard, a turf farm or a council parks team, this SOP gives you a ready‑to‑use framework to standardise safe chemical handling practices across your workforce and contractors.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS, hazardous chemicals and environmental protection requirements for agricultural chemical use.
• Reduce the risk of chemical exposure, poisoning, burns and long-term health effects for workers, contractors and bystanders.
• Standardise chemical handling, mixing and application practices across sites, shifts and seasonal workforces.
• Minimise the likelihood of spills, spray drift and off-target impacts that can damage crops, stock, waterways and neighbouring properties.
• Support effective training, induction and competency assessment for licensed and unlicensed chemical users.

Who is this for?

• Farm Owners and Managers
• Mixed Farming Operators
• Horticulture and Viticulture Managers
• Agronomists and Field Technicians
• Chemical Application Operators
• Grounds and Parks Maintenance Teams
• Agricultural Contractors and Spray Contractors
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors in Agriculture
• Rural Council Works Supervisors
• Training Coordinators and Induction Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous and toxic agricultural chemicals via skin contact, inhalation or ingestion
• Chemical burns to skin and eyes from concentrates and mixed solutions
• Acute poisoning and long-term health effects from repeated low-level exposure
• Inhalation of vapours, aerosols and fine mists during mixing and spraying
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and decanting chemical containers
• Spills, leaks and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waterways
• Spray drift affecting neighbouring properties, sensitive crops and public areas
• Fire and explosion risks associated with flammable or oxidising chemicals
• Incompatible chemical storage leading to reactions, gas release or container failure
• Environmental harm from incorrect disposal of surplus chemicals and containers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Agricultural Chemicals
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Operation Requirements and Planning
• 5.0 Chemical Procurement, Delivery and Documentation
• 6.0 Chemical Storage, Segregation and Security
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Safe Handling, Decanting and Mixing Procedures
• 9.0 Safe Use of Measuring, Mixing and Spray Equipment
• 10.0 Field Application Procedures and Spray Drift Management
• 11.0 Transport of Agricultural Chemicals On and Off Site
• 12.0 Spill Prevention, Spill Response and Decontamination
• 13.0 Health Monitoring, First Aid and Emergency Procedures
• 14.0 Environmental Protection and Waste Disposal
• 15.0 Labelling, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Signage Requirements
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 17.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Housekeeping
• 18.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Review of Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations – Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods provisions
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
• AS/NZS 3833: The storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods in packages and intermediate bulk containers
• AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cth)
• APVMA requirements for agricultural and veterinary chemical products and labels
• Environment Protection legislation and guidelines in relevant state or territory (e.g. EPA requirements for chemical storage and spill management)