This Fumigation Operations SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers fumigating stores, silos, chambers, containers and sheeted stacks with registered fumigants. It covers 26 activities, from the fumigation plan and placarding to gas clearance, residue handling and handover, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Licensed fumigators and pest control businesses
Export and biosecurity fumigation providers
Grain storage operators and bulk handlers
Commodity and container treatment contractors
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of pest control businesses use one as the written risk assessment for a task, the same way others use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
 
Use it to
Show clients, insurers and auditors how you manage the risks
Apply for tenders, contracts and supplier panels
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and train them in the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Fumigation plan, approvals, the two-person rule and fitness for work
Placarding, the exclusion zone and the final search before introducing fumigant
Storage and transport of fumigants, plus flammable and cylinder fumigants
Forklifts, container handlers and trucks in stores and terminals
Sealing the enclosure and isolating ignition sources
Work at height on silos, stacks and containers, and confined space entry
Gas detector calibration, alarm settings, and respirator selection and fit
Introducing the fumigant, the exposure period and security monitoring
Ventilation, clearance testing and re-entry
Deactivating spent metal phosphide residue
Occupied buildings, manual handling, heat and biological exposure
Securing an active fumigation overnight and emergency response to gas exposure or fire
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 26 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, including fumigant-specific gas detectors, breathing apparatus and explosion-protected fans
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 2476 for general fumigation and AS/NZS 2865 for confined spaces
Licensing for the fumigator in charge, and training in SCBA use, bump testing and exclusion zone security
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for fumigation?
Only when the work is high risk construction work, for example fumigating part of a building under construction where workers could be exposed to a contaminated or flammable atmosphere. Most commodity, silo and container fumigation isn't construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage risks like acute gas exposure and silo entry, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover phosphine residue?
Yes. It covers handling and deactivating spent metal phosphide residue to prevent a delayed gas release or fire, along with ventilation, clearance testing and re-entry.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, 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.