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Working with pesticides

Contents

  1. Purpose
  2. Hazard identification
  3. Registers
  4. Material safety data sheets
  5. Labels
  6. Risk and safety phrases
  7. Risk assessment
  8. Information and training
  9. Control
  10. Evacuation
  11. Health surveillance
  12. Organophosphate pesticides
  13. Pest control licensing
  14. Transport and storage of pesticides
  15. Industry organisation
  16. Appendix 1: Checklist of hazardous substances requirements
  17. Appendix 2: Chemical audit form
  18. Appendix 3: Example of hazardous substances register
  19. Appendix 4: Example of record of identification and risk rating for workplace hazards in the pesticide industry
  20. Appendix 5: Hazardous substances assessment record
  21. Appendix 6: Form for appointed medical practitioner 
  22. Further information

1. Purpose

Western Australia's occupational safety and health laws aim to make workplaces safer, eliminate fatalities and prevent worker injury and disease.

This document is for people working with pesticides and shows how to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and Part 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996.

A procedure to comply with hazardous substances requirements is shown in Appendix 1.

Hazardous substances are not restricted to pesticides and can include cleaning agents, solvents, degreasers, glues, and many other chemicals.

2. Hazard Identification

All hazards in the workplace must be identified (Regulation 3.1). This includes all hazardous substances used, stored, transported and handled in any way. A chemical audit, where you walk through the workplace and list all chemicals, is the best way to identify all chemical hazards. A chemical audit form is provided in Appendix 2. If you are not sure if a substance is hazardous, look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS), look for label words such as “toxic” or “poison” or ask the supplier.

3. Registers

All hazardous substances kept on the premises or used in the workplace must be named in a register (Regulation 5.13).

A register contains:

  • a list of all the hazardous substances used, stored, transported or handled;
  • material safety data sheets for all the hazardous substances; and
  • an indication of assessments for each hazardous substance.

An example of a register is shown in Appendix 3.

4. Material safety data sheets

Employers and self-employed persons must obtain current MSDSs for all hazardous substances used or stored in the workplace (Regulation 5.11).

MSDSs must be:

  • readily available to employees who may be exposed to the substances;
  • not more than 5 years old;
  • used in training; and
  • used for information about the substances for risk assessments.

Requirements for MSDSs are listed in The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets [NOHSC: 2011 (2003)]

5. Labels

All hazardous substances (such as pesticides, solvents, detergents and bleaches) must be labelled correctly (Regulation 5.12).

Pesticides have registered labels. If a label for a hazardous substance is not satisfactory the product should not be accepted or should be returned to the supplier.

It is an offence to permanently store registered pesticides in anything other than their original containers with their original labels (Regulation 15(2) of the Health (Pesticide) Regulations 1956).

A temporary container must be labelled with:

  • the product name;
  • the appropriate risk phrases; and 
  • the appropriate safety phrases.

Requirements for hazardous substance labels are listed in The National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances [NOHSC: 2012 (1994)]

6. Risk and safety phrases

Risk and safety phrases are ready-made descriptions of the health properties and safety requirements for hazardous substances.

Risk and safety phrases are assigned according to the hazardous ingredients. Phrases for specific substances are listed in the Hazardous Substances Information System on the Safe Work Australia website

Suppliers, importers and manufacturers should be able to provide phrases for their products.

7. Risk assessment

Employers and self-employed persons must assess the risk from using each hazardous substance and record the assessment in the register (Regulation 5.15).

All hazards must be assessed and recorded in the register (Regulation 5.16). Assessment reports must be available for inspection (Regulation 5.18). An example is shown in Appendix 4 and
Appendix 5.

How to assess risks is explained in The Guidance Note for the Assessment of Health Risks Arising from Hazardous Substances in the Workplace [NOHSC: 3017(1994)]  

8. Information and training

Employers must provide information and training to employees (Regulation 5.21).

Information and training must be provided on:

  • potential health risks and toxic effects;
  • control measures;
  • correct use of control methods;
  • correct care and use of personal protective equipment and clothing;
  • need for and details of health surveillance; and
  • MSDSs.

9. Control

Employers or self-employed persons must reduce exposure of employees or self-employed persons to hazardous substances (Regulation 5.20).

Firstly, prevent exposure by:

  • elimination of the hazardous substance;
  • replacement of the hazardous substance by a less hazardous one;
  • isolation of the hazardous substance by means such as closed and remote systems; and 
  • reorganising work to reduce exposure time.

Secondly, reduce exposure by:

  • engineering controls, such as blowers and extraction ventilation; and 
  • procedural or administrative controls, such as changing rosters.

As a last resort reduce exposure with personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing (see Appendix 4).

Combinations of the above controls may be used to reduce exposure as much as possible.

More information on personal protective equipment and clothing can be found in the
Code of Practice for First Aid, Workplace Amenities and Personal Protective Equipment.

10. Evacuation

Employers and self-employed persons must establish an evacuation procedure (Regulation 3.10).

The procedure should include:

  • a written procedure available in the workplace;
  • a safe place for everyone to go to;
  • warden/s; and
  • training for all employees and staff.

11. Health surveillance

Health surveillance should be provided (Regulation 5.23) as part of the risk assessment when the following substances are used:

  • organophosphates;
  • arsenic;
  • creosote;  and
  • pentachlorophenol.

Health surveillance may also be necessary for other hazardous substances where exposure causes a risk to health.

Health surveillance is monitoring a person to identify changes in the person's health status from exposure to a hazardous substance.

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 require employers to appoint a medical practitioner to supervise health surveillance of employees at the workplace. Medical practitioners providing health surveillance should meet at least four of the eight national health surveillance competencies. These competencies may be found at Safe Work Australia's website (select Health and Safety Topics, then Training, OSH Skills and Worker Licensing, then Competencies, then Competencies for Health Surveillance). The duties of the Appointed Medical Practitioner (AMP) (prescribed in Regulation 5.24) include:

  • keeping records of health surveillance results for 30 years;
  • notifying the person and explaining the results;
  • advising the employer of the outcome of health surveillance, on the need for remedial action, and of any notification to the WorkSafe Commissioner;
  • notifying the WorkSafe Commissioner of results consistent with exposure using the Health Surveillance Results (HSR) form shown in Appendix 6.

Planning and implementing health surveillance for any of the 16 hazardous substances listed in Schedule 5.3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996  should refer to the National Guidelines for Health Surveillance [NOHSC: 7039] available at Safe Work Australia's website. Obtain further information from the national standards and code of practice for hazardous substances.

Employers must provide health surveillance at workplaces where:

  • the health of a person is at risk of exposure to substances listed in Schedule 5.3;
  • the workplace risk assessment identifies likely exposure to a hazardous substance in situations where:
    1. a person is at risk of suffering an identifiable disease or health effect from the exposure; it is likely that such a disease or health effect may occur under work conditions a scientifically recognised technique can be used for detecting the disease or the health effect;
    2. the workplace risk assessment identifies a person as being exposed, or likely to have been exposed, to a hazardous substance in excess of its exposure standard.

12. Organophosphate pesticides

Organophosphate pesticides are widely used to control insect pests in the community and in agriculture in WA. Most organophosphate pesticides are moderately toxic and persons failing to follow safe work practices are at risk of absorbing significant quantities of pesticides through the skin or by inhalation. They may be exposed during decanting, mixing of pesticides, spraying or contamination from spillage, spray drift or pesticide residues.

Organophosphate pesticides depress serum plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase levels. Prevent poisoning by monitoring workers at risk, so those with depressed cholinesterase activity can be removed from further exposure before serious health effects occur.

Guidelines and information on health surveillance is available by contacting the WorkSafe Occupational Health Physician, telephone (08) 9327 8777, fax (08) 9321 8973, email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au

13. Pest control licensing

Pest control licensing is covered by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. Regulation 74 is for licensing and Regulation 63 for company registration. Pest control licensing is administered by the Pesticide Safety Branch, Health Department of WA, 1A Brockway Road, Mount Claremont WA 6010. Telephone (08) 9383 4244, Fax (08) 9383 1819.

Further information on pesticide management technician’s licenses and training courses is available from the website of the Environmental Health Directorate of the Department of Health, (use the search engine to search for [licences pest control]).

14. Transport and storage of pesticides

Transport of pesticides

Pesticides that are dangerous goods (DGs) must be transported in accordance with the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.

Dangerous goods transported in packages below the placard load quantities (ie. 1000 kilograms/litres for Packing Group II or III):

  • must have shipping documents carried in the cab;
  • must be labelled in accordance with the ADG Code;
  • must be safely stowed on the vehicle; and
  • must be transported by an appropriately instructed and trained operator.

DGs transported with placard load quantities greater than 1000 kilograms/litres for Packing Group II and III require, in addition to the above, placarding, fire extinguisher, portable warning signs, personal protective equipment, eyewash, emergency information/plan and public liability insurance.

Storage of pesticides

Pesticides that are dangerous goods must be stored in accordance with the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007, available from the State Law Publisher. Licensing is not normally required for storage of up to 10,000 litres or kilograms of total dangerous goods of Packing Group II or III. Total dangerous goods quantities of Packing Group II or II above 1,000 litres or kilograms require placarding. Storage at or below these levels should be in accordance with the "Minor Storage" section of Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2507-The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Pesticides stored in quantities requiring licensing need controls for:

  • storage location (separation and segregation);
  • bunding;
  • ventilation;
  • fire protection;
  • placarding;
  • emergency plan;
  • manifest;  
  • material safety data sheets (MSDSs); and 
  • staff training.

For further guidance refer to AS/NZS 4452-1997 on the storage and handling of toxic substances.

The Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and the Dangerous Goods (Transport) Act 1998 are administered by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, Resources Safety Division, 1st Floor, 303 Sevenoaks Street (Cnr Grose Avenue), Cannington WA 6107.

Guidance Notes explaining dangerous goods transport and storage are available from Resources Safety. Direct specific questions to the:

    • Resources Safety Transport Duty Inspector on (08) 9358 8002 or fax (08) 9358 8188; 
    • Resources Safety Storage Duty Inspector on (08) 9358 8001 or fax (08) 9358 8188

15. Industry organisation

The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) is an industry organization with a mission to set the pest management industry standard in harmony with community attitudes and environmental standards, to represent all professional pest managers who meet these standards and effectively to communicate these standards to government, consumers and the wider community in such a way as to enhance the image of members and to promote the interests of the professional pest management industry.  The AEPMA website includes guidance for safe use of pesticides, and a member Code of Ethics.

16. Appendix 1: Checklist of hazardous substances requirements

  • Have all chemicals been identified/listed?
  • Are all containers labelled? 
  •  Is there an MSDS for all hazardous substances?
  • Are all MSDS in the register?
  • Has the employer conducted all the risk assessments?
  • Are there notations in the register to indicate that the risk assessments have been completed?
  • Is the register readily available to all people who might be exposed?
  • Are the risk assessment reports available for inspection?
  • Have all people who are likely to be exposed to the hazardous substances received information and training?
  • Has the employer taken steps to reduce the risk of exposure to all people who might be exposed to the hazardous substances? For example:
    • Are dangerous goods stored and transported safely and securely?
    • Are procedures and materials available to handle spills?
    • Are fire prevention and extinguishing procedures and equipment in place?
    • Are engineering controls provided where required (having regard to the label, MSDS and risk assessment)?
    • Is appropriate personal protective equipment provided, maintained, kept clean and stored safely?
  • Are less hazardous chemicals chosen where practicable?
  • Is health surveillance conducted for organophosphates, arsenic, creosote, pentachlorophenol or other identified substances where health surveillance is practicable and useful?
  • Is there an evacuation procedure?

17. Appendix 2: Chemical audit form 

Download the Chemical audit form for hazardous substances [PDF 6kb].

18. Appendix 3: Example of hazardous substances register

Download an Example of a Hazardous substances register [PDF 6kb].

19. Appendix 4: Example of record of identification and risk rating for workplace hazards in the pesticide industry 

Company Name: Killem Pest Z Control

Information collected by: John Smith, Owner & Manager

Date: Friday, July 31, 2007

LOCATION TASK HAZARDS PEOPLE AFFECTED LIKELI-
HOOD		 CONSE-QUENCES RISK RATING
On Site Mixing chlorpyriphos Skin contact and ingestion-concentrate PMT* and Provisional PMT

A few times daily. Likely

 Cholinesterase inhibition. Minor injuries High risk
On Site Spraying dilute chlorpyriphos Skin contact, inhalation and ingestion PMT and Provisional PMT A few times daily. Likely Cholinesterase inhibition. Minor injuries Medium risk
On Site Spraying dilute chlorpyriphos Skin contact and inhalation Residents Rarely. Unlikely Cholinesterase inhibition. Minor  injuries Medium risk

This form covers all workers and customers who may be affected by pesticide work.

Please pay attention to young workers, children, young people, elderly people and pregnant women who are clients who may be more susceptable to health effects.

*PMT: Pest Management Technician

Footnote

RISK RATING

LIKELIHOOD

Consequences Very Likely Likely Unlikely Highly unlikely
Fatality High High High Medium
Major injuries High High Medium Medium
Minor injuries High Medium Medium Low
Negligible injuries Medium Medium Low Low


6 ways to reduce risk

    • Eliminate the hazard.
    • Substitution - use a safer alternativeI.
    • Isolation - separate the people from the hazard.
    • Engineering methods.
    • Administration - change work practices, reorganise the work.
    • Personal protection.

20. Appendix 5: Hazardous substances assessment record

21. Appendix 6: Form for appointed medical practitioner

22. Further information

Further guidance is available in the Guidelines for the safe use of pesticides in non-agricultural workplaces, which were developed by the Pest Management Industry and Government Sector Advisory Group (consisting of representatives from the pest management industry and state government licensing agencies). These guidelines may be found www.health.vic.gov.au when you search 'pesticides'.

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