Beekeeping SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers beekeeping work from planning the site and establishing access controls through hive inspection, treatment, harvesting, relocation and clean-up. It supports planning work steps and managing hazards associated with bee stings, colony behaviour, chemicals, manual handling, transport, weather and public exposure.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work, assess the site and prepare for emergencies and weather
• Establish access controls and an exclusion zone
• Inspect protective equipment, smokers and other equipment
• Approach, calm, open and inspect colonies
• Treat pests and disease
• Harvest honey and remove supers
• Close and secure hives
• Prepare hives for relocation
• Transport and place hives
• Remove a hive from a tree
• Clean, decontaminate and sign off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out beekeeping activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to eliminate or minimise risks, consult workers, provide information, training, supervision, safe plant, safe systems of work and emergency arrangements.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of falls at workplaces (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Code of Practice: Managing the risks of biological hazards at work (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Code of Practice: Safe use and storage of agricultural and veterinary chemicals (guidance only; check adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cth), including APVMA registration and label requirements for agricultural and veterinary chemical products.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 high-visibility garments; AS/NZS 1891 series industrial fall-arrest systems; AS 2550.10 and AS 1418.10 elevating work platforms, where applicable.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections