To use and store AgVet chemicals safely, business owners must follow the updated 2026 Code of Practice. You should identify all hazards through labels and safety data sheets. Proper containment systems and worker training prevent environmental contamination and health risks. These steps ensure your SME remains compliant with Australian and New Zealand laws.
Use and store AgVet chemicals safely by following the updated 2026 Code of Practice. Protect your people from chemical hazards today.
1. Orient Your Team to the 2026 Regulatory Landscape
The March 2026 Code of Practice provides the primary standard for chemical safety in Australian workplaces. It replaces the 2006 guidelines to better address modern agricultural challenges. This new framework serves as a central pillar of your safety management system.
Understanding the scope of regulated substances is the first step toward compliance. This includes pesticides, fertilisers, fuels, and veterinary cleaning agents.
Use FocusIMS System Management > System Overview module to host the new 2026 Code. This gives your entire team a clear reference point for regulatory changes. You can set the system to notify staff when you upload new versions of the standards.
2. Establish a Proactive Risk Management Framework
Business owners have a legal duty to eliminate or minimise risks associated with chemical handling. This responsibility is known as the PCBU duty. You must provide safe systems of work for everyone on your site.
Agriculture is a high-risk sector according to recent data. In 2024, the industry recorded 13.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This is the highest rate of any sector in Australia. Meeting your WHS compliance requirements is essential to reduce these numbers.
Use the hierarchy of control to manage risks ranked from most effective to least effective. You must try to remove the hazard first. If you cannot remove it, you must use other controls like isolation or engineering.
| Control Rank | Method | Example Action |
| Level 1 | Elimination | Stop using a toxic chemical entirely. |
| Level 2 | Substitution | Replace a dangerous poison with a safer alternative. |
| Level 2 | Engineering | Use mechanical pumps instead of manual pouring. |
| Level 3 | Administrative | Set strict work schedules and safety rules. |
| Level 3 | PPE | Wear gloves, masks, and protective suits. |
Use the FocusIMS Risk Management Module > Hazard Register to document site-specific chemical risks. This module allows you to assign control measures to specific team members. You can track whether these controls are working in real-time.
3. Audit Your Labels and Safety Data Sheets for Accuracy
Product labels provide immediate safety information and application rates for every user. You must never remove or deface a label on a chemical container. If a label becomes unreadable, you must replace it with a compliant one. Checking these labels helps you use and store AgVet chemicals in the correct way.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are documents that provide detailed information about a chemical. They include first aid measures and instructions for handling spills. You must review and update your SDS library at least every five years. This ensures the information matches the latest health research.
Upload current SDS files to the FocusIMS System Management Module > Document List. This makes the documents available to field staff through their mobile devices. You can set reminders to check for updated versions from the manufacturer.
4. Standardise Safe Handling and Use Procedures
Standard procedures ensure that every worker follows the same safety steps. Creating these rules reduces the chance of accidental spills or overexposure. You must teach your team how to use and store AgVet chemicals according to these standards.
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are documents that set out high-risk work steps. They describe the hazards and the exact ways to control them. Using an SWMS can reduce handling errors by up to 45% in small businesses.
Store your SWMS in the FocusIMS System Management Module > Document List. This allows workers to verify safety steps before they start a task. You can require staff to read and sign the document digitally to prove they understand it.
5. Implement Controls to Mitigate Spray Drift Risks
Spray drift happens when chemical droplets move through the air to an area you did not intend to hit. This can damage neighbouring crops or pollute local waterways. You must monitor wind speeds and temperatures before you start spraying.
Sensitive areas like schools or organic farms require extra protection. You should establish buffer zones to keep chemicals away from these boundaries.
Record weather conditions and spray parameters within site activity logs. You can use the FocusIMS Custom Project Area to track which fields were treated. This creates a history that protects you during legal or environmental audits.
6. Minimise Exposure During Chemical Preparation and Mixing
Mixing chemicals is a high-risk task because you are handling the substance in its most concentrated form. You should use closed-loading systems to transfer liquid chemicals. These systems prevent the substance from touching your skin or clothes.
Static electricity can ignite flammable chemical concentrates during the decanting process. You must earth your equipment to prevent sparks.
Use the FocusIMS Risk Management Module > Site Inspections to check the safety of mixing areas. You can create a checklist to ensure spill kits and earthing wires are in place. This module lets you capture photos of the setup for your records.
7. Control Risks During Chemical Application
Following APVMA labels ensures that you use the correct dose for the job. APVMA stands for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Using too much chemical increases health risks and costs your business more money. It is vital to use and store AgVet chemicals as the label instructs.
Re-entry intervals tell you how long you must wait before entering a treated area without PPE. Withholding periods describe the time needed between spraying and harvesting a crop. These limits prevent chemical residues from reaching consumers.
Use the FocusIMS Planning and Communication Module > Meetings to brief teams on application-specific safety. You can record the attendance and the specific re-entry times discussed. This ensures everyone knows which areas are off-limits.
8. Secure and Maintain Compliant Chemical Storage Areas
Storage sites must be secure to prevent theft or unauthorised access. You should use a lockable building with a leak-proof concrete floor. Proper ventilation prevents toxic vapours from building up inside the room. Good design is a key part of how you use and store AgVet chemicals safely.
Bunding is a raised wall or floor designed to catch leaks from containers. Your bund must be large enough to hold 110% of the volume of your largest chemical drum. This prevents a small leak from turning into a major ground spill.
| Storage Rule | Detail | Goal |
| Security | Lockable gates and doors | Stop children or thieves from entering. |
| Separation | Keep distance between types | Prevent fires or dangerous reactions. |
| Bunding | Sealed floor and walls | Contain leaks within the room. |
| Signs | Hazard placards visible | Inform fire crews about the risks. |
Register storage locations and spill kits in the FocusIMS Asset Management Module. This helps you track the maintenance of ventilation fans and door locks. You can schedule regular checks to ensure the area stays in good condition.
9. Update Placarding and Maintain Site Manifests
Placards are large signs that warn people about hazardous chemicals on your site. You must display them at every entrance to the workplace and the storage room. They use symbols and colours to show if a substance is poisonous, corrosive, or flammable.
A manifest is a list of the chemicals you have and where they are kept. You must keep this list in a red weatherproof box near the front gate. This helps emergency services act quickly if there is a fire or a spill.
Use the FocusIMS System Management Module > Index of Records to host a live digital manifest. This ensures your office staff always know what is in stock. You can update the list the second a new delivery arrives.
10. Ensure Safe Transport and Transit Procedures
Securing chemical containers in vehicles prevents them from falling or leaking during a trip. You must never carry chemicals in the cabin with passengers. According to 2025 data, 42% of worker fatalities in Australia involved a vehicle. Safe transport is a critical part of how you use and store AgVet chemicals.
Unsealed containers or leaking drums should never be put into a vehicle. You should carry a small spill kit and a fire extinguisher on any truck moving hazardous goods. This allows you to manage a problem before it gets worse.
Include vehicle chemical transport checklists in your Audit List. This ensures drivers check their loads before they leave the yard. You can track these audits to see which drivers follow the rules.
11. Develop and Test Emergency Response Plans
Emergency plans tell your staff what to do when something goes wrong. You should have clear steps for fire, poisoning, and large chemical spills. You must meet all notifiable incident requirements by reporting major accidents to the regulator. Reporting these events is a legal duty for every business.
Testing your plan with a drill ensures that everyone knows their role. You should check your eyewash stations and showers every month to make sure they work. Your people must be able to use and store AgVet chemicals without fear of a disaster.
Document emergency drills and actual incidents in the FocusIMS Risk Management Module > Incidents module. This module helps you find the cause of the problem. You can then change your procedures to prevent it from happening again.
12. Schedule Health Monitoring and Safety Training
Training records show that your workers have the skills to work safely. You must train every person who handles AgVet chemicals on your site. This includes teaching them how to read labels and use their protective gear.
Monitoring health and safety in the workplace involves a doctor checking for workers exposed to certain chemicals. It helps find signs of illness before they become serious. You must pay for these checks and keep the records for at least 30 years.
Track health surveillance dates and training certificates in FocusIMS Personnel Management > Employee List. The system will alert you when a worker needs a new medical check. You can also see which staff are qualified for specific chemical tasks.
13. Maintain Mandatory Registers and Documentation
A hazardous chemical register is a complete list of every substance you have on site. You must include the product name and a copy of the current SDS. This register must be available to every worker who might use and store AgVet chemicals.
Application logs record where and when you used a chemical. You should note the wind speed, the rate of use, and the name of the operator. Australian food residue surveys show that 90% of samples are compliant because of good record-keeping.
Use FocusIMS System Management > Index of Records to centralise your register and logs. This puts all your compliance data in one place. You can search the records if a regulator asks for proof of your work.
14. Manage Restricted and Schedule 7 Chemicals
Schedule 7 chemicals are highly toxic and require extra care. You must keep these substances in a locked area that only trained staff can enter. You often need a special license to buy or use these chemicals. Managing these high-risk items is a vital part of how you use and store AgVet chemicals.
Restricted chemicals have extra rules set by the APVMA. You must follow the instructions on the label to stay within the law. Failing to do so can lead to large fines for your business.
Filter your Hazard Register to highlight high-risk Schedule 7 substances. This allows you to set extra controls for these chemicals. You can also track the specific licenses of the workers allowed to handle them.
15. Execute Compliant Disposal and Environmental Management
Triple-rinsing empty containers reduces chemical residue by 99%. You should add the rinse water back into the spray tank so it is not wasted. Never pour chemical waste or rinse water down a drain or into a creek. Proper disposal is the final step when you use and store AgVet chemicals.
Authorised waste schemes like drumMUSTER help you get rid of empty drums safely. They recycle the plastic into new products instead of letting it sit in a landfill. You should keep the receipts from these services to prove you managed your waste correctly.
Record disposal receipts and environmental waste logs in FocusIMS System Management > Index of Records. This helps you track your impact on the environment. You can use this data to show your commitment to sustainable farming.
16. Conduct Internal Audits to Ensure Ongoing Compliance
Internal audits find gaps in your safety system before a regulator does. You should check your storage rooms and training records every six months. Using an ISO 45001 audit checklist ensures you cover all the important safety points.
Use the FocusIMS 4-step process and the Audit List to stay ready for audits. The system guides you through the setup and checking of your management system. This ensures you are always ready for a formal inspection.
How to Use FocusIMS to Manage AgVet Chemicals
FocusIMS provides the tools you need to use and store agriculture and veterinary chemicals safely. The platform organises your records and alerts you to upcoming tasks. It takes the stress out of compliance for small business owners in Australia and New Zealand.
By using this system, you protect your team and your business reputation. You can prove your compliance with the 2026 Code of Practice at the touch of a button.
Book a discovery meeting with FocusIMS today to see how we can streamline your safety management and prepare you for the 2026 Code of Practice.
Sources
- “Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994.” Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government, 2024.
- “Safe Use and Storage of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals: Code of Practice.” SafeWork NSW, March 2026.
- “Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025.” Safe Work Australia, October 2025.
- “Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers.” United Nations Environment Programme, 2022.
- “Natural Pesticides and Allelochemicals: Advances and Trends in Crop Protection.” CRC Press, 2025.
- “APVMA Learning and Development Framework.” Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, 2021.
