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Pesticide Safety Risk Assessment

Pesticide Safety Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Pesticide Safety Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Pesticide Safety through a structured, management-level Risk Assessment that focuses on governance, planning, and system controls rather than task-by-task procedures. This document supports compliance with the WHS Act, strengthens Due Diligence, and helps protect your organisation from operational and legal liability linked to pesticide use.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Policies and Legal Compliance: Assessment of organisational pesticide policies, roles, responsibilities, and alignment with legislative and licensing requirements.
  • Pesticide Selection, Procurement and Approval: Management of product selection criteria, supplier approval, label compliance, and pre-purchase risk evaluation processes.
  • Chemical Inventory & SDS Management: Controls for pesticide register accuracy, SDS currency and accessibility, and version control across multiple worksites.
  • Storage, Segregation and Security Systems: Assessment of pesticide storage facilities, segregation of incompatible substances, access control, and signage and labelling standards.
  • Transport, Loading and Off-Site Movement: Management of packaging, vehicle suitability, load restraint, documentation, and contractor controls for pesticide transport.
  • Mixing, Dilution and Application System Controls: Oversight of equipment selection, calibration, maintenance, and standardised procedures for safe pesticide preparation and application.
  • Worker Competency, Licensing and Training: Protocols for verifying qualifications, high-risk licensing where required, refresher training, and competency assessment for pesticide users and supervisors.
  • Health Risk Management and Exposure Monitoring: Assessment of acute and chronic health risks, exposure monitoring programs, health surveillance, and medical review triggers.
  • PPE Management Systems: Controls for PPE specification, procurement, fit, maintenance, replacement schedules, and training in correct use and limitations.
  • Environmental Protection and Off-Target Impacts: Management of drift, runoff, sensitive receptor protection, buffer zones, and controls to minimise impacts on waterways, flora and fauna.
  • Contractor and Groundskeeping Workforce Management: Systems for prequalification, induction, supervision, and performance monitoring of contractors and grounds staff applying pesticides.
  • Consultation, Communication and Information Sharing: Protocols for engaging workers, HSRs, and the community, including notification processes and communication of pesticide programs and risks.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Spill Response and First Aid: Planning for spill containment, decontamination, emergency equipment, first aid provisions, and coordination with emergency services.
  • Waste, Container Management and Disposal: Controls for triple-rinsing, container storage, collection programs, and compliant disposal of pesticide waste and residues.
  • Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement: Systems for inspections, incident reporting, corrective actions, performance indicators, and periodic review of pesticide safety management.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, General Managers, Safety Managers and Operations Leaders responsible for planning, approving and overseeing pesticide use across their organisation or worksites.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Policies and Legal Compliance for Pesticides
  • • Lack of an organisation-wide pesticide safety policy aligned with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulations and relevant APVMA requirements
  • • Failure to identify and comply with state and territory-specific pesticide control legislation, environmental protection laws and local council requirements
  • • No clear allocation of WHS duties and due diligence responsibilities for officers in relation to pesticide use
  • • Inadequate integration of pesticide risk management into the broader WHS management system
  • • Insufficient review of new or changed legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to pesticides, herbicides and dangerous goods
  • • Poor documentation and retention of records needed to demonstrate compliance and due diligence (e.g. training, health monitoring, maintenance, incident investigations)
2. Pesticide Selection, Procurement and Approval
  • • Selection of pesticides with unnecessary toxicity, volatility or environmental persistence when safer alternatives are available
  • • Procurement of unregistered, decanted or incorrectly labelled pesticides not approved by APVMA
  • • Purchasing pesticides without WHS or environmental review, leading to incompatible or unsuitable products on site
  • • Use of products that are not fit for purpose (e.g. agricultural formulations used in public gardens or near waterways)
  • • Inadequate assessment of signal headings (Danger, Warning, Caution) and hazard classifications (GHS) prior to purchase
  • • Failure to consider vulnerable persons and public exposure in selection (e.g. childcare centres, schools, aged-care facilities, public gardens)
  • • Lack of process to phase out high-risk pesticides or chemicals of security concern
3. Chemical Inventory Management and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Control
  • • Incomplete or inaccurate inventory of pesticides, herbicides and other hazardous chemicals on site
  • • Out-of-date or missing SDSs for pesticides and chemicals used for vegetation control and groundskeeping
  • • Lack of visibility of quantities and storage locations, hindering emergency response planning
  • • Inadequate tracking of decanted or premixed pesticide solutions, leading to unidentified containers
  • • Failure to identify chemicals that are incompatible, unstable or subject to additional regulatory controls
  • • Poor communication of inventory information to workers, contractors and emergency services
4. Pesticide Storage, Segregation and Security Systems
  • • Improper storage conditions (temperature, ventilation, segregation) causing chemical degradation, leaks or reactions
  • • Inadequate bunding and spill containment in pesticide stores, leading to environmental contamination
  • • Uncontrolled access to pesticide storage areas by untrained staff, children, visitors or unauthorised persons
  • • Storage of incompatible or reactive chemicals together (e.g. oxidisers with organics, herbicides with fertilisers)
  • • Insufficient security against theft or misuse of pesticides, including chemicals of security concern
  • • Poor housekeeping and clutter leading to leaks going unnoticed and obstructed access/egress
  • • Lack of signage and emergency information at storage areas
5. Pesticide Transport, Loading and Off-Site Movement Management
  • • Inadequate systems for safe transport of concentrated and mixed pesticides between depots, gardens and grounds
  • • Unsecured pesticide containers in vehicles leading to spills, leaks or projectiles in the event of a crash
  • • Lack of separation between pesticides and occupants in vehicles
  • • No documented procedures for transport of pesticides on public roads, including placarding where applicable
  • • Insufficient emergency response equipment and information in vehicles transporting pesticides
  • • Failure to consider weather, heat and spill risk in journey planning for pesticide transport
  • • Inadequate driver awareness of chemical hazards and emergency actions
6. Pesticide Mixing, Dilution and Application System Controls
  • • Inadequate procedures for calculating and preparing pesticide dilutions, leading to over- or under-dosing
  • • Reliance on informal practices or verbal instructions instead of written mixing and application guidance
  • • Lack of systems to prevent cross-contamination between mixing equipment, water supplies and other chemicals
  • • Insufficient control of spray drift, vapour movement and overspray to adjacent properties, gardens, waterways or public areas
  • • Use of inappropriate or poorly maintained mixing and application equipment (e.g. boom sprayers, backpack sprayers, wiper applicators)
  • • No standardised approach to safe set-up, calibration and verification of application equipment
  • • Failure to integrate weather, topography and vegetation considerations into application planning
7. Worker Competency, Licensing and Training for Pesticide Use
  • • Workers applying pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals without appropriate training, licensing or competency assessment
  • • Insufficient understanding of label directions, SDS information and legal obligations for pesticide use
  • • Lack of awareness of chronic health risks (e.g. respiratory sensitisation, carcinogenicity, reproductive impacts) associated with pesticides
  • • Inadequate supervision of new or inexperienced workers and contractors engaged in groundskeeping or vegetation control
  • • Failure to provide refresher training leading to skill fade and complacency
  • • No system to verify competency of external contractors engaged for pesticide application
8. Health Risk Management, Exposure Monitoring and Health Surveillance
  • • Chronic or acute health effects from repeated low-level pesticide exposure through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion
  • • Failure to identify workers at higher risk (e.g. pre-existing respiratory or skin conditions, pregnant workers, young workers)
  • • Lack of systems for monitoring exposure levels where pesticides present significant health risks
  • • Absence of health surveillance and medical review for workers regularly handling high-risk pesticides
  • • Late recognition of symptoms of pesticide poisoning due to inadequate education and reporting mechanisms
  • • No linkage between incident/near-miss data and health monitoring programs
9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management Systems
  • • Over-reliance on PPE instead of implementing higher-order controls in pesticide risk management
  • • Inadequate selection of PPE types and ratings for specific pesticide formulations and application methods
  • • Poor fit, maintenance and storage of PPE leading to reduced protection and cross-contamination
  • • Lack of systems for PPE issue, replacement, laundering and decontamination
  • • Workers not trained or supervised in correct PPE use, donning/doffing and limitations
  • • No documented process to verify PPE performance (e.g. respirator fit testing, compatibility with other equipment)
10. Environmental Protection and Off-Target Impact Management
  • • Spray drift, runoff or leaching of pesticides into waterways, drains, wetlands or neighbouring properties
  • • Uncontrolled impacts on non-target species including pollinators, native vegetation, pets and wildlife in gardens and grounds
  • • Inappropriate pesticide use in sensitive environments (e.g. schools, hospitals, playgrounds, conservation areas)
  • • Lack of planning for weather conditions and site characteristics that increase environmental risks
  • • Insufficient systems for notification and consultation with affected stakeholders (e.g. neighbours, local councils, community groups)
  • • Failure to manage pesticide residues on surfaces accessible to the public
11. Contractor and Groundskeeping Workforce Management
  • • Inconsistent safety standards between in-house staff and contractors performing pesticide work
  • • Inadequate prequalification and selection of contractors for pesticide application and vegetation control
  • • Poor communication of site-specific hazards, restrictions and community sensitivities to contractors working in gardens and grounds
  • • Lack of oversight of subcontractors engaged by primary contractors
  • • Inadequate systems for verifying that contractor work practices comply with WHS Act 2011 duties and organisational pesticide policies
  • • Fragmented incident reporting and learning between in-house teams and contractors
12. Community, Worker Consultation and Information Sharing
  • • Lack of consultation with workers and health and safety representatives regarding pesticide use and changes to procedures
  • • Poor communication with the public, neighbours, facility users and other stakeholders about pesticide programs in gardens and grounds
  • • Community anxiety or complaints due to perceived or actual pesticide risks
  • • Insufficient mechanisms for workers and the public to provide feedback, raise concerns or suggest improvements
  • • Failure to include vulnerable community groups in communication planning (e.g. schools, aged-care, disability services)
13. Emergency Preparedness, Spill Response and First Aid Systems
  • • Inadequate preparedness for spills, leaks, fires or acute exposure incidents involving pesticides
  • • Lack of standardised procedures for responding to pesticide spills in gardens, on vehicles, pathways or near drains and waterways
  • • Insufficient emergency equipment (spill kits, containment devices, decontamination facilities) or poorly maintained equipment
  • • Workers and supervisors not knowing how to access SDSs and emergency information promptly
  • • Unclear roles and responsibilities during pesticide-related emergencies, leading to delayed or inappropriate response
  • • Failure to review and learn from previous emergencies or near misses
14. Waste, Container Management and Disposal of Pesticides
  • • Improper disposal of leftover pesticides, wash-down water or contaminated soils leading to environmental contamination
  • • Inappropriate reuse or disposal of empty pesticide containers, causing residual exposure or misuse
  • • Lack of systems for triple-rinsing, puncturing and segregation of containers in accordance with product label and regulatory requirements
  • • Uncontrolled accumulation of outdated, banned or unlabelled pesticides in storage areas
  • • Failure to engage licensed waste contractors for regulated pesticide wastes
  • • Inadequate documentation of disposal methods and destinations
15. Monitoring, Audit, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
  • • Lack of systematic monitoring of pesticide safety performance, leading to unrecognised trends and recurring issues
  • • Inadequate WHS inspections and audits of pesticide systems, storage, equipment and documentation
  • • Under-reporting of incidents, near misses and health concerns related to pesticide exposure
  • • Failure to incorporate lessons learned from incidents, regulatory changes or industry best practice into systems
  • • Performance indicators focusing only on injury outcomes rather than leading indicators (training completion, inspections, compliance with procedures)

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Model Code of Practice – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Guidance on risk management, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals including pesticides.
  • Model Code of Practice – Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals: Requirements for SDS content and provision.
  • Model Code of Practice – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals: Labelling and identification standards for pesticide containers and decanted products.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines.
  • AS/NZS 2243.10: Safety in laboratories — Storage of chemicals (referenced for good practice in chemical storage and segregation principles).
  • AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
  • Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): Framework for classification, labelling and SDS content adopted in Australian WHS laws.
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) and relevant State/Territory environmental legislation: Environmental protection obligations relating to pesticide use and disposal.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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