This Chemical Mixing & Spray Application SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives your team a clear method for mixing herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers and applying them with knapsack, boom or motorised sprayers. It covers label and SDS checks, equipment and nozzle inspection, weather and spray drift, accurate measuring, backflow prevention, buffer zones, triple rinsing and rinsate disposal. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Farms and agricultural businesses
Horticulture, nurseries and vineyards
Pest control operators
Landscaping and grounds maintenance businesses
Council parks and weed control teams
Golf courses and turf management
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Skin or eye contact with concentrate while mixing
Breathing in vapours, dust or spray mist
Splashes and spills while measuring, pouring or filling the tank
Spray drift onto people, crops, waterways or neighbouring properties
Contamination of waterways, drains or groundwater
Fire or reactions from mixing incompatible chemicals
Manual handling injury from containers and spray equipment
Entanglement with moving parts of powered spray pumps
Slips on wet or contaminated surfaces around the mixing area
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from the product label and SDS to hoses, nozzles, operating pressure and wind conditions
A 14-step operating procedure covering accurate measuring, mixing order, backflow prevention, spray drift, buffer zones and application technique
Isolation and energy control for powered spray units, pumps and motorised backpack sprayers, including releasing trapped pressure
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for spills, splashes, spray drift incidents and suspected chemical exposure
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Agriculture & Farming SOP Bundle, Ultimate Gardening & Landscaping SOP Bundle and Ultimate Pest Control SOP Bundle. Each bundle is $197, which works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Which spray equipment does it cover?
It covers knapsack sprayers, boom sprayers and motorised spray units used for agricultural, horticultural or pest control chemicals.
Does it cover decanting and chemical storage?
No. Decanting concentrate into secondary containers and storing chemicals are covered by the Chemical Decanting, Labelling and Storage procedure. This SOP starts once a correctly labelled chemical is ready to mix and apply.
Does it use standard dilution rates?
No. Workers follow the rate, directions and restraints on the product label for every mix, and never use a generic or standard dilution rate.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
