Product Overview

Summary: This Greenhouse Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for running safe, efficient and compliant greenhouse operations in Australia. It combines WHS risk controls with day‑to‑day crop management, ensuring plants, people and property are protected in all seasons and weather conditions.

Greenhouses present a unique mix of WHS, environmental and operational risks: high heat and humidity, chemical use, plant pathogens, intensive irrigation systems, moving equipment and often a culturally diverse, seasonal workforce. This Greenhouse Management Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step‑by‑step approach to managing these risks while maintaining consistent crop quality and productivity. It aligns with Australian WHS expectations for risk management, consultation, training and record keeping, helping you demonstrate that greenhouse work is planned, controlled and monitored.

The SOP covers the full lifecycle of greenhouse operations, from pre‑season preparation and infrastructure checks, through daily opening and closing routines, chemical and biological control programs, irrigation and fertigation management, hygiene and biosecurity protocols, right through to emergency response and incident reporting. By implementing this procedure, greenhouse businesses can reduce injuries, minimise crop loss, protect the environment and maintain compliance with relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practice. It is suitable for commercial vegetable, cut flower, nursery, hydroponic and other protected cropping enterprises looking to formalise their practices and provide clear instructions to new and existing staff.

Key Benefits

• Ensure greenhouse activities are carried out in line with Australian WHS legislation and industry good practice.
• Reduce the risk of heat stress, chemical exposure, slips, trips and other common greenhouse injuries.
• Standardise daily routines, crop care tasks and hygiene practices across shifts and seasonal workforces.
• Improve crop consistency and yield through structured monitoring, irrigation and climate control procedures.
• Provide clear, documented instructions that streamline onboarding, supervision and safety training.

Who is this for?

• Greenhouse Managers
• Horticulture Supervisors
• Farm Owners and Operators
• Production Managers (Protected Cropping)
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Team Leaders and Leading Hands
• Facility and Maintenance Supervisors
• Agronomists and Horticultural Consultants

Hazards Addressed

• Heat stress and dehydration in hot, humid greenhouse environments
• Chemical exposure from pesticides, fertilisers and cleaning agents
• Slips, trips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces and between crop rows
• Manual handling injuries from lifting trays, bags, pots and equipment
• Biological hazards including moulds, plant pathogens and organic dusts
• Electrical hazards from pumps, lighting, fans and automated systems
• Entanglement or pinch points with moving vents, trolleys and mechanised equipment
• Confined or restricted access areas within densely planted structures
• Exposure to UV from supplemental lighting where used
• Emergency situations including fire, structural damage and severe weather events

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Reference
• 5.0 Greenhouse Layout, Access and Traffic Management
• 6.0 Pre‑Season and Pre‑Start Inspections
• 7.0 Daily Opening and Closing Procedures
• 8.0 Climate Control, Ventilation and Heat Stress Management
• 9.0 Irrigation, Fertigation and Water Management
• 10.0 Chemical Handling, Mixing, Application and Storage
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 12.0 Hygiene, Sanitation and Biosecurity Protocols
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Use of Tools and Equipment
• 14.0 Electrical and Mechanical Equipment Safety (fans, pumps, vents, trolleys)
• 15.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (fire, medical, severe weather, chemical spill)
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Crop Loss Reporting
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Supervision of Workers
• 19.0 Monitoring, Record Keeping and Continuous Improvement
• 20.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS/NZS 1680: Interior and workplace lighting (for greenhouse work areas and packing sheds)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2210: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• Horticulture industry guidelines for protected cropping and greenhouse operations (Australia)