Product Overview

Summary: This Non-Chemical Control Methods SOP provides a clear, step-by-step framework for managing pests, weeds and other biological risks without relying on hazardous chemicals. It supports Australian businesses to reduce worker exposure to pesticides, protect the environment and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation.

Non-chemical control methods are at the heart of modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and sustainable land management practices in Australia. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured approach for identifying, planning and implementing physical, biological, cultural and mechanical controls to manage pests and weeds while minimising or eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals. It guides workers and supervisors through practical, field-ready techniques such as manual removal, trapping, exclusion, habitat modification, mulching, cultivation, biological controls and hygiene measures.

For Australian businesses, the shift away from routine chemical use is driven by both safety and compliance. Chemical pesticides and herbicides introduce significant WHS risks, including acute poisoning, respiratory harm, skin and eye injury, and long-term health concerns. They also carry environmental and reputational risks if misused. This SOP helps organisations put safer, non-chemical controls at the front of their decision-making, reserving chemical use as a last resort. It provides clear criteria for selecting appropriate methods, assessing residual risks and documenting control decisions, supporting compliance with WHS duty-of-care obligations and environmental stewardship goals.

By implementing this SOP, organisations create a consistent, defensible system for managing pests and weeds across farms, parks, gardens, campuses, facilities and public spaces. It improves worker safety by reducing exposure to hazardous substances, supports community expectations for low-chemical environments, and can reduce long-term costs associated with chemical purchasing, storage, licensing and incident management. The document is designed to integrate easily with existing WHS management systems and IPM plans, providing practical tools, checklists and templates that supervisors can deploy immediately.

Key Benefits

• Reduce worker exposure to hazardous agricultural and horticultural chemicals by prioritising non-chemical controls.
• Demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation through a documented, risk-based approach to pest and weed control.
• Support sustainable land and asset management by minimising chemical residues and off-target environmental impacts.
• Standardise non-chemical pest and weed management practices across multiple sites, teams and contractors.
• Improve community and stakeholder confidence by visibly reducing reliance on chemical sprays in public and sensitive areas.

Who is this for?

• Farm Managers
• Horticulture Supervisors
• Parks and Gardens Coordinators
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Local Government Operations Managers
• Environmental Health and Safety (WHS) Managers
• Viticulture and Orchard Managers
• Landcare and Natural Resource Management Coordinators
• Golf Course and Turf Managers
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Consultants

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous pesticides and herbicides (inhalation, skin contact, ingestion)
• Allergic reactions and sensitisation from repeated chemical use
• Chemical storage, handling and mixing risks (spills, splashes, vapours)
• Environmental contamination of soil, waterways and non-target species
• Drift of chemical sprays into public spaces or neighbouring properties
• Manual handling injuries associated with weed and pest control activities
• Slips, trips and falls during mechanical or manual control operations
• Noise and vibration from powered mechanical weed and pest control equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (IPM, non-chemical control types)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Risk Management Framework for Pest and Weed Control
• 6.0 Hierarchy of Control and Decision-Making for Non-Chemical Methods
• 7.0 Site Assessment and Pest/Weed Identification Procedures
• 8.0 Physical and Mechanical Control Methods (manual removal, cultivation, mowing, trapping, barriers)
• 9.0 Cultural and Environmental Control Methods (crop rotation, planting regimes, hygiene, habitat modification)
• 10.0 Biological Control Methods (beneficial organisms, habitat support, monitoring)
• 11.0 Use of Heat, Steam, Foam and Other Non-Chemical Technologies
• 12.0 Safe Work Practices and PPE for Non-Chemical Control Activities
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Considerations
• 14.0 Equipment Selection, Inspection and Maintenance
• 15.0 Environmental Protection Measures (soil, water, non-target species)
• 16.0 Communication, Signage and Public Safety in Work Areas
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Supervision Requirements
• 18.0 Monitoring, Inspection and Effectiveness Review of Control Methods
• 19.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
• 20.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response (injuries, environmental incidents)
• 21.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and related state and territory WHS legislation
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks in stevedoring (for port and biosecurity contexts, where relevant)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS 4360 (superseded, risk management – referenced for historical context where applicable) and ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• Relevant state and territory biosecurity and pesticide control legislation (e.g. Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth); state Pesticides Acts and Regulations)