Pesticide Health Risk Assessments

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007, pest control operators are required to control the risk to health associated with the use of hazardous substances. While the Regulations do not explicitly require employers to perform a risk assessment, this duty is implied in the duty to control the risk. A risk to health cannot be effectively controlled without having done some sort of risk assessment.

Many pesticides are classified as hazardous. However, all pesticides are toxic and have the potential to adversely affect the health of the pest control operator, members of the public and the environment. Therefore, the department recommends that pest control operators conduct a pesticide health risk assessment for every pesticide that they use in the course of the business of a pest control operator regardless of whether they are classified as hazardous or not.

To assist pest control operators in conducting pesticide health risk assessments, the department, in conjunction with WorkSafe Victoria, conducted a Risk Assessment Roadshow during August and September 2005. These workshops, held at various locations throughout the State, were extremely well received by those in attendance.

A copy of the Risk Assessment Roadshow presentation, including slide notes, together with suggested pesticide health risk assessment and job site analysis checklist templates are now available for download below. These templates may be used as they are or adapted to suit your business requirements.