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Agricultural Spraying Risk Assessment

Agricultural Spraying Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Agricultural Spraying Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Agricultural Spraying through a structured, management-level WHS Risk Management framework that supports planning, governance and system design. This Risk Assessment helps demonstrate Due Diligence under the WHS Act, reducing operational liability and strengthening defensible compliance across your spraying operations.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Governance & WHS Duties: Assessment of PCBU obligations, officer due diligence, safety leadership and oversight arrangements for agricultural spraying programs.
  • Spraying Safety Management System: Development and review of policies, procedures, documentation and audit processes specific to aerial and ground-based spraying operations.
  • Contractor, Pilot & Operator Management: Systems for prequalification, engagement, supervision and performance monitoring of contractors, pilots and equipment operators.
  • Competency, Licensing & Training: Management of licensing requirements, endorsements, refresher training, verification of competency and recordkeeping for spraying personnel.
  • Plant, Aircraft & Equipment Procurement: Selection, design and modification controls for aircraft, spray rigs, pumps, booms and associated plant to ensure WHS and airworthiness compliance.
  • Inspection, Maintenance & Calibration: Scheduled inspection regimes, maintenance programs and calibration systems for aircraft, spray equipment and monitoring devices.
  • Chemical Selection, Storage & Inventory: Governance of chemical approval, label compliance, segregation, bunding, stock rotation and inventory traceability.
  • Chemical Handling, Mixing & Decanting Systems: Management of bulk transfer, mixing facilities, decanting procedures, ventilation and contamination controls.
  • Flight & Spraying Planning (Aviation Risk Management): Protocols for flight planning, load calculations, weather and terrain assessment, no-fly zones and operational risk controls.
  • Spray Drift & Environmental Management: Controls for drift minimisation, buffer zones, notification of neighbouring properties, waterway protection and environmental compliance.
  • Fatigue, Rostering & Seasonal Workload: Systems for managing long hours, peak season pressures, rest breaks, shift design and fatigue risk monitoring.
  • Traffic, Ground Movement & Airside Coordination: Management of vehicle movements, loading zones, refuelling areas, airside access and ground crew coordination.
  • PPE Programs & Health Surveillance: Selection, issue and maintenance of PPE, fit-testing, exposure monitoring and health surveillance for chemical-related health risks.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Spill & Incident Management: Planning for chemical spills, aircraft incidents, medical emergencies, notification procedures and post-incident review.
  • Remote & Isolated Work, Communications & Navigation: Systems for communication, tracking, navigation, check-in procedures and emergency response for remote spraying locations.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Agricultural Managers, Aviation Operators and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, approving and overseeing agricultural spraying operations and contractor engagements.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Governance, WHS Duties and PCBU Oversight
  • • Lack of clear WHS governance for aerial and ground-based spraying operations
  • • PCBU and Officers not fully understanding due diligence obligations under WHS Act 2011
  • • Inadequate consultation with workers, contractors and other PCBUs (e.g. neighbouring farms, aviation operators)
  • • No formal WHS objectives, KPIs or review processes specific to crop spraying
  • • Inadequate allocation of resources to manage complex spraying risks (aviation, chemicals, remote work)
  • • Failure to integrate agricultural spraying risks into the organisation’s WHS management system
2. Safety Management System for Spraying Operations
  • • Absence of a documented safety management system covering both aerial and ground spraying
  • • Fragmented procedures and inconsistent practices between properties or contractors
  • • Lack of integration between aviation safety procedures and farm WHS procedures
  • • Poor document control leading to use of outdated chemical, aircraft or equipment procedures
  • • No systematic process for identifying, assessing and controlling new or changed spraying risks
3. Contractor, Pilot and Operator Management
  • • Use of unverified pilots or aircraft operators for crop dusting and aerial spraying
  • • Inadequate vetting of contract boom spray and self‑propelled sprayer operators
  • • No system to verify licences, endorsements and medicals for pilots and machinery operators
  • • Poor definition of WHS responsibilities between PCBUs (farmer, aviation company, spraying contractors)
  • • Contractor selection based purely on cost without WHS performance criteria
  • • Insufficient monitoring of contractor compliance with site rules and WHS procedures
4. Competency, Licensing and Training Systems
  • • Operators and pilots performing spraying tasks without verified competency
  • • Inadequate training in pesticide handling, drift management and label compliance
  • • No formal training for ground crews in loading aircraft, mixing chemicals and managing spills
  • • Lack of refresher training for seasonal workers and contractors
  • • Insufficient instruction on fatigue risk, low‑level flying hazards and agricultural flight operations
  • • Training records not maintained or unable to demonstrate compliance to regulators
5. Plant, Aircraft and Equipment Procurement & Design
  • • Acquisition of aircraft or sprayers that are unsuitable or unsafe for specific crops or terrain
  • • Lack of engineering controls such as enclosed cabs, filtration systems and fail‑safe shut‑offs on sprayers
  • • Spray equipment not compatible with current chemical formulations or application rates
  • • No WHS input into procurement decisions for new aircraft, boom sprayers or self‑propelled units
  • • Use of non‑compliant tanks, pumps, hoses and fittings that increase risk of leaks or spills
6. Inspection, Maintenance and Calibration Systems
  • • Inadequate maintenance of aircraft, spray rigs and self‑propelled sprayers leading to mechanical failure
  • • Failure to detect worn hoses, seals or fittings, resulting in chemical leaks and spills
  • • Spray nozzles and booms not calibrated, causing over‑application, drift or ineffective treatment
  • • Maintenance schedules not aligned with manufacturer requirements or aviation regulations
  • • Poor record keeping for maintenance, inspections and defect rectification
7. Chemical Selection, Storage and Inventory Management
  • • Use of chemicals without consideration of toxicity, environmental impact and compatibility with spraying equipment
  • • Inadequate segregation and storage of pesticides and herbicides, increasing fire, spill and exposure risks
  • • Outdated or missing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for products used in aerial and ground spraying
  • • Poor inventory control leading to expired, degraded or unlabelled chemicals on site
  • • Failure to consider substitution of less hazardous chemicals or formulations
8. Chemical Handling, Mixing and Decanting Systems
  • • Uncontrolled manual handling of concentrated chemicals during mixing and loading
  • • Inadequate systems for preventing splash, inhalation and skin contact when decanting and transferring product
  • • No standardised mixing instructions or verification checks, resulting in incorrect concentrations
  • • Inadequate facilities for eye‑washing and decontamination at mixing and loading areas
  • • Insufficient control of ignition sources when handling flammable formulations
9. Flight and Spraying Planning (Aviation Risk Management)
  • • Inadequate low‑level flight planning near powerlines, trees and structures
  • • Insufficient assessment of weather, turbulence and wind conditions leading to spray drift and loss of control
  • • Poor coordination between pilot, ground crew and farm management regarding spray areas and exclusion zones
  • • Lack of formal processes for wire and obstacle identification and marking
  • • No structured pre‑flight risk assessment or go/no‑go decision framework
10. Spray Drift, Environmental and Neighbouring Property Management
  • • Uncontrolled spray drift impacting neighbouring crops, residences, waterways or sensitive ecosystems
  • • Failure to respect exclusion zones around schools, houses, organic farms and water sources
  • • Inadequate systems for monitoring weather conditions during spraying
  • • Poor communication with neighbours about planned aerial or boom spraying activities
  • • Non‑compliance with label instructions and regulatory requirements relating to drift mitigation
11. Fatigue, Rostering and Seasonal Workload Management
  • • Long shifts and cumulative fatigue during peak spraying periods leading to error and accidents
  • • Inadequate rostering practices for pilots and operators, especially during favourable weather windows
  • • No formal fatigue risk management system for low‑level flying and night or early‑morning operations
  • • Seasonal and casual workers not covered by organisational fatigue policies
  • • Pressure from production targets overriding safe work hours
12. Traffic, Ground Movement and Airside Coordination
  • • Uncontrolled movement of trucks, fuel tankers, chemical delivery vehicles and sprayers near aircraft operating areas
  • • Lack of separation between pedestrian, plant and aircraft movements during loading and turnaround
  • • Poor layout of loading zones, taxiways and parking areas leading to collision risk
  • • Inadequate marshalling and signalling systems between ground crew and pilots
  • • No formal traffic management plan at temporary or improvised airstrips and mixing pads
13. PPE Programs and Health Surveillance for Chemical Exposure
  • • Reliance on ad‑hoc or inappropriate PPE for highly hazardous chemicals
  • • No systematic fit testing, training or maintenance for respiratory protection
  • • Failure to identify workers requiring health surveillance under WHS Regulations
  • • Inconsistent decontamination and laundering arrangements for contaminated clothing
  • • Lack of monitoring of cumulative exposure for frequent mixers, loaders and operators
14. Emergency Preparedness, Spill and Incident Management
  • • Inadequate planning for aircraft crash, chemical spill or fire involving pesticides and fuels
  • • Lack of accessible spill kits and emergency equipment at airstrips and mixing areas
  • • Poor coordination with local emergency services regarding aerial spraying operations
  • • No structured post‑incident investigation process to address root causes
  • • Failure to practise and evaluate emergency drills involving pilots and ground crews
15. Remote and Isolated Work, Communications and Navigation
  • • Spraying activities conducted in remote paddocks and isolated airstrips without reliable communication systems
  • • Delayed emergency response due to poor location tracking of aircraft, vehicles and operators
  • • No formal check‑in/check‑out procedures for pilots and spraying crews working alone
  • • Insufficient mapping and navigation information for new or temporary spray sites
  • • Inadequate planning for breakdowns or forced landings in remote areas
16. Consultation, Reporting, Audit and Continuous Improvement
  • • Workers and contractors not consulted on practical spraying risks and control effectiveness
  • • Under‑reporting of near misses, chemical exposures and minor incidents
  • • Lack of formal inspections and audits specific to aerial and boom spraying activities
  • • No structured mechanism to review new technology (e.g. GPS guidance, auto‑boom control, drones) and integrate it safely
  • • Failure to close out corrective actions arising from incidents, audits or regulator notices

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals.
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe workplaces, amenities and environmental conditions.
  • Managing Fatigue in the Workplace (industry guidance): Principles for fatigue risk management in seasonal and high-demand operations.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements for systematic WHS management.
  • AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, where fuel and certain chemicals are present.
  • Relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) & CASA Guidance Material: Aviation safety and operational requirements for aerial application activities.
  • Environmental Protection Regulations & EPA Guidance: Controls for spray drift, chemical run-off and protection of neighbouring land and waterways.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

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