Product Overview

Summary: This Seasonal Pest Management Strategies SOP sets out a clear, WHS-aligned framework for controlling pests across changing Australian seasons while protecting workers, customers and the environment. It helps businesses move from ad‑hoc spraying to a planned, risk-based approach that integrates health and safety, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.

Pest pressures in Australia change dramatically with the seasons – from rodents seeking shelter in winter, to flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches and stored product pests thriving in warmer months. Without a structured approach, organisations often rely on reactive call-outs and indiscriminate chemical use, increasing WHS risks, disrupting operations and exposing the business to regulatory scrutiny. This Seasonal Pest Management Strategies SOP provides a systematic, year‑round framework for identifying seasonal pest risks, selecting appropriate control methods, and coordinating safe treatment activities across your sites.

The procedure is designed to integrate pest management with your existing WHS and food safety systems, ensuring that chemical use, physical controls and contractor activities are all managed in line with Australian legislation and best practice. It covers seasonal risk assessment, safe use of pesticides, protection of workers and vulnerable persons, communication with staff and contractors, and documentation requirements to demonstrate due diligence to regulators and auditors. By implementing this SOP, your organisation can proactively manage pests while minimising health risks, preventing contamination, and maintaining a safe, hygienic and compliant workplace throughout the year.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a proactive, season-by-season approach to pest control that aligns with Australian WHS and public health expectations.
• Reduce worker and customer exposure to pests, allergens and vector-borne diseases through structured monitoring and control measures.
• Minimise health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use by standardising safe handling, application and storage practices.
• Streamline coordination between internal staff and external pest control contractors with clear roles, responsibilities and communication protocols.
• Demonstrate compliance to auditors, regulators and clients through consistent records, risk assessments and review processes.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Food Safety and Quality Managers
• Hotel and Accommodation Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers
• School and Childcare Centre Managers
• Pest Control Supervisors
• Property and Asset Managers
• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals used in pest control (inhalation, skin contact, ingestion)
• Allergic reactions and asthma triggered by pest droppings, dander and insect fragments
• Vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, rodents and other pests
• Biological contamination of food, surfaces and work areas by pests
• Slips, trips and falls from poorly placed traps, bait stations or application equipment
• Confined space and access hazards when inspecting roof spaces, basements or service cavities
• Manual handling injuries from moving equipment, ladders and chemical containers
• Environmental contamination from incorrect disposal of pesticides and pest carcasses

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Seasonal Pest Profiles
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Seasonal Pest Risk Assessment and Site Survey Process
• 5.0 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles
• 6.0 Seasonal Pest Management Plans (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)
• 7.0 Selection and Safe Use of Chemical and Non-chemical Controls
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Contractor Management and Site Access Controls
• 10.0 Communication, Signage and Notification to Workers and Occupants
• 11.0 Safe Work Methods for Inspection, Treatment and Monitoring
• 12.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Control Measures and Hierarchy of Control
• 13.0 Environmental Protection and Waste Disposal Procedures
• 14.0 Emergency Response, Spills and Exposure Management
• 15.0 Health Monitoring and First Aid Considerations
• 16.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Documentation
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 18.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) – Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements (for food businesses)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Local public health and pesticide control legislation and guidelines (state and territory specific)