Product Overview

Summary: This Predator Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, defensible framework for safely planning and conducting predator management activities on Australian worksites and rural properties. It supports compliance with WHS, animal welfare and environmental obligations while protecting workers, livestock, native fauna and the public during trapping, baiting, shooting or other control methods.

Predator control activities – whether targeting foxes, wild dogs, feral cats, pigs or other pest species – present a complex mix of safety, animal welfare and environmental risks. Workers may be exposed to firearms, poisons, remote field work, vehicle use on rough terrain, manual handling of traps and carcasses, zoonotic diseases and interaction with the public and neighbouring properties. At the same time, businesses must demonstrate that control programs are planned, humane, legally compliant and considerate of non‑target species and domestic animals. This Predator Control Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to planning, authorising and carrying out predator control in a way that is safe, ethical and aligned with Australian regulatory expectations.

The SOP sets out how to assess risks, select appropriate control methods, communicate with workers and neighbours, manage baits and traps, and respond to incidents or near misses. It clarifies responsibilities for landholders, supervisors, licensed shooters, contractors and field staff, and embeds WHS and animal welfare controls into everyday practice. By adopting this procedure, organisations can reduce injuries, avoid non‑compliance with firearms and pesticide laws, minimise conflict with the community, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation. It is particularly valuable for agricultural enterprises, councils, conservation groups and contractors who need a repeatable, auditable process for predator management across multiple sites or properties.

Key Benefits

• Ensure predator control activities are planned and executed in line with WHS, animal welfare and environmental requirements.
• Reduce the risk of injuries associated with firearms, poisons, vehicles, remote work and manual handling during control programs.
• Demonstrate due diligence and legal compliance to regulators, neighbours, funding bodies and certification schemes.
• Standardise predator control methods across properties, teams and contractors to improve effectiveness and record keeping.
• Support safe coordination with neighbours, community members and other land managers to minimise disputes and reputational damage.

Who is this for?

• Farm Managers
• Station Managers
• Rangers and Landcare Coordinators
• Pest and Predator Control Officers
• Biosecurity and NRM Officers
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Local Council Environmental Health Officers
• Wildlife and Conservation Program Coordinators
• Contract Musterers and Rural Contractors
• Operations Managers in Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Hazards Addressed

• Firearm discharge and handling risks during shooting operations
• Exposure to pesticides and toxins used in baits (e.g. 1080, PAPP and other vertebrate toxic agents)
• Vehicle rollovers and collisions when accessing remote or rough terrain
• Slips, trips and falls in uneven, low‑visibility or heavily vegetated areas
• Manual handling injuries when placing, checking and retrieving traps, baits and carcasses
• Zoonotic disease transmission from handling carcasses, body fluids or ectoparasites
• Heat stress, dehydration and environmental exposure during remote field work
• Bites, scratches and other injuries from captured or injured animals
• Psychological stress and fatigue associated with remote and after‑hours work
• Public safety risks where control activities occur near roads, public land or neighbouring dwellings
• Non‑target animal poisoning or injury, including working dogs and livestock

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives of Predator Control
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Predator Species
• 3.0 Legislative and Standards Framework (WHS, Firearms, Poisons, Animal Welfare, Biosecurity)
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Planning Predator Control Programs (Risk Assessment and Method Selection)
• 6.0 Communication and Consultation with Workers, Neighbours and Stakeholders
• 7.0 Safe Use of Firearms for Predator Control
• 8.0 Safe Handling, Storage, Transport and Deployment of Baits and Poisons
• 9.0 Safe Use, Placement and Monitoring of Traps and Other Devices
• 10.0 Remote and Isolated Work Procedures (Field Work, Lone Work and Fatigue Management)
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 12.0 Animal Welfare Considerations and Humane Dispatch
• 13.0 Environmental Protection and Non‑target Species Management
• 14.0 Incident, Near Miss and Exposure Reporting and Investigation
• 15.0 Waste, Carcass and Contaminated Material Management
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 17.0 Documentation, Record Keeping and Program Review
• 18.0 Emergency Response Procedures (Firearms, Poisoning, Injury and Lost Worker)
• 19.0 Continuous Improvement and Audit Checklist

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in each Australian state and territory)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Relevant state and territory Firearms Acts and Regulations
• Relevant state and territory Poisons and Pesticides legislation and Codes of Practice for the Use of Vertebrate Toxic Agents (e.g. 1080, PAPP)
• Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock (for incidental handling) and state‑based animal welfare legislation
• State and territory Biosecurity Acts and associated pest animal management guidelines