Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, practical framework for managing biosecurity risks in Australian timber mills, from log receival through to product dispatch. It helps you prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases and contaminants, protecting worker health, safeguarding plantation assets and ensuring compliance with quarantine and export requirements.

Australian timber mills operate at the frontline of biosecurity, handling logs and timber products that can harbour pests, pathogens, moulds and invasive species. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to identifying, controlling and documenting biosecurity risks across the entire mill, including log receival, storage, processing, waste handling and product dispatch. It links day‑to‑day mill activities with broader WHS obligations, quarantine requirements and environmental responsibilities, ensuring that biosecurity is embedded into routine work rather than treated as an ad‑hoc add‑on.

The SOP is designed to help mills demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation while also supporting compliance with domestic quarantine controls and export market expectations. It details practical controls such as inspection protocols, segregation of suspect material, cleaning and disinfection regimes for mobile plant and fixed equipment, dust and mould management, and safe handling of infested or contaminated timber. By implementing this procedure, timber businesses can reduce the risk of worker exposure to biohazards, prevent the spread of pests and disease to plantations and surrounding environments, protect brand reputation and maintain uninterrupted access to high‑value markets.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of introducing and spreading timber pests, diseases and invasive species through structured inspection and control measures.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS duties, quarantine obligations and export biosecurity requirements in a single, integrated procedure.
• Protect workers from exposure to biological hazards such as moulds, spores and contaminated wood dust through clear hygiene and PPE protocols.
• Standardise biosecurity practices across shifts and sites, improving consistency, training effectiveness and audit readiness.
• Minimise operational disruptions, product rejections and reputational damage arising from biosecurity incidents or regulatory non‑compliance.

Who is this for?

• Timber Mill Managers
• Operations Managers
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Biosecurity and Compliance Officers
• Production Supervisors
• Yard Supervisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• Log Yard Operators
• Quality Assurance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to moulds, fungi and wood dust that may cause respiratory irritation, asthma or allergic reactions
• Biological contamination from pests, insects, nematodes and timber‑borne pathogens
• Spread of declared plant pests and diseases via log transport, storage and waste disposal
• Cross‑contamination between incoming raw logs, processed timber and finished products
• Biosecurity risks associated with imported timber, pallets and packaging materials
• Contamination of surrounding environment and plantations through infested waste or runoff
• Infection risks from animal droppings, nesting materials and other biological residues in storage areas
• Manual handling and contact with infested or decaying timber that may harbour harmful organisms

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Biosecurity Terminology
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Framework
• 5.0 Biosecurity Risk Assessment for Timber Mills
• 6.0 Site Access, Visitor Management and Induction Requirements
• 7.0 Log Receival and Initial Inspection Procedures
• 8.0 Segregation and Handling of Suspect or Infested Material
• 9.0 Cleaning, Disinfection and Housekeeping Requirements
• 10.0 Equipment and Vehicle Biosecurity Controls (Mobile Plant, Trucks, Forklifts)
• 11.0 Storage, Yard Layout and Drainage Controls to Minimise Biosecurity Risks
• 12.0 Processing Area Biosecurity Controls (Debarking, Sawing, Drying and Treatment)
• 13.0 Management of Wood Waste, Bark, Sawdust and By‑products
• 14.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene Practices
• 15.0 Monitoring, Surveillance and Record‑Keeping Requirements
• 16.0 Response to Biosecurity Detections, Notifications and Quarantine Directions
• 17.0 Training, Communication and Contractor Management
• 18.0 Emergency and Incident Management for Biosecurity Events
• 19.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement of Biosecurity Measures

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth)
• Australian Standard AS 4707: Chain of custody for forest products
• Australian Standard AS 4708: Sustainable forest management
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• Safe Work Australia – Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice (for disinfectants and treatment chemicals)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice
• Relevant state and territory biosecurity and plant health regulations (e.g. Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, NSW Biosecurity Act 2015)