Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, defensible method for safely conducting timber pest inspections in Australian workplaces and properties. It helps businesses manage health, structural and chemical risks while delivering consistent, high‑quality inspection outcomes that stand up to client, insurer and regulatory scrutiny.

Timber pest activity can compromise structural integrity, create unsafe workplaces and expose businesses to significant financial and legal risk. This Timber Pest Detection Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach for planning and carrying out inspections in line with Australian expectations and WHS duties. It covers everything from pre‑inspection planning and client communication through to on‑site hazard identification, inspection techniques, use of detection tools, documentation and follow‑up recommendations.

The SOP is designed specifically for Australian conditions, where termites, borers and fungal decay present serious and often hidden risks to both residential and commercial properties. It helps technicians and inspectors work safely in confined spaces, roof voids, subfloors and external environments while managing exposure to dusts, moulds, asbestos‑containing materials and other on‑site hazards. At the same time, it standardises how evidence is collected, recorded and reported, reducing variability between inspectors and supporting clear, defensible findings for owners, body corporates, insurers and regulators.

By implementing this SOP, pest management and inspection businesses can demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, improve the reliability of their timber pest assessments and reduce the likelihood of disputes, re‑visits and costly claims. It is an essential tool for any organisation that provides timber pest detection services or manages portfolios of buildings where early identification of timber pests is critical to safety, longevity and compliance.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, best‑practice method for timber pest inspections across all technicians and sites.
• Reduce WHS risks when accessing roof voids, subfloors, confined spaces and contaminated areas during inspections.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with Australian WHS duties and relevant Australian Standards.
• Improve the accuracy and defensibility of inspection findings, reducing complaints, disputes and insurance exposure.
• Streamline training and onboarding of new inspectors with a clear, step‑by‑step documented process.

Who is this for?

• Timber Pest Inspectors
• Building and Pest Inspectors
• Pest Management Technicians
• Facilities Managers
• Property and Asset Managers
• Strata Managers
• Construction Site Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Quality and Compliance Managers in Pest Control Businesses
• Residential and Commercial Property Services Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to dusts, moulds and fungal spores in roof voids, subfloors and wall cavities
• Exposure to potential asbestos‑containing materials during inspection activities
• Trips, slips and falls when accessing roofs, ladders, subfloors and external perimeters
• Confined space risks in tight subfloor areas and crawl spaces
• Heat stress and dehydration during inspections in hot roof voids or outdoor environments
• Bites and stings from insects, spiders, rodents and other animals encountered during inspections
• Manual handling injuries from moving access panels, ladders and inspection equipment
• Electrical hazards from exposed wiring or damaged electrical installations in inspection zones
• Structural instability and collapse risks in severely damaged or decayed timber elements
• Chemical exposure from existing pesticide residues, termiticides or other treatments on site

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Timber Pests and Inspection Types)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Required Tools, Instruments and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 6.0 Pre‑Inspection Planning and Client Communication
• 7.0 Site Access, Induction and General Safety Requirements
• 8.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Timber Pest Inspections
• 9.0 Safe Work Procedures for Roof Void, Subfloor and Confined Space Access
• 10.0 Timber Pest Detection Methods and Inspection Techniques
• 11.0 Use of Detection Technologies (Moisture Meters, Thermal Imaging, Probes, Borescopes)
• 12.0 Evidence Collection, Documentation and Photography Standards
• 13.0 Assessment, Classification and Recording of Timber Pest Activity and Damage
• 14.0 Reporting Requirements, Recommendations and Limitations Statements
• 15.0 Decontamination, Housekeeping and Post‑Inspection Site Handover
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
• 17.0 Training, Competency, Supervision and Refresher Requirements
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• AS 4349.3: Inspection of buildings – Timber pest inspections
• AS 3660.1: Termite management – New building work
• AS 3660.2: Termite management – In and around existing buildings and structures
• Model Work Health and Safety Act (as implemented in relevant Australian jurisdictions)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (as implemented in relevant Australian jurisdictions)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice (for awareness when suspect materials are encountered)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall‑arrest systems and devices (for roof access where applicable)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment