Think

Safety
Work
Safely
Live Safe

SAFE OPERATING
PROCEDURE

Agricultural/Horticultural
Chemical Use

DO NOT use equipment or undertake work procedure unless you

have been instructed in the correct and safe usage and
applicable procedures

APPLICABILITY

REFERENCE
POLICIES and
STANDARDS

THIS PROCEDURE APPLIES TO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE

UNDERTAKING WORKS FOR CITY OF DARWIN AND ARE
CLASSIFIED AS WORKERS UNDER THE WORK HEALTH
(NATIONAL UNIFORM LEGISLATION) ACT 2011
-

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

RISK MANAGEMENT
ISO 31000:2009

Application of agricultural and horticultural (Ag/Hort) chemicals will be in

accordance with the label directions and disease/weed problems.

PROCEDURE
OBJECTIVES

IDENTIFIED
HAZARDS

Staff are trained to ensure safe and compliant procurement, storage and
use of Ag/Hort chemicals.
Use of an Integrated Pest, Weed and Disease Management Approach,
utilising a number of management tools including monitoring, cultural
practices, targeted chemical applications, with consideration given to
each of the tools to achieve pest control objectives in a safe, efficient
and cost effective manner.
-

Incorrect application rates / methods

Exposure to Ag/Hort chemicals
Incorrect storage of Ag/Hort chemicals
Incorrect disposal of chemicals

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RESPONSIBILITI
ES

The purchase or use of any Agricultural/Horticultural chemical that is not

already listed on the existing inventory must have prior approval from
the Technical Officer - Parks, before purchase or use of the product. The
Parks Coordinator and OH&S Officer will be consulted during this
process.
Before a hazardous material is used staff will familiarise themselves with
the requirements for use according to the relevant product label and
material safety data sheet.
A Material Safety Data Sheet and product label will be supplied for all
chemicals prior to purchase, and will be placed in the MSDS folder in the
Chemical Storage Shed, and in the Master MSDS folder in the
Communications Officers Office.

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1. Chemical shed access

- Chemical shed keys are to be collected from the
Communications Officer at the Operations Centre
- Keys must be signed out/in
- The name and quantity of chemical removed from the store
must be recorded in the Chemical Store Key Folder.
2. Job Safety analysis (JSA)/Spray Log Sheet
- A JSA/spray log sheet is a requirement under the AgVet
Chemicals (control of use Act) and is to be conducted prior to
use of chemicals.
- Chemical JSA books are available from the Communications
Officer or the Technical Officer - Parks.
3. Warning Signage
- Warning/information signage is to be prominently displayed
when Agricultural/Horticultural chemicals are in use.
- A standard sign shall contain the following wording:
CAUTION - AGRICULTURAL/HORTICULTURAL CHEMICALS
IN USE

PROCEDURES

4. Procurement
- Ensure City of Darwin does not already have a supply of the
appropriate chemical for the task.
- Contact the Technical Officer Parks, to arrange a risk
assessment of any new Ag/Hort chemicals that potentially could
be added to the City of Darwin Chemical inventory.
- Risk assessments will determine the safest possible Ag/Hort
chemicals required to undertake the required task.
- Ag/Hort chemicals will not be purchased unless the risk
assessment is signed off by the Parks Supervisor or his
representative and the WH&S Officer.
- Ag/Hort chemical MSDS/Labels will be uploaded to CHEMWATCH
by the Technical Officer Parks prior to purchase.
5. Storage
- Ensure Ag/Hort chemicals are stored only in the original
undamaged container and that product labels are legible and in
good condition.
- Ag/Hort chemicals are only to be stored in the following
approved locations. The Bishop Street depot Chemical Store,
East Point Compound Chemical Store and the Bicentennial Park
Shed Chemical Store.
- Ensure Chemical Stores are clean and tidy at all times and that
PPE, Running water, first aid supplies, firefighting equipment
and spill control kits are present and well maintained.
- Ensure Product Labels and MSDS are present for each chemical
stored in each Chemical Store
- The Technical Officer Parks will keep an up to date inventory of
Chemical stores within the CHEMWATCH application

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6. Mixing
-

staff must wear appropriate PPE as described in the product

MSDS and product label directions.
Ensure a spill kit and appropriate first aid supplies are on hand.
Always mix chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
Mix chemicals at the specific label rate for the pest and situation
being targeted. This is a legal requirement under the AgVet
Chemicals (control of use Act)
When mixing two or more chemicals together check the MSDS
and label to ensure compatibility.
Always fill containers with water before adding chemicals to
minimize foaming.
Where possible mix chemicals in a bunded area capable of
containing any spills that occur.
Only mix as much chemical as you need for the job at hand.
Triple rinse all empty containers into the spray vessel.
Fill each container to 20% capacity, apply the lid securely and
shake the container to rinse.
Repeat three times.
DO NOT triple rinse empty containers onto the ground.
Store triple rinsed containers in the appropriate location in the
Bishop Street Chemical Store.

7. Application
- Ensure staff using Ag/Hort chemicals understand this SOP and
have read the product label and MSDS.
- Select Ag/Hort chemicals best suited to the characteristics of
the particular pest, weed or disease and application site.
- Carry out a Job Safety Analysis.
- Ensure staff have access to and use appropriate PPE as required
by the product label.
- Erect signage as above and take steps to isolate the site from
the public using aids such as plastic bollards and witches hats if
unprotected persons are likely to access worksites.
- Know the characteristics of the site eg soil type, locate nearby
water bodies.
- Apply the chemical strictly according to the product label. This is
a legal requirement under the AgVet Chemicals (control of use
Act)
- Ensure all equipment used during application is calibrated
according to the manufacturers instructions and in good
working order.
- Time application to minimise host plant damage and maximise
pest control
- Introduce biological controls where appropriate to reduce
pesticide usage.
- Do not apply Ag/Hort Chemicals during high temperatures or
windy conditions or immediately prior to heavy rainfall or
irrigation.

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8. Spill and leak management

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Ensure members of the public are kept away from spill site.
Contain spilt materials with sand and /or absorbent material
from a designated spill kit.
Ensure all staff are familiar with the MSDS and Label directions
for the chemical spilt.
Ensure appropriate materials are available to absorb / dilute
spilt chemical as per the label and MSDS directions.
Dispose of contaminated materials responsibly.
Phone Chem Clear on: 1800 008 182
Fill in an incident/hazard report form and forward to your Team
Leader.

9. Clean up
- If excess chemical remains in the spray vessel either:
a. Refill the container with water to the mark with water and
label the container with a copy of the manufacturers product
label if spraying is to continue the following day, or,
b. Find another location requiring treatment with the same
chemical and continue spraying until the mixture has been
used.
- Fill container to 10% capacity with clean water and flush
through the system. Place the spray nozzle back into the spray
tank to circulate diluted mixture.
- Clean all PPE and clothing as per MSDS and Label directions.
10.
-

Record Keeping
Ensure that your JSA Spray Diary sheet is handed in to your
Team Leader. This is a legal requirement under the AgVet
Chemicals (control of use Act), as is the requirement for City of
Darwin to maintain spray records for a period of four years from
date off application.

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