Product Overview

Summary: This Pest Control Safe Operating Procedure sets out a safe, compliant and consistent approach to managing pests in Australian workplaces. It helps you control health risks, protect food and product integrity, and meet your WHS and environmental obligations when using pesticides and other control methods.

Uncontrolled pest activity can quickly become a serious WHS and business risk, particularly in food processing, hospitality, healthcare, warehousing and commercial property settings. Beyond the obvious hygiene issues, pests can spread disease, contaminate products, damage stock and infrastructure, and trigger regulatory non‑compliance. This Pest Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for planning, delivering and documenting pest control activities in line with Australian WHS, public health and environmental expectations.

The SOP covers the full lifecycle of pest management – from initial site inspection, risk assessment and selection of control methods, through to safe handling and application of pesticides, monitoring, recordkeeping and contractor management. It emphasises integrated pest management (IPM) principles, prioritising non‑chemical controls and only using chemicals where necessary, with strict controls on exposure, storage and disposal. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, protect workers, visitors and vulnerable occupants, and provide auditors and regulators with clear evidence that pest control is being managed systematically, safely and sustainably.

Key Benefits

• Ensure pest control activities are carried out safely, consistently and in compliance with Australian WHS and public health requirements.
• Reduce the risk of chemical exposure, food contamination and disease transmission for workers, customers and vulnerable building occupants.
• Demonstrate due diligence to auditors, clients and regulators through structured documentation and recordkeeping.
• Standardise the way in‑house staff and external pest control contractors are engaged, supervised and verified.
• Support integrated pest management (IPM) practices that minimise chemical use, protect the environment and reduce long‑term costs.

Who is this for?

• Pest Control Technicians
• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Food Safety and QA Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Property Managers
• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinators
• Hospitality and Accommodation Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and pesticides (inhalation, skin contact, ingestion)
• Allergic reactions and respiratory irritation from sprays, baits and fumigants
• Biological hazards from pests (bacteria, viruses and parasites carried by rodents, insects and birds)
• Cross‑contamination of food, patient care areas and sensitive environments
• Environmental contamination from incorrect chemical storage, mixing, application or disposal
• Slips, trips and falls while accessing roof spaces, plant rooms, external perimeters and confined or restricted areas
• Bites and stings from insects, spiders and other pests during inspection or treatment
• Manual handling strains from moving equipment, ladders, bait stations and chemical containers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Pest Control Activities
• 7.0 Selection and Approval of Pest Control Methods and Products
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Chemical Handling, Mixing, Labelling and Storage Procedures
• 10.0 Site Preparation and Communication with Occupants
• 11.0 Step‑by‑Step Pest Inspection and Monitoring Procedure
• 12.0 Step‑by‑Step Chemical and Non‑Chemical Treatment Procedure
• 13.0 Controls for Sensitive Areas (Food Handling, Healthcare, Childcare, Aged Care)
• 14.0 Contractor Management and Permit‑to‑Work Requirements
• 15.0 Spill Management, Decontamination and Waste Disposal
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures for Exposure, Spills and Adverse Reactions
• 17.0 Post‑Treatment Verification, Signage Removal and Area Re‑entry
• 18.0 Documentation, Records and Reporting Requirements
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Pest Control Program

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks
• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) requirements for pesticide use
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS 2444: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets – Selection and location (for flammable pesticides)
• Food Standards Code – Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements (where applicable)
• Relevant state and territory Public Health and Pest Management regulations