Guides on pesticide use for industry and local government

Anyone using a pesticide has a responsibility to use the pesticide in a safe manner that ensures both their own safety and that of the public.

Pesticides can be very useful and effective in the control of pests but also have the potential to harm people and other living things if not used appropriately. Over time, familiarity can result in complacency and because there are risks associated with inappropriate pesticide-use it is very important to remain vigilant when using pesticides.

Learn more about the best practice control measures to ensure public safety. 

Signage and appropriate warnings are compulsory when spraying a pesticide in a public place. The type of signage and warning requirements will vary depending on where, when and how the pesticide treatment is being conducted.

Regulation 89 of the Health (Pesticide) Regulations 2011 (external site) sets out the 3 types of requirements that must be adhered to at all times. They can include a flashing light, warning sign on the pest control vehicle and a warning sign on the ground. All of these may be required in various combinations dependant on the situation.

The table below illustrates the pesticide treatment situations that may occur in a public place and the signage and warning requirements that must be complied with for each of the situations.

Signage requirement 1

• applies where verge spraying is occurring from a moving vehicle

A warning sign with words 'CAUTION:[INCLUDE NAME OF CHEMICAL BEING SPRAYED] in capital letters not less than 50mm in height and placed in a prominent position on the vehicle ensuring you also have a flashing yellow warning light.

Signage requirement 2

• applies in a park or part of park where spraying is occurring from a moving vehicle or accompanied by a moving vehicle and;
• applies in a park or when verge spraying from a stationary vehicle.

A warning sign with the words 'CAUTION:[ INCLUDE NAME OF CHEMICAL] being applied in capital letters not less than 50mm in height in a prominent position on the vehicle and ensure you also have a flashing yellow light.

In addition, you must have additional signage with the words 'CAUTION: [NAME OF CHEMICAL] BEING APPLIED'. AVOID CONTACT WITH AREA WHEN SIGN IS DISPLAYED' in capital letters not less than 50mm in height displayed. People must be provided with adequate warning that the application of a pesticide is occurring therefore the signs must be clearly visible to people approaching the spraying operation and placed at regular intervals from the spraying operation that ensures people have fair and adequate warning that the application is occurring. 

Signage requirement 3

• applies in all public places other than a park or verge

Warning signs with the words 'CAUTION:[NAME OF CHEMICAL ]BEING APPLIED. AVOID CONTACT WITH AREA WHEN SIGN IS DISPLAYED.' In capital letters not less than 50mm in height must be displayed in the area where the pesticide is being applied. You must space the signage at satisfactory intervals to ensure people have fair and adequate warning that the application of pesticides is occurring.

How long should signs remain in place?

The Guidance on the management of pesticides in local government pest control programs is written for local government officers that are responsible for managing pests in their jurisdiction and aims to guide the development of pest control programs that incorporate a pesticide management policy (using integrated pest management principles) and pesticide use notification plan.

Local governments in metropolitan and regional WA are responsible for controlling pests within their jurisdiction. Many consider the use of pesticides to be the most efficient and cost-effective option.

Those local governments that use pesticides face several challenges including the: 

• potential for pesticides to harm people’s health
• potential for pesticides to contaminate the environment
• public acceptance of pest control with pesticides
• communication of risks to the public
• high cost of implementing alternative efficient pest control methods.

A pest control program that adopts the framework above can promote:

• better management of the use of pesticides
• more effective use of contracted pest management technicians 
• an increased level of community awareness in and involvement with the program and;
• the adoption of a more consistent and considered approach to the management of pest control programs.

Glyphosate like other pesticides is considered safe to use when all instructions on the label are followed. 

Concerns about the safety of glyphosate have been broadly discussed and publicised in recent times. The APVMA have produced a fact sheet (external site) that discusses the use of glyphosate and addresses some of the broader health concerns associated with its use.

The Department of Health's position on glyphosate is that it is of low risk when used according to the label. The ruling of recent court proceedings in the USA does not constitute evidence that glyphosate is carcinogenic. The international agency for research on cancer classify glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. To put this into perspective, the consumption of red meat is also classified as probable carcinogen.

Use of glyphosate in local government pest control programs

Local governments can choose whether to use pesticides or not. This includes the use of glyphosate. The decision not to use glyphosate could be made based on community support. However, a safe alternative must then be provided.

Local governments in WA are responsible for the control of pests within their own jurisdictions. This includes the development and management of pest control programs. The Department of Health recommends local governments adopt integrated pest management principles in all pest control programs, including weed control programs. Non-chemical treatments are encouraged wherever possible although, it is also recognised that treatments such as slashing, burning and steaming may not be appropriate, feasible or financially sustainable for a local government.

When considering the use of any pesticide including glyphosate the Department of Health recommends local governments refer to A guide to the management of pesticides in local government pest control programs in Western Australia 765KB) for more information about meeting community expectations and developing an effective pest control program.

Requirements for local government using pesticides

Local government employees that undertake pest control on land managed or owned by a local government are exempt from being licenced and registered with the Department of Health but must have completed adequate training and education in the safe use of pesticides, relevant to the pest control they are undertaking. Many LGA’s choose to contract or employ licensed pest management technicians instead.

Except for licensing and registration, a local government is required to comply with all other requirements of the Health (Pesticide) Regulations 2011.  If a local government receives a direct complaint about their unsafe use of pesticides, they should in the first instance conduct a review of their pest control program.

This Code provides options for minimising creation of excess pesticides by permitting the reuse of excess pesticide mixture.

Inappropriate disposal of excess pesticide mixtures into the environment is not an acceptable practice.

Environmental contamination from excess pesticide mixture results from:

• diluted spray from spray equipment
• rinsates from pesticide containers
• rinsates from cleaning pest management vehicles
• materials used to decontaminate pesticide spillage or leakage.

Diluted pesticide rinsates and materials contaminated with pesticides are not permitted to be discharged into unlined sumps, storm water drains, sewerage systems and vehicle yards. Such action can increase public health risks and cause ecological harm.

Pesticide residues from excess undiluted pesticide and rinsates or materials contaminated with pesticides shall always be disposed of in accordance with the registered label and the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011.

The Code of Practice also encourages the development and adoption of new technology to reduce the production of excess pesticide mixture.

The Code of Practice encourages meeting standards or criteria rather than specified requirements. This should enable the pest management industry and others to develop new technology and systems to meet, and often exceed the standards of the Code.

This Code applies to:

• registered pest management businesses
• Government agencies
• licensed pest management technicians
• State and local government employees
• licensed water service providers

All suppliers and users of 1080, PAPP and strychnine products must adhere to the Code of practice for the safe use and management of registered pesticides containing 1080, PAPP and strychnine (PDF 517KB).

Breaches of the Code may result in:

• a formal warning
• a requirement to undertake further training
• cancellation of approval to supply or use 1080, PAPP or strychnine
• prosecution.

Increasing residential development in metropolitan areas previously occupied by agricultural producers, such as market gardeners, has resulted in land use conflicts from concerns regarding exposure to chemical spray drift.

The Guidelines for the separation of agricultural and residential land use explain the Department of Health’s minimum requirements for establishing buffer areas for the separation of commercial agricultural land from residential land use.

Advice is incorporated from Guidance for the assessment of environmental factors – separation distances between industrial and sensitive land uses (external site) (Environmental Protection Authority, 2005) along with current scientific knowledge and accepted national practice in this area.

These guidelines promote the establishment of effective buffer areas at the planning proposal stage of new residential subdivision and allow all parties concerned to understand the minimum expectations for buffer areas and alleviate impacts of chemical use.

The Guidelines for the safe use of pesticides in non-agricultural workplaces (PDF 550KB) provide practical guidance on the safe use of pesticides for the protection of human health, by assisting pesticide users to achieve a safe system of work and comply with relevant legislation.

Reporting health related complaints about a technician or business

All health related complaints or concerns about the unsafe use of pesticides can be reported to the Department of Health for investigation.

Email the following details to the pesticide safety team on pesticidesafety@health.wa.gov.au:

• Name of technician or business
• Technician licence or business registration number if available
• Location
• Time
• Date
• Photography evidence
• Summary of alleged incidence or complaint – be clear, write down details of who you spoke to and when, what you saw and any other witness information. Keep copies of emails, agreements, letters, invoices. Please do not use AI to write your complaint to us. Please use your own words.

Occasionally local government environmental health officers in regional areas may be asked to assist in an investigation.

How we use your information

We keep your details confidential and will never share your details without your consent. We may need to share certain details of your complaint with other agencies to coordinate and resolve issues. Your personal details will not be disclosed.

We cannot provide feedback on the progress or outcomes of investigations. If any further information is needed, we will contact you.

Reports about false business advertising

Pesticide industry licensing and registration

• Apply or renew a pest management technician licence or best management business registration

Code of Practice

• Code of Practice for Safe Use and Management of Registered Pesticides containing 1080, Strychnine and PAPP

Guidelines

• Restriction on products containing chlorpyrifos used in public spaces (PDF 100KB)
• Guidelines for the separation of agricultural and residential land use (PDF 496KB)
• Guide to the management of pesticides in local government pest control programs in Western Australia (PDF 547KB)
• Pesticide signage when spraying in a public place

National agencies

• Australian Environmental Pest Management Association (external site)
• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (external site)

If you are working in the pest management industry you can keep up to date with what is happening in WA by subscribing to the Environmental Health pesticide safety newsletter. Subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority newsletter found at the bottom of their webpage. Subscribe here.