Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides a structured, step-by-step approach to managing the risks associated with bird proofing netting and physical pest barrier installation, helping your team maintain WHS compliance on site. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Bird Proofing Netting and Physical Pest Barriers work, from planning and access to installation, clean-up, and interaction with pests.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation for bird proofing and pest barrier works, including site assessment and identification of pest activity
• Creation of physical barriers against pests to prevent access to roofs, eaves, gutters, plant rooms and building openings
• Dealing with vermin pests during guttering tasks, including safe handling, hygiene controls and waste disposal
• Disrupting pest habitats in and around building structures while minimising disturbance to workers and occupants
• Installation of bird proofing netting, spikes and other exclusion devices on roofs, ledges, awnings and structural steel
• Unblocking and sealing pest entry points around gutters, downpipes, vents, soffits and service penetrations
• Selection and safe use of hand tools, power tools, fixings and access equipment for bird proofing and barrier installation
• Working at heights controls when accessing roofs, elevated work platforms (EWPs), scaffolds and ladders for installation tasks
• Manual handling of rolls of netting, barrier materials, ladders and equipment to reduce the risk of sprains and strains
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, respiratory protection and eye protection when working around droppings and nesting material
• Management of biological hazards such as bird droppings, nesting materials and deceased vermin, including decontamination procedures
• Traffic and public protection when working on building perimeters, footpaths or shared access areas
• Environmental controls for waste, contaminated materials and minimising impact on non-target wildlife

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for pest control technicians, bird proofing and building maintenance contractors, roofing and guttering trades, and site supervisors responsible for managing bird and vermin exclusion works on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on safe and hygienic workplaces, including control of biological hazards
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with bird proofing and pest barrier activities
• Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for working at heights during roof and gutter access
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks when handling netting, barriers and access equipment
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Selection, use and maintenance of harnesses, lanyards and fall-arrest equipment for work at heights
• AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding: Safe use of scaffolding where used to access installation locations
• AS/NZS 1715 & AS/NZS 1716: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment when working around droppings and biological contaminants