USING CHEMICALS SAFELY

This section of the site provides guidance on safety issues, links to other resources, information on reporting adverse experiences. See our Pool and Spa and Spray Drift pages for the safety aspects of these topical issues. For general queries read our frequently asked questions about health and safety issues.

Product labels

Each registered agricultural and veterinary products must have have an APVMA approved label. Product Labels provide instructions on how to use products safely and effectively.

Product labels must contain a range of specific information including safety directions; first aid instructions and directions for use. The product label must also indicate whether a product has specific handling requirements and restrictions on use.

First aid instructions, safety directions and warning statements for Ag and Vet product labels are compiled by the Office of Chemical Safety and published in the FAISD Handbook

Download product label advice booklet

Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDS) provide additional product safety information. Product suppliers are required to make these sheets available at the point of sale. If a sheet is not available, notify the product manufacturer and the state authority responsible for occupational health and safety.

There are also a number of online resources for msds

Pesticides in Schools

The APVMA has developed an advisory booklet Pest Management in Schools to provide guidance and information on the safe and effective use of pesticides in this environment. It is intended for managerial and teaching staff, students, parents, school councils, pest control operators, local government officers and the general public.

Download the booklet Pest Management in Schools - August 2008 (PDF - 584KB)

Adverse Experiences with chemical products

All Ag and Vet products registered in Australia are rigorously tested for safety, quality and efficacy. Use according to label directions that produces unintended or undesired effects, is considered an adverse experience. Report any adverse experiences to the APVMA for investigation.

Chemical safety training

In Australia training in the safe and effective use of chemicals is provided by various registered training organisations (RTO) in each State and Territory of Australia. These RTO’s offer a range of chemical training courses for agricultural, horticultural, nursery, local government, environmental and domestic situations. The common basis of these courses are the following units of competency:

Course	Code	Registered Training Organisations
Apply chemicals under supervision	RTC2706A	RTO's for this competency
Prepare and apply chemicals	RTC3704A	RTO's for this competency
Transport, handle and store chemicals	RTC3705A	RTO's for this competency

The National training Information Service has further information on National Recognised Training and industry training packages.

Safe disposal

DrumMUSTER is the national program for the collection and recycling of empty, cleaned, non returnable crop production and on-farm animal health chemical containers.

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