Product Overview

Summary: This Herbicide Application Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for safely mixing, handling and applying herbicides in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control chemical exposure risks, protect the environment, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and pesticide use requirements across agriculture, landscaping and land management operations.

Herbicide use is a routine part of vegetation and weed management across farms, councils, utilities, and commercial landscapes, yet it carries significant risks if not tightly controlled. This Herbicide Application Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, defensible method for planning, preparing, applying and disposing of herbicides in a way that protects workers, the public and the environment. It translates WHS and chemical control obligations into clear on-the-ground instructions that operators can easily follow.

The SOP addresses real-world challenges such as managing spray drift near sensitive receptors, preventing skin and inhalation exposure, ensuring correct mixing and dilution, and maintaining accurate spray records for audits and regulator inspections. It guides you through pre-start checks, weather and site assessment, selection and use of PPE, safe decanting and mixing, calibrated application, post-application hygiene and clean-up, and emergency response to spills or accidental exposure. Implementing this procedure helps Australian businesses reduce incident risk, improve consistency across crews and sites, and provide evidence that herbicide application is being managed in line with WHS duties and environmental expectations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure herbicide mixing, handling and application are carried out in line with Australian WHS and chemical use obligations.
• Reduce the risk of worker exposure to hazardous chemicals through structured PPE, hygiene and handling controls.
• Minimise spray drift, off-target damage and environmental harm by standardising weather checks and application techniques.
• Strengthen training, induction and supervision by giving crews a clear, step-by-step procedure to follow on every job.
• Improve record-keeping and regulatory defensibility with consistent documentation of herbicide products, rates and treatment areas.

Who is this for?

• Farm Managers
• Grounds and Landscape Supervisors
• Parks and Gardens Team Leaders
• Local Council Operations Managers
• Horticulture and Viticulture Managers
• Vegetation Management Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Environmental Officers
• Irrigation and Maintenance Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Skin and eye contact with concentrated or diluted herbicides
• Inhalation of mists, aerosols or vapours during mixing and spraying
• Chemical spills during transport, decanting and mixing
• Spray drift affecting bystanders, neighbouring properties or sensitive crops
• Contamination of soil, waterways and stormwater systems
• Improper storage or disposal of herbicides and containers
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying chemical containers and spray equipment
• Exposure due to poorly maintained or faulty spray equipment
• Heat stress and dehydration during outdoor spraying activities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Manufacturer Requirements
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 7.0 Pre-Application Planning and Site Assessment
• 8.0 Herbicide Transport, Storage and Security
• 9.0 Safe Mixing, Decanting and Dilution Procedures
• 10.0 Equipment Setup, Calibration and Pre-Use Checks
• 11.0 Safe Herbicide Application Procedure (Ground and Spot Spraying)
• 12.0 Controls for Weather Conditions, Spray Drift and Sensitive Areas
• 13.0 Hygiene, Decontamination and Personal Clean-Up
• 14.0 Spill Management, First Aid and Emergency Procedures
• 15.0 Waste Management, Container Rinsing and Disposal
• 16.0 Record-Keeping and Reporting Requirements
• 17.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Review of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 2210: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (applicable State or Territory)
• Relevant State/Territory Pesticides or Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals legislation (e.g. NSW Pesticides Act, QLD Chemical Usage legislation)