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Agrochemicals and Weed Control Risk Assessment

Agrochemicals and Weed Control Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Agrochemicals and Weed Control Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Agrochemicals and Weed Control at a management and systems level, ensuring robust planning, governance and oversight across your operations. This Risk Assessment supports WHS Act compliance, demonstrates executive Due Diligence and helps protect your business from enforcement action, claims and operational liability.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Legal Compliance & Consultation: Assessment of executive due diligence, officer obligations, consultation with workers and HSRs, and alignment of agrochemical activities with organisational WHS policies and legal duties.
  • Chemical Procurement, Approval & Inventory Management: Management of supplier selection, product approval processes, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) controls, stock rotation, banned/restricted chemical checks and inventory reconciliation systems.
  • Chemical Storage, Handling Infrastructure & Security: Evaluation of storage design, segregation, bunding, ventilation, decanting stations, signage, access control and security measures to prevent unauthorised use, leaks and loss.
  • Plant, Equipment & Propane Weed‑Flaming Systems: Assessment of selection, inspection and maintenance of spray units, mixing equipment, fuel‑powered plant and flame‑based weed control systems, including guarding, ignition controls and fire risk management.
  • Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management & Exposure Control: Systematic identification of health hazards, exposure pathways, substitution and dilution controls, engineering controls, and monitoring of airborne and dermal exposure to herbicides, pesticides and adjuvants.
  • Weed Control Methods & Task Planning: Planning of chemical and non‑chemical weed control methods, including manual weeding, spot‑spraying, boom‑spraying and mechanical methods, with focus on job design, scheduling and resourcing to minimise risk.
  • Management of Poisonous & Allergenic Plants: Protocols for identifying toxic, irritant and allergenic species, controlling contact risks, providing medical information and integrating plant hazard controls into site planning and work instructions.
  • Training, Competency & Supervision for Agrochemical Use: Assessment of licensing, competency verification, refresher training, supervision levels and authorisation processes for workers involved in chemical selection, mixing, application and disposal.
  • PPE, Hygiene Management & Worker Health Monitoring: Management of PPE selection, fit and maintenance, decontamination and wash‑down facilities, change areas, and health surveillance programs for workers regularly handling hazardous agrochemicals.
  • Environmental Conditions, Public Interface & Community Safety: Evaluation of weather‑related constraints, spray drift, run‑off, sensitive receptors, public access control, signage and communication with neighbours and the broader community.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Fire, Spills & First Aid: Planning for chemical spills, fire involving flammable liquids and propane systems, exposure incidents, emergency equipment selection, and integration with site emergency response procedures.
  • Health & Safety of Remote, Isolated and Seasonal Workers: Management of communication systems, lone worker procedures, transport arrangements, fatigue, accommodation and welfare arrangements for remote and seasonal agrochemical crews.
  • Contractor, Labour‑Hire & Supply Chain Management: Governance of contractor prequalification, labour‑hire onboarding, competency verification, interface risk management and expectations for suppliers providing chemicals, plant and services.
  • Documentation, Recordkeeping & Continuous Improvement: Systems for maintaining risk assessments, SDS registers, application records, training logs, incident investigations and review processes to support ongoing WHS risk management and audit readiness.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Farm Managers, Local Government and Grounds Maintenance Leaders, and Safety Managers responsible for planning, approving and overseeing agrochemical and weed control programs across their operations.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Legal Compliance & Consultation
  • • WHS duties under WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations not clearly understood by officers, PCBUs and workers
  • • Lack of a documented WHS management system for agrochemical and weed control activities
  • • No formal process to identify, review and apply relevant Codes of Practice, Australian Standards and Safe Work Australia guidance (e.g. managing risks of hazardous chemicals)
  • • Poor worker consultation on agrochemical and poisonous plant risks leading to unmanaged concerns or informal practices
  • • Absence of defined WHS responsibilities for managers, supervisors, contractors and labour‑hire workers involved in weed control
  • • Failure to monitor regulatory changes regarding pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and LPG/propane equipment
  • • Inadequate incident reporting, notifiable incident assessment and root‑cause investigation processes
  • • No clear governance for environmental and neighbour exposure impacts leading to potential breaches of environmental and public health legislation
2. Chemical Procurement, Approval & Inventory Management
  • • Uncontrolled purchasing of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides without WHS review
  • • Use of non‑approved, off‑label or decanted agrochemicals increasing health and environmental risk
  • • Lack of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or access to outdated SDS for hazardous substances
  • • Inadequate assessment of chemical hazards (e.g. carcinogenic, sensitising, corrosive, volatile) prior to purchase
  • • Excessive stock holdings increasing fire load, spill potential and expiry of products
  • • Improper storage segregation of incompatible chemicals (oxidisers, flammables, acids, alkalis)
  • • Unlabelled or poorly labelled containers including decanted fertilisers and herbicides
  • • No central register of all hazardous chemicals used for weed and fertiliser applications
3. Chemical Storage, Handling Infrastructure & Security
  • • Inadequate storage facilities for fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides leading to spills, contamination or fire
  • • Insufficient ventilation in chemical storage areas causing build‑up of toxic or flammable vapours
  • • Lack of compliant bunding and spill containment for liquid products
  • • Poor segregation of LPG/propane cylinders from oxidising fertilisers and other flammables
  • • Unauthorised access to chemicals by untrained staff, children, visitors or members of the public
  • • Inadequate storage of manual application tools (backpack sprayers, spreaders, propane weed flamers) leading to leaks or accidental release
  • • Exposure to corrosive or toxic products during manual handling in storage areas
  • • Improper stacking of fertiliser bags and containers causing crush or fall hazards
4. Plant, Equipment & Propane Weed‑Flaming Systems
  • • Use of non‑compliant or poorly maintained propane weed‑flaming equipment (hoses, regulators, burners, cylinders)
  • • Failure of gas connections or regulators leading to leaks, flashback or fire
  • • Inadequate engineering controls (e.g. flame arrestors, automatic shut‑off valves, guards) on flaming equipment
  • • Lack of systematic inspection, testing and maintenance of spreaders, backpack sprayers and gas‑fired weeders
  • • Use of inappropriate or non‑rated equipment in potentially flammable or dusty environments
  • • Poor management of ignition sources near stored or decanted flammable products
  • • Inadequate systems for tagging out or quarantining faulty equipment
  • • Insufficient training on safe use, transport and storage of LPG/propane cylinders and associated hardware
5. Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management & Exposure Control
  • • Acute and chronic health effects from exposure to herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion
  • • Lack of systematic chemical risk assessments for each product and task type (manual spreading, spraying, flaming in treated areas)
  • • Inadequate control of airborne mists, aerosols and dusts during mixing and application
  • • Failure to account for vulnerable workers (asthma, allergies, pregnancy) in exposure controls
  • • Cross‑contamination of eating areas, vehicles, tools and clothing with chemical residues
  • • Insufficient decontamination facilities for workers exposed to spills or splash incidents
  • • No system for monitoring occupational exposure to key active ingredients where required
  • • Poorly managed fertiliser dusts causing respiratory irritation or sensitisation
6. Weed Control Methods & Task Planning (Including Manual Weeding)
  • • Reliance on chemical‑intensive weed control without considering non‑chemical alternatives or integrated weed management
  • • Ad hoc selection of treatment methods for weeds and harmful plants (e.g. poison ivy‑like species) without formal risk comparison
  • • Unplanned manual weeding leading to prolonged awkward postures, repetitive movements and musculoskeletal disorders
  • • Use of propane flaming in unsuitable conditions (dry vegetation, wind, near combustible materials)
  • • Inconsistent assessment of site‑specific hazards such as slopes, traffic, water bodies and public access near treatment zones
  • • Inadequate coordination of chemical and mechanical methods, causing double handling and increased exposure time
  • • Poorly defined criteria for when manual application of fertilisers is permissible versus mechanised options
7. Management of Poisonous & Allergenic Plants
  • • Lack of identification of harmful plants (e.g. poison ivy‑like species, toxic ornamentals and noxious weeds) in work areas
  • • Inadequate worker awareness of dermal, respiratory and systemic health effects from poisonous plants and their sap, spores or thorns
  • • Uncontrolled manual handling of poisonous plants during weeding or pruning creating contact dermatitis, burns or allergic reactions
  • • Improper disposal of poisonous plant material leading to further exposure or environmental impacts
  • • No clear procedures for working around highly sensitising plants for workers with known allergies or asthma
  • • Secondary exposure from contaminated tools, gloves or clothing taken home or used for other tasks
8. Training, Competency & Supervision for Agrochemical Use
  • • Workers applying herbicides, fertilisers and using propane weed‑flaming equipment without adequate training or licensing
  • • Supervisors lacking competence to verify safe practices or challenge unsafe behaviours
  • • No formal assessment of competency for manual fertiliser spreading or weed treatment methods
  • • Overreliance on toolbox talks without structured training in chemical risk, plant toxicity and fire safety
  • • Lack of refresher training resulting in drift from procedures and normalisation of deviance
  • • Contractors assuming client systems cover training, leading to gaps in competencies for specific products or equipment
9. PPE, Hygiene Management & Worker Health Monitoring
  • • Inconsistent or unsuitable PPE use when handling fertilisers, herbicides, poisonous plants or propane equipment
  • • Inadequate systems for selection, issue, fit, cleaning and replacement of PPE
  • • Overreliance on PPE as the primary control measure instead of higher order controls
  • • Poor hygiene practices such as eating or smoking with contaminated hands or clothing
  • • No structured approach to health monitoring for workers at risk from specific chemicals or plant allergens
  • • Workers wearing contaminated boots or clothing into vehicles, offices and lunchrooms, causing secondary exposures
10. Environmental Conditions, Public Interface & Community Safety
  • • Application of fertilisers and herbicides in windy or adverse weather causing spray drift onto public areas, neighbouring properties or waterways
  • • Use of propane flaming near public access routes or flammable structures creating fire and burn risks to others
  • • Lack of signage and barriers around treatment areas resulting in public exposure, including children and pets
  • • Inadequate planning for work near schools, parks, footpaths and sensitive crops
  • • Run‑off or leaching of chemicals into drains, creeks or irrigation systems due to inappropriate timing or over‑application
  • • Complaints and reputational damage arising from odours, visible residues or perceived health risks
11. Emergency Preparedness, Fire, Spills & First Aid
  • • Lack of preparedness for chemical spills, gas leaks or fire arising from propane weed‑flaming or combustible fertilisers
  • • Inadequate spill kits, fire‑fighting equipment or first‑aid resources at storage and application sites
  • • Workers not trained to respond safely to exposures from poisonous plants, chemical splashes or inhalation incidents
  • • Insufficient planning for evacuation and communication in remote or dispersed work locations
  • • No formal interface with local emergency services regarding storage and use of hazardous agrochemicals and LPG
  • • Delayed or inappropriate medical treatment due to poor information on chemicals involved or plant species
12. Health & Safety of Remote, Isolated and Seasonal Workers
  • • Workers performing manual weeding, fertiliser spreading and herbicide application alone or in remote areas without effective communication systems
  • • Delayed response to incidents involving chemical exposure, plant‑related injuries or burns from propane weeders
  • • Seasonal or temporary workers with limited induction and understanding of local procedures
  • • Fatigue, heat stress and dehydration during outdoor manual tasks contributing to poor decision‑making and accidents
  • • Language or literacy barriers among seasonal workers affecting comprehension of labels, SDS and procedures
13. Contractor, Labour‑Hire & Supply Chain Management
  • • Inconsistent WHS standards between principal contractor, subcontractors and labour‑hire providers in relation to chemical and weed‑control work
  • • Assumption that other parties manage key risks such as training, PPE, plant maintenance and emergency response
  • • Insufficient pre‑qualification and monitoring of contractors using herbicides, fertilisers and propane weed‑flaming on behalf of the PCBU
  • • Poor communication of site‑specific hazards including poisonous plants, public interface and environmental sensitivities
  • • Lack of clarity on who controls and maintains shared plant, equipment and chemical inventories
14. Documentation, Recordkeeping & Continuous Improvement
  • • Inadequate documentation of policies, procedures, risk assessments and training for agrochemical and weed‑control activities
  • • Poor recordkeeping leading to inability to demonstrate compliance with WHS Act 2011 and associated regulations
  • • Failure to analyse incident, near‑miss and health data to identify systemic issues with chemical handling, plant use or weed‑control methods
  • • Outdated procedures that do not reflect current products, equipment or legislative requirements
  • • Loss of corporate knowledge when key personnel leave due to lack of documented processes

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from hazardous chemicals.
  • Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice: Requirements for SDS content and management.
  • Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice: Requirements for correct labelling of chemical containers and decanting systems.
  • Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on safe selection, use and maintenance of spraying equipment and associated plant.
  • First Aid in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid facilities, equipment and response relevant to chemical exposure.
  • AS/NZS 2243 series: Safety in laboratories – referenced for safe handling and storage principles applicable to hazardous chemicals.
  • AS 2507: The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
  • AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned