Product Overview

Summary: This Termite Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, WHS-aligned framework for planning and delivering termite inspections and treatments safely and consistently across Australian workplaces and sites. It helps pest management businesses, builders and facility managers control termite risks while protecting workers, occupants, the environment and the organisation’s legal obligations.

Termite management in Australia is not only a property protection issue – it is also a workplace health and safety concern involving hazardous chemicals, confined and awkward workspaces, and potential exposure to biological and environmental risks. This Termite Management Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, repeatable process for conducting termite inspections, installing and maintaining physical and chemical barriers, and applying treatments in a way that is safe for technicians, building occupants and the surrounding environment. It translates Australian WHS requirements and relevant standards into practical, on-the-ground instructions that can be followed by new and experienced technicians alike.

The SOP addresses the full lifecycle of termite management activities, from pre-job planning and risk assessment through to onsite communication, chemical handling, application techniques, post-treatment monitoring and recordkeeping. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence by documenting how hazards such as pesticide exposure, drilling and trenching, working in roof voids and subfloors, and interaction with other trades are identified and controlled. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the risk of incidents, improve the consistency and quality of termite treatments, and provide strong evidence of compliance during audits, client reviews or regulator inspections.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, compliant termite inspection and treatment practices across all sites and technicians.
• Reduce the risk of worker exposure to hazardous chemicals and unsafe work environments such as roof voids and subfloors.
• Demonstrate due diligence with documented, auditable procedures aligned to Australian WHS laws and relevant standards.
• Streamline training and onboarding for new pest management staff with a clear, step-by-step procedure.
• Minimise the likelihood of treatment failures, property damage and costly rework through structured planning and verification steps.

Who is this for?

• Pest Management Technicians
• Licensed Pest Controllers
• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Body Corporate and Strata Managers
• Property and Asset Managers
• Builders and Building Supervisors
• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and termiticides via inhalation, skin contact or ingestion
• Manual handling injuries from handling chemical containers, drilling equipment and trenching tools
• Slips, trips and falls when working in roof voids, subfloors, around foundations and external perimeters
• Heat stress and fatigue when working in confined or poorly ventilated roof spaces and subfloor areas
• Electric shock from contact with concealed electrical wiring during drilling or access to voids
• Biological hazards such as mould, dust, animal droppings and insects in roof voids and subfloors
• Noise exposure from powered drilling, cutting and pumping equipment
• Environmental contamination from spills, incorrect disposal or over-application of chemicals
• Vehicle and traffic risks when operating around residential complexes, commercial premises or construction sites

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Required Licences, Training and Authorisations
• 6.0 Tools, Equipment and Chemical Requirements
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Job Planning and Site Risk Assessment
• 9.0 Communication with Clients, Occupants and Other Trades
• 10.0 Accessing Roof Voids, Subfloors and Confined or Restricted Spaces
• 11.0 Termite Inspection Procedure – Internal and External Areas
• 12.0 Identification, Documentation and Reporting of Termite Activity
• 13.0 Selection of Termite Management System (Physical, Chemical, Baiting or Integrated)
• 14.0 Chemical Handling, Mixing, Labelling and Storage
• 15.0 Application Procedures for Chemical Barriers and Treatments
• 16.0 Installation and Inspection of Physical Termite Management Systems
• 17.0 Baiting and Monitoring System Installation and Servicing
• 18.0 Environmental Protection and Spill Management
• 19.0 Decontamination, Waste Management and Disposal of Chemical Containers
• 20.0 Post-Treatment Verification, Client Handover and Documentation
• 21.0 Health and Safety Controls and Safe Work Methods
• 22.0 Emergency Procedures for Exposure, Spills and Incidents
• 23.0 Incident Reporting, Non-Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 24.0 Recordkeeping, Retention and Audit Requirements
• 25.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• AS 3660.1: Termite management – New building work
• AS 3660.2: Termite management – In and around existing buildings and structures
• AS 3660.3: Termite management – Assessment criteria for termite management systems
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) 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
• Safe Work Australia – Confined spaces: Code of Practice (for subfloors and restricted access areas where applicable)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where work at heights is involved)