SWP-163.pdf

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Safe Work Procedure
Herbicides (SWP-163)
1. Scope/ description of job
Use of herbicides to control invasive weeds and vegetation etc. Note: Herbicides must be used in
accordance with their specific Safety data sheet (SDS).
2. Critical safety issues
Potential hazard/risk Control
Chronic or acute
poisoning from herbicide
❑ When selecting a herbicide use the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority approved products only and use the
least hazardous product available
❑ Familiarise yourself with the SDS before using
❑ Wear appropriate PPE
❑ Contain chemical safely
❑ Stand upwind while opening, pouring, mixing, decanting and applying
chemicals
❑ Rinse any skin or body that contacts the chemical
❑ Remove any clothing that contacts the chemical
❑ Refer to section 8.2 for further guidance
Overhead tree hazard ❑ Maintain awareness of overhead tree hazard.
❑ Avoid entering areas where hanging branches widow-makers are
present.
❑ Keep in contact with other crew in the field regarding present hazards
in the operational area.
Fatigue ❑ Maintain hydration.
❑ Make fellow crew aware of any issues.
❑ Rotate tasks and take regular rest breaks.
Slips, trips, falls, sprains
& strains
❑ Be aware of your surroundings.
❑ Identify a safe entry and exit pathway to reduce slips ad trips.
❑ Take regular rest breaks to reduce static posture and repetitive
movement.
❑ Have sure footing and posture to avoid manual handling issues
3. Materials, plant, equipment relevant to SWP
Herbicide and SDS Container to hold contaminated PPE and clothing
Eyewash kit First aid kit
Spill kit Traffic management signage
Washing facilities (handwashing, shower, rinsing water)
Hand pump or other contained transfer device e.g. Anabranch for decanting
4. Competencies and licenses relevant to SWP
Knowledge about the properties and dangers associated with the herbicide
Completion of departmental Safe storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods and
hazardous substances training as a minimum, completion of recognised Agvet chemical user course
(run by AusChem Victoria) covering preparation and application of chemicals to control pest, weeds
and diseases, and transportation and storage of chemicals recommended.

Safe Work Procedure
Unless stamped “CONTROLLED COPY” in RED, then when printed this document is uncontrolled.
Familiarity with the herbicide SDS First aid training
5. PPE
❑ Cotton overalls closed at the neck and wrist (disposable or laundered after each use)
❑ Elbow-length PVC, rubber or nitrile gloves
❑ Broad-brimmed washable hat
❑ Impervious footwear such rubber or PVC boots (avoid leather boots as they can absorb
chemicals)
❑ PVC or rubber apron, face shield and splash proof goggles (to be worn in addition to other PPE
when decanting, mixing and triple rinsing)
❑ Splash-proof goggles (to be worn during spraying)
❑ Respiratory protection as determined by the SDS and/or risk assessment (if required, use a
standard reusable cartridge respirator)
❑ Hi vis vest or jacket if working on roadside
❑ UV protection – sunscreen 50+
Note:
Several herbicides used by the department contain glyphosate. Respiratory protection is not generally
required when products containing glyphosate are used correctly however, use of a correctly-fitted
respirator is recommended when a heavy mist is present.
When roadside spraying over long distances where rubber or PVC boots are not practicable, consider
using disposable over boots to protect work shoes/boots.
6. Definitions
NA
7. Reference documents
Chemical management policy and associated guides
SWP-025 Fieldwork – Public Land
8. Requirements/ procedure
8.1 Preparation
1. Complete departmental Safe storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods and
hazardous substances training as a minimum (completion of recognised Agvet chemical
user course (run by AusChem Victoria) covering preparation and application of chemicals
to control pest, weeds and diseases, and transportation and storage of chemicals
recommended).
2. Check all required PPE is available and is in good condition.
3. Ensure a spill kit is available that includes:
❑ absorbent materials - paper towels, spill pads, spill socks (note: contain spill by use of
mineral earth if other options are not appropriate)
❑ polypropylene broom, dustpan and/or a square wide-mouth shovel to sweep up the
absorbent material
❑ disposal bags with tape or twist ties
❑ container for waste e.g. a plastic drum with a lid

Safe Work Procedure
❑ protective clothing (gloves, overalls, overshoes, safety goggles)
4. Before commencing any spraying activities:
❑ notify occupants, adjacent landholders and other relevant persons that may be
impacted
❑ ensure meteorological conditions are suitable for spraying, check weather forecast and
reschedule spraying if necessary
❑ carry rinsing water if spraying at a site where there is no water
8.2 General precautions when handling herbicides
1. Keep product out of reach of children and animals, and away from food or drinks.
2. ❑ Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling product.
❑ Stand upwind while opening, pouring, mixing, decanting and applying chemicals.
❑ Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
❑ Avoid skin and eye contact (wash with copious amounts of water and check the product
label if contact occurs).
❑ Avoid breathing in spray, vapours and mists.
❑ Avoid leftover prepared spray by effective calculations of the amount required and
accurate calibration of equipment (note: if there is herbicide left over it must be
correctly stored and labelled).
❑ Keep containers closed when not in use.
❑ Ensure to remove contaminated PPE and wash exposed skin prior to entering vehicles.
❑ Store and separate contaminated PPE from food, water and other clean clothing.
❑ Clean equipment thoroughly after use.
❑ Wash contaminated clothing after each use (wash separately to household laundry).
3. If the herbicide contacts a person’s eyes or skin consult the SDS and/or seek medical
treatment.
8.3 Decanting and mixing
1. Ensure decanting/mixing is carried out in a well-ventilated area, in a bund or on an
impermeable surface away from drains and other activities.
2. Prior to decanting/mixing ensure:
❑ relevant PPE is worn
❑ the relevant SDS is accessible
❑ eye wash and hand washing facilities are easily accessible
❑ a spill kit is readily available to contain any spills
3. When decanting, use a hand pump or other contained transfer device e.g. Anabranch.
4. Ensure the container the product has been transferred to is labelled to indicate the
contents.
5. Ensure caps on filled containers are replaced and fastened firmly.
6. Clean up any spillage using spill kit and dispose of waste safely.

Safe Work Procedure
8.4 Transportation
1. Arrange to have chemicals delivered by a supplier to workcentre depots if possible.
2. Where employees are required to pick up chemicals:
❑ do not accept damaged or leaking containers
❑ ensure load is secured to limit movement
❑ transport in a separate compartment
❑ do not leave loaded vehicle unlocked or unattended and protect from weather.
3. If transporting already opened chemical containers:
❑ keep in separate airtight compartment
❑ keep internal and external surfaces of vehicle, chemical containers and equipment free
of chemical contamination
❑ protect from weather and do not leave unattended
❑ do not transport damaged or leaking containers and ensure load is secure.
8.5 Spraying
1. Ensure all required protective clothing if worn before spraying commences.
Note: If spraying is to be done on two or more days, protective clothing should be washed
each day after spraying has finished.
2. Never spray in high winds. Check wind speed, strength and direction are appropriate to
ensure minimal spray drift is incurred.
3. Check temperature and moisture levels are correct for spraying.
4. Stop spraying if weather conditions deteriorate.
5. Avoid chemical run-off as far as practicable to ensure that adjacent properties, persons,
flora, fauna and waterways are not affected.
6. Where necessary, set up exclusion zones to prevent public access into sprayed areas.
7. Never use your mouth to blow or suck pipes or nozzles to clear them.
8. If using a backpack spray unit, ensure the backpack is tightened properly and holster gun
when not in use.
9. Map and record area sprayed. Note: It is compulsory to record chemical application within
48 hours of using an agricultural chemical produce and keep these records for a period of
two years. Record keeping templates are available from AgVic
10. At the end of every spraying operation all protective clothing should be thoroughly washed,
rinsed and allowed to dry in an airy environment. Protective clothing should be washed
separately to other clothing.
8.6 Spills
1. Notify the relevant manager or supervisor about the incident as soon as possible.
2. Conduct a dynamic risk assessment (consult the SDS and product label) and ensure the
area where the spill occurred is safe to enter before allowing anyone in.
3. Wear all required PPE.

Safe Work Procedure
4. Provided it is safe to do so, commence clean up.
5. Surround the spill with absorbent materials (use sand or earth to absorb large spills of
granular products).
6. Use polypropylene broom, dustpan and/or a square wide-mouth shovel to sweep up
contaminated absorbent materials. Place contaminated materials into a disposable bag,
tape or tie the bag and place into waste container.
7. Clean spill area with small amounts of water (minimise the use of water and prevent it from
entering drains and waterways). Note: If applicable, dig up any heavily contaminated soil
and place into containers.
8. Contact the Safety Duty Phone on 0408 007 062 if the spill is large or has entered a drain,
watercourse or contaminated soil or vegetation. The safety duty contact person will notify
relevant authorities (such as the Environmental Protection Authority) if required.
9. Dispose of contaminated materials (and any heavily contaminated protective clothing/
equipment) via the nominated waste disposal company. Ensure all tools and equipment
used during the clean-up are thoroughly cleaned/ decontaminated.
10. Restock the spill kit and return it to its designated location.
8.7 Triple rinsing and container disposal
1. Empty chemical containers must be rinsed and disposed of or recycled in the manner
suggested on the label or SDS. If manually rinsed, they should be triple rinsed. Disposal of
drums becomes a lesser environmental issue if they are rinsed correctly.
Note:
Drum Muster provides a recycling pathway for eligible empty agvet chemical containers
http://www.drummuster.org.au/
2. Wear all required PPE.
3. When the container has no more herbicide in it:
❑ Fill the container with water to approximately 20 – 25 per cent of its capacity.
❑ Replace the cap securely.
❑ Shake, rotate and roll the container and ensure the water rinses the entire inside.
❑ Remove the cap and add the rinsing water from the container to the spray tank. Drain
the contents for an extra 30 seconds after the flow has reduced to drops.
❑ Repeat the above steps twice more.
4. Check the container thread and inside and outside surfaces of cap, and hand wash or rinse
with hose if contaminated.
5. Allow the container to dry completely and replace the cap.
8.8 Washing and clean up
1. Wear relevant PPE.
2. Remove any residue on external surfaces of equipment and wash herbicide from the tank.
Note:
❑ Water may need to be carried if none is available at the site.
❑ Vehicles and equipment used to apply herbicides must be washed down at least 15

Safe Work Procedure
metres from a waterway.
❑ Vehicle-mounted equipment should be washed on a hardstand area.
❑ Washdown water must not flow or percolate into any waterway or high water table.
❑ Water used for hosing down equipment and machinery should be collected in a sump.
❑ Any herbicide washed from the tank should be reused or sprayed over the treated area.
3. Remove and thoroughly wash any contaminated protective clothing and equipment.
4. Wash or shower thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Wash contaminated clothing (wash separately to household laundry).
8.9 Herbicide storage
1. Separation distances, the isolation of spills and suitable emergency procedures are
important control measures even when small quantities of chemicals are stored.
❑ Store herbicide in a dedicated area away from sunlight, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated
area with spill controls.
❑ Store in the original container with the cap securely shut.
❑ Ensure decanted chemicals are appropriately labelled and stored.
❑ Store away from incompatible materials, other work activities, amenities and foodstuffs.
❑ Regularly check for leaks.
Revision History
Topic No SWP-163
Topic Name Herbicides
Owner Safety Manager
Last Review 07/2020 Review Period (Yrs) 3 Next Review 07/2023
Revision Ver | Date Amendment Detail
v1.0 – 14/07/2020 New SWP – Safety and Wellbeing Team
End of Topic
Unless stamped “CONTROLLED COPY” in RED, then when printed this document
is uncontrolled.
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the
publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all
liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this
publication.
© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning 2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit
http://creativecommons.org.licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en

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