Workplace Health and Safety Pest Control

Here at Proactive Pest Solutions, a leading provider of pest control Noosa to Brisbane, we are committed to excellence in all areas of our service – from the delivery of pest control solutions that work, to unrivalled customer service and aftercare. We are also unreservedly committed to safety – the safety of you, your family, and your pets, as well as the safety of the local environment and our workers.

As Pest Management Technicians and a professional Pest Management Company, we are bound by specific legislation and regulations to ensure safe work practices.

The Pest Management Act 2001 and the Pest Management Regulation 2003 inform everything we do and these dictate the legal WH&S (work health and safety) requirements for every pest controller in Queensland.

Workplace Health & Safety – Pest Control

The majority of pesticides and other chemicals used in pest management are fundamentally hazardous and, when not used according to the strictest safety guidelines, can pose significant risks to human health, animal health, and the environment. The abovementioned legislation exists to protect the public and pest control technicians (as well as the environment) from several harmful effects associated with pest control practices, as well as from the consequences of ineffective pest control.

Some key aspects of the legislation, which our pest control technicians comply with to the letter, include:

1. Licensing – all persons undertaking pest management activities in Queensland must hold a Pest Management License unless they have been expressly granted an exemption. Licences are issued to individuals only and are not transferrable. Licensees must be at least 17 years old and hold relevant competencies (taken from Certificate III in Urban Pest Management), as well as meet an array of suitability criteria.
   
   Unlicensed pest management activity may incur hefty fines, as does claiming to be licensed if one is not. Queensland Health may impose conditions on a license if it deems it to be necessary.
   
   There are mutual recognition arrangements in place for holders of pest management licenses from other states.
   
   Licenses are issued separately for:
   
   • Fumigation – for specific site environments as listed on the license.
   • Pest control activity (excluding timber pests) – for common pests including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, rodents, silverfish, and lawn grubs, but NOT termites.
   • Pest control activity (including timber pests) – for the abovementioned pests including termites.
     
     Pest management licenses must be renewed before expiry, replaced if lost, stole, or damaged, and it may be varied upon approval.
     
     
2. Waste Disposal – waste disposal is governed by the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011. The regulation within the Act for Pest Management sets down requirements for safe disposal of unwanted pesticides and fumigants so it does not risk or endanger the life or safety of any person or animal, pollute a water supply or watercourse, adversely affect air quality, or contaminate the land. There are specific guidelines for the disposal of containers that have contained a fumigant or pesticide and for the disposal of contaminated rinse water.
   
   
3. Spills Management – pesticide spills and the leakage must be treated immediately according to the relevant safety data sheet and container label. If the spill threatens the environment or human health, the pest management technician must contact the local council and/or the EPA immediately.
   
   
4. Pest Control Advice – all pest management technicians must provide specific advice to the occupier/owner of the residence or other premises immediately before/after pest control activities. This allows them to manage exposure, take precautions, and keep family members, children, pets, and visitors safe. Information given in the advice must include:
   
   
   • Pest Management Technician’s name and business name (if self-employed)
   • Pest Management Technician’s employer name and company name (if employed by a business)
   • License number
   • Details of every pesticide used – market name, active constituents, and usage details for the premises
   • General information relating to recommended precautions before, during, and after treatment
   • Signature of technician and date service was delivered
     
     
5. Record-Keeping – pest control activities must be recorded in detail within 24 hours of their undertaking. These records must be responsibly kept for at least two years thereafter – and they must not include any certificate or record that is incomplete, misleading, or false. Each record must include:
   
   • Date of pest control activity
   • Address of premises
   • Description of premises type (single occupancy home, office, multifamily building, factory, shop, etc)
   • Contact details for the owner/occupier/agent
   • Name and license number of the pest control service technician
   • Name and strength of the pesticides used and their quantity
   • Rate of pesticide/fumigant application
   • Certificate of Record of termite treatment if applicable

There is also legislation covering various other aspects of pest control, including:

• Fumigation Activities
• Signage of Pest Management Vehicles
• Vehicle Storage and Security of Chemicals
• Chemical Storage, Containers, and Labelling
• Storage Area Access
• Notifiable Incidents
• Respiratory Protection
• Advertising
• Trainee Supervision
• Compliance & Enforcement
• Offences

Protect Your Home Safely with Proactive Pest Solutions

Choose Proactive Pest Solutions to protect your home and your family. As a leading Sunshine Coast pest control company, our proactive approach to protecting your home or commercial premises complies with all relevant legislation and WHS regulations. We take our role and responsibilities very seriously and our commitment to safety is unwavering.

Call Proactive Pest Solutions now on 1800 979 611 or email us at hello@proactivepestsolutions.com.au. You may also request a quote via our contact form.