Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out safe, compliant and environmentally responsible methods for using chemicals during land clearing activities in Australia. It guides workers and supervisors through planning, application, storage and disposal so chemical use is controlled, documented and aligned with WHS and environmental obligations.

Chemical use in land clearing carries a unique combination of WHS, environmental and reputational risks. Herbicides, defoliants and other agrichemicals are often applied in challenging field conditions, around heavy machinery, near waterways and sensitive ecosystems, and sometimes close to public access areas. Without a clear, practical procedure, businesses can quickly fall foul of WHS legislation, pesticide control laws, and community expectations around environmental stewardship.

This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step framework for planning and carrying out chemical use in land clearing, from pre-start assessments and product selection through to application, record-keeping and post-treatment monitoring. It addresses worker health and safety, drift and spray control, chemical storage and transport, and emergency response for spills and exposures. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, protect workers and the environment, and maintain consistent, defensible practices across multiple sites and crews.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe handling, mixing and application of herbicides and other chemicals during land clearing operations.
• Reduce the risk of worker exposure, chemical spills, off-target damage and environmental contamination.
• Standardise land clearing chemical practices across crews, contractors and sites for consistent quality and compliance.
• Demonstrate due diligence with documented procedures, pre-start checks and application records that support WHS and regulatory audits.
• Support effective training and competency assessment for operators using chemicals in remote or high-risk land clearing environments.

Who is this for?

• Land Clearing Contractors
• Vegetation Management Supervisors
• Civil Construction Supervisors
• Forestry Operations Managers
• Farm Managers and Station Managers
• Local Government Parks and Reserves Officers
• Utility Corridor Maintenance Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Environmental Officers and Coordinators
• Licensed Chemical Users and Spray Operators

Hazards Addressed

• Skin and eye contact with concentrated or diluted chemicals
• Inhalation of chemical vapours, mists or aerosols during mixing and spraying
• Chemical ingestion due to poor hygiene or contaminated food and drink areas
• Chemical spills during transport, storage, decanting or application
• Off-target spray drift impacting neighbouring properties, crops or public areas
• Contamination of soil, waterways and drainage lines
• Fire and explosion risks from flammable chemicals or fuel-chemical interactions
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying chemical containers
• Slips, trips and falls on contaminated or uneven ground during application
• Adverse reactions due to inadequate PPE or pre-existing health conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Pre-Planning and Site Assessment for Chemical Use
• 5.0 Chemical Selection, Approval and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Required Competencies, Licensing and Training
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Chemical Transport, Storage and Security on Site
• 9.0 Mixing, Decanting and Handling Procedures
• 10.0 Application Methods for Land Clearing (Ground, Spot, Mechanical Integration)
• 11.0 Controls for Spray Drift, Weather Conditions and Exclusion Zones
• 12.0 Environmental Protection Measures (Waterways, Sensitive Flora and Fauna)
• 13.0 Decontamination, Waste Management and Disposal
• 14.0 Incident, Spill and Exposure Response Procedures
• 15.0 Health Monitoring and First Aid Considerations
• 16.0 Record-Keeping, Maps and Reporting Requirements
• 17.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding State and Territory WHS legislation
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Relevant State and Territory pesticide control and environmental protection legislation (e.g. NSW Pesticides Act, QLD Chemical Usage Acts)