Product Overview

Summary: This Invasive Species Management SOP provides a structured, WHS‑aligned approach to identifying, controlling and monitoring invasive plants and animals across Australian workplaces and project sites. It protects workers, the environment and surrounding communities by standardising safe control methods, chemical handling, fieldwork practices and biosecurity hygiene measures.

Invasive species management in Australia is not just an environmental obligation; it is a critical WHS and biosecurity responsibility for organisations operating on land, near waterways, in construction zones and across public spaces. Uncontrolled weeds, feral animals, pest birds and aquatic pests can create physical hazards, spread disease, damage infrastructure and trigger regulatory action. This Invasive Species Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, defensible framework for planning and conducting control programs in a way that protects workers, contractors, visitors and the surrounding environment.

The SOP sets out a step‑by‑step process for risk assessment, selection of safe and suitable control methods, use of herbicides and pesticides, field hygiene practices, waste and carcass disposal, and communication with neighbours and regulators. It embeds WHS principles into everyday environmental work—linking invasive species control with hazard identification, PPE requirements, manual handling controls and emergency response. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS and biosecurity laws, minimise the risk of injuries and incidents during control activities, and avoid reputational damage or costly non‑compliance with environmental approvals and landholder agreements.

Designed for practical use in the field, this document supports consistent training across teams, whether they are managing weeds on a road corridor, controlling feral animals on a mining lease, or treating invasive aquatic species in a council reserve. It helps bridge the gap between high‑level environmental management plans and day‑to‑day site activities, giving supervisors and workers clear instructions they can follow with confidence.

Key Benefits

• Ensure invasive species control activities are carried out in line with Australian WHS and biosecurity obligations.
• Reduce the risk of worker injury during herbicide application, trapping, baiting, shooting and manual removal tasks.
• Standardise invasive species management practices across sites, contractors and project stages.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and landholders through documented, auditable procedures.
• Minimise environmental harm and off‑target impacts by defining safe, controlled methods for treatment, disposal and site hygiene.

Who is this for?

• Environmental Managers
• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Civil and Construction Project Managers
• Local Government Parks and Reserves Officers
• Bush Regeneration Team Leaders
• Landcare and NRM Coordinators
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Mining and Resources HSE Advisors
• Agricultural and Horticultural Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fumigants
• Bites, scratches and zoonotic disease transmission from feral animals, rodents and pest birds
• Slips, trips and falls in rough terrain, dense vegetation, riparian areas and wet conditions
• Heat stress, dehydration and sun exposure during outdoor fieldwork
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of equipment, traps, spray units and vegetation
• Vehicle and mobile plant incidents while accessing remote or uneven sites
• Needlestick and sharps injuries from syringes, needles or other contaminated waste in infested areas
• Noise and recoil hazards associated with firearms used for feral animal control (where applicable)
• Chemical spills and environmental contamination during mixing, loading, application and wash‑down
• Biological contamination and spread of invasive species via soil, seeds or plant fragments on vehicles, machinery, tools and PPE

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Invasive Species Programs
• 6.0 Identification and Prioritisation of Invasive Species
• 7.0 Selection of Control Methods (Chemical, Mechanical, Biological and Cultural)
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Field Safety Requirements
• 9.0 Safe Use, Mixing, Transport and Storage of Herbicides and Pesticides
• 10.0 Field Hygiene, Biosecurity and Decontamination Procedures
• 11.0 Operational Procedures for Weed Control
• 12.0 Operational Procedures for Feral Animal and Pest Control
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Use of Tools, Equipment and Vehicles
• 14.0 Waste, Carcass and Contaminated Material Management
• 15.0 Environmental Protection and Off‑Target Impact Controls
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, Near Misses and Non‑Compliance Management
• 17.0 Emergency Response (Chemical Exposure, Animal Attack, Spill, Firearm Incident)
• 18.0 Communication, Consultation and Neighbour Notifications
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 20.0 Monitoring, Recordkeeping and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Document Review and Revision History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) and relevant state and territory biosecurity legislation
• Safe Work Australia – Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – First aid in the workplace: 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/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Relevant state and territory pesticide and herbicide control legislation and guidelines