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General Farm Maintenance Chemicals and Workshop Risk Assessment

General Farm Maintenance Chemicals and Workshop Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
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  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

General Farm Maintenance Chemicals and Workshop Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with General Farm Maintenance Chemicals and Workshop activities using this management-level Risk Assessment, focused on planning, governance, systems and resourcing rather than task-by-task work instructions. This document supports executive Due Diligence, strengthens WHS Risk Management processes, and helps demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act while reducing operational and legal exposure for your farming business.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance & Farm Safety Leadership: Assessment of safety leadership, consultation arrangements, allocation of WHS responsibilities, and integration of farm safety into business planning and decision-making.
  • Chemical Governance & Inventory Management: Management of agricultural chemical selection, purchasing controls, inventory registers, SDS access, expiry monitoring, segregation of incompatible substances, and disposal pathways.
  • Chemical Storage, Mixing & Spill Containment Systems: Evaluation of storage facilities, bunding, ventilation, decanting and mixing areas, spill kits, emergency showers/eyewash, and procedures for managing leaks and accidental releases.
  • Worker Competency, Licencing & Training: Assessment of competency frameworks, chemical user accreditation, high-risk licences, refresher training, supervision levels, and verification-of-competency for both chemical handling and workshop activities.
  • Workshop Layout, Housekeeping & General Safety Systems: Management of workshop design, traffic flow, lighting, guarding, storage systems, walkways, fire separation, and housekeeping standards to minimise slips, trips, struck-by and fire risks.
  • Plant, Tools & Machinery Maintenance Programs: Governance of inspection schedules, preventative maintenance, isolation/lockout procedures, guarding compliance, defect reporting, and safe introduction of new plant and equipment.
  • Work at Height & Structural Maintenance Controls: Risk management of work on windmills, roofs, silos and structures, including access systems, anchor points, fall-prevention and fall-arrest equipment, rescue planning, and contractor oversight.
  • Wells, Pits, Effluent Systems & Confined Space Hazards: Assessment of physical and atmospheric risks associated with wells, pits, sumps, effluent and liquid manure systems, including isolation, guarding, confined space entry controls and rescue arrangements.
  • Farm Waste, Effluent & Environmental Management: Management of chemical residues, contaminated waste, effluent treatment, run-off control, and environmentally responsible disposal practices to meet both WHS and environmental obligations.
  • Telemetry, Electrical Safety & Remote Monitoring Systems: Evaluation of electrical installations, RCD use, maintenance of pumps and control panels, telemetry reliability, alarm escalation processes, and safe access to remote equipment.
  • Emergency Preparedness, First Aid & Incident Response: Planning for chemical exposure, fire, explosion, entrapment and injury events, including emergency procedures, first aid resources, communication systems, and post-incident review processes.
  • PPE Management, Hygiene & Decontamination Systems: Governance of PPE selection, issue, training, cleaning, replacement schedules, and hygiene facilities to control exposure to chemicals, biological hazards and workshop contaminants.
  • Contractor & Supplier Management for Maintenance Activities: Systems for prequalification, induction, scope definition, permit-to-work, supervision and performance review of contractors and suppliers engaged in farm maintenance and chemical-related work.
  • Documentation, Record Keeping & Continuous Improvement: Management of policies, procedures, risk registers, training records, inspection logs, incident data and review processes to support ongoing compliance and continual improvement of the WHS management system.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Farm Owners, Agribusiness Directors, Operations Managers and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, governing and auditing General Farm Maintenance Chemicals and Workshop activities across their operations.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Consultation and Farm Safety Leadership
  • • Absence of a documented WHS management plan covering chemicals and workshop activities
  • • Inadequate consultation with workers, family members and contractors about farm risks
  • • Unclear WHS roles, responsibilities and delegation of authority for farm maintenance and chemical safety
  • • Failure to integrate WHS Act 2011 duties into day‑to‑day farm decision‑making
  • • Poor safety culture leading to normalisation of unsafe practices in the workshop and chemical storage areas
  • • Inadequate incident reporting, investigation and corrective action processes
  • • Lack of monitoring of compliance with internal policies and legal obligations
2. Farm Chemical Governance and Inventory Management
  • • Lack of a current chemical inventory for agricultural and veterinary chemicals stored or used on the farm
  • • Use of unregistered, decanted or mislabelled products leading to unknown health and environmental risks
  • • Failure to obtain, store and reference current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) as required by WHS Regulations
  • • Excessive quantities of incompatible chemicals (e.g. oxidisers and fuels) stored in close proximity
  • • Inadequate control of who can purchase, receive and authorise the use of hazardous chemicals
  • • Poor record keeping of chemical use, mixing, disposal and spill incidents
  • • Retention of banned, expired or deteriorated products that may become unstable or ineffective
3. Chemical Storage, Mixing Areas and Spill Containment
  • • Improperly designed or unbunded chemical sheds leading to uncontrolled spills and environmental contamination
  • • Inadequate segregation of agricultural chemicals from feed, seed, veterinary supplies and ignition sources
  • • Lack of controlled, ventilated and weather‑protected areas for chemical mixing and decanting
  • • Poorly maintained storage structures, racks and shelving leading to collapse or container damage
  • • Insufficient spill kits, absorbent materials and drip trays for routine and emergency spill response
  • • Inadequate stormwater management leading to chemicals entering drains, wells, bores or watercourses
  • • Unauthorised access by children, visitors or livestock to chemical storage or mixing areas
4. Worker Competency, Licencing and Training for Chemicals and Workshop
  • • Workers and contractors handling agricultural and veterinary chemicals without adequate training in safe use and risk controls
  • • Lack of verification of high‑risk competencies for tasks such as work at height on windmills, confined spaces near wells and effluent pits, or electrical tasks on telemetry systems
  • • Inadequate induction for new or seasonal workers regarding chemical hazards, workshop plant, and emergency procedures
  • • Failure to maintain records of training, licences and authorisations, leading to unqualified persons performing hazardous tasks
  • • Insufficient understanding of hazard communication, including labelling, SDS and chemical risk assessments
  • • Language or literacy barriers that impede understanding of instructions or safety information
5. Workshop Layout, Housekeeping and General Safety Systems
  • • Poor workshop layout causing congestion, trip hazards and unsafe interaction between vehicles, machinery and pedestrians
  • • Inadequate separation of grinding, welding and hot‑work activities from flammable liquids and combustible materials
  • • Accumulation of waste materials, offcuts, oily rags and farm rubbish increasing fire and trip risks
  • • Insufficient storage solutions leading to tools and parts being stored at height or in unstable stacks
  • • Inadequate lighting and ventilation in workshop and maintenance areas
  • • Lack of documented workshop rules, authorisation and supervision for high‑risk maintenance activities
6. Plant, Tools and Machinery Maintenance Systems
  • • Absence of a planned maintenance schedule for tractors, farm machinery, power tools, and workshop equipment
  • • Failure to inspect and maintain safety‑critical devices such as guards, ROPS, PTO shields, hydraulic hoses and pressure relief valves
  • • Use of defective, modified or non‑compliant tools and equipment in the workshop
  • • Inadequate lock‑out, tag‑out and isolation procedures during maintenance and repair of machinery, windmills and pumps
  • • Poorly managed mobile plant and vehicle maintenance increasing breakdown and crash risks
  • • Lack of documented pre‑start and post‑maintenance checks for key farm equipment
7. Work at Height, Windmill and Structural Maintenance Risk Management
  • • Uncontrolled work at height on windmills, tank stands, roofs and elevated structures without proper fall protection systems
  • • Use of unsuitable ladders, makeshift platforms or non‑rated lifting equipment for structural repairs
  • • Lack of engineered access systems for routine maintenance of elevated tanks, windmills and telemetry installations
  • • Inadequate assessment of structural integrity before workers climb or attach equipment
  • • Failure to manage dropped object risks around elevated work areas
  • • Insufficient planning for emergency rescue in the event of a fall or medical episode while working at height
8. Wells, Pits, Effluent Systems and Liquid Manure Risk Management
  • • Exposure to toxic or asphyxiating gases from effluent ponds, liquid manure storage, sumps and enclosed pits
  • • Uncontrolled entry into confined spaces such as tanks, wells, underground sumps and effluent pits without proper controls
  • • Unprotected edges around wells, tanks and ponds creating fall hazards for workers, children and livestock
  • • Failure of covers, gratings or barriers over wells and pits due to corrosion or poor design
  • • Inadequate design and maintenance of effluent systems leading to blockages, overflows and environmental contamination
  • • Lack of clear procedures for managing crusted surfaces on effluent ponds that may conceal weak points
9. Farm Waste, Effluent Treatment and Environmental Management
  • • Unsystematic management of farm waste leading to uncontrolled burning, illegal dumping or contamination of soil and waterways
  • • Inadequate separation of chemical containers, veterinary waste, sharps, oily wastes and general rubbish
  • • Failure to manage run‑off from manure stockpiles and effluent spreading areas, impacting neighbours and water sources
  • • Storage of waste agricultural and veterinary chemical containers without triple‑rinsing or appropriate collection arrangements
  • • Lack of documented procedures for the treatment and land application of farm effluent and liquid manure
  • • Insufficient records to demonstrate compliance with environmental and biosecurity requirements
10. Telemetry, Electrical Safety and Remote Monitoring Systems
  • • Installation or modification of telemetry and electrical systems on pumps, windmills and equipment by unqualified persons
  • • Inadequate protection of low‑voltage, solar and battery systems against weather, dust and mechanical damage
  • • Poor segregation of electrical wiring from metal pipework, walkways and access ladders
  • • Lack of documented inspection and testing regime for electrical installations and portable equipment in the workshop
  • • Insufficient cybersecurity or system integrity controls on telemetry leading to unreliable data for safety‑critical decisions (e.g. water levels, pump operation)
  • • Failure of remote monitoring systems without alarms or back‑up checks, resulting in undetected hazards such as empty tanks, pump failures or overflows
11. Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Incident Response
  • • Lack of coordinated response plans for chemical exposure, fires, structural collapse, gas incidents and machinery entrapment
  • • Insufficient accessible first aid supplies, eyewash and safety showers near workshops and chemical handling areas
  • • Poor communication arrangements for remote work on windmills, wells and distant paddocks
  • • Workers and family members not trained in basic first aid, CPR or emergency use of fire equipment
  • • Inadequate planning for spill containment and notification to regulators or neighbours after major incidents
  • • Absence of clear property addressing, maps or site information for emergency services
12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management and Hygiene Systems
  • • Over‑reliance on PPE instead of higher‑order controls for chemicals and workshop hazards
  • • Inadequate selection, fitting, maintenance and replacement of PPE for chemical handling, effluent work and workshop tasks
  • • Shared or poorly cleaned PPE, increasing risk of contamination and dermatitis
  • • Lack of facilities for washing, decontamination and safe clothing changes after chemical or effluent exposure
  • • Failure to enforce PPE requirements in farm policies and supervision practices
13. Contractor and Supplier Management for Farm Maintenance Activities
  • • Engagement of contractors for workshop repairs, windmill maintenance, telemetry setup or effluent works without adequate WHS vetting
  • • Poor coordination between farm operations and contractor activities leading to conflicting tasks and increased risk
  • • Lack of clear exchange of information about site‑specific hazards, chemicals and underground services
  • • Inadequate supervision of contractor work, particularly where high‑risk plant, work at height or confined spaces are involved
  • • Assumption that contractors fully manage their own safety without verification
14. Documentation, Record Keeping and Continuous Improvement
  • • Loss of critical WHS records such as chemical registers, training records, maintenance logs and risk assessments
  • • Outdated procedures and policies remaining in circulation and causing confusion
  • • Inability to demonstrate compliance with WHS Act 2011 and Regulations during inspections or after incidents
  • • Failure to systematically review incidents, near misses and changes in farm operations for learning opportunities
  • • Informal or verbal safety arrangements that are not consistently communicated or applied

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
  • Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on safe storage, handling and risk control for hazardous chemicals.
  • Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for work at height, including ladders, roofs and structures.
  • Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on the safe management, maintenance and guarding of plant, tools and machinery.
  • Confined Spaces – Code of Practice: Requirements for identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with wells, pits, tanks and similar spaces.
  • First Aid in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on first aid facilities, equipment and response arrangements.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • AS 1940:2017: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
  • AS 3780:2008: The storage and handling of corrosive substances.
  • AS/NZS 60079 (series): Explosive atmospheres – requirements for electrical equipment and installations in hazardous areas.
  • AS/NZS 3012:2019: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (applied as good practice for temporary and workshop electrical safety).
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001 (reference): Occupational health and safety management systems – principles for systematic WHS governance and continual improvement.
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

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