What this SWMS covers
Rodent control on construction sites addresses the significant health, safety, and operational risks posed by rat and mouse infestations that proliferate in disturbed building environments. This Safe Work Method Statement establishes comprehensive procedures for rodent population management through integrated approaches combining baiting programmes, trapping methods, habitat modification, and hygiene protocols. The procedures ensure effective rodent elimination while preventing disease transmission, environmental contamination, and worker exposure to hazardous control methods.\n\nConstruction sites provide ideal conditions for rodent proliferation through abundant food sources from waste materials, water accumulation in excavations, and shelter opportunities in debris piles, formwork, and temporary structures. Rats and mice cause extensive damage to electrical wiring, plumbing systems, insulation materials, and stored construction supplies. Their gnawing activity undermines building foundations, damages concrete reinforcements, and creates fire hazards through exposed electrical conductors.\n\nThe SWMS covers all aspects of professional rodent control including species identification, population assessment, bait station placement, trap positioning, monitoring procedures, and carcass disposal. Procedures address both preventative measures to discourage rodent habitation and reactive responses to established infestations. Environmental considerations ensure control methods minimize impact on native wildlife and prevent secondary poisoning through the food chain.\n\nDisease prevention forms a critical component of rodent control, with procedures addressing leptospirosis, hantavirus, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever transmission risks. Workers handling bait stations, traps, and contaminated materials require comprehensive protection against zoonotic diseases. The SWMS establishes strict hygiene protocols, personal protective equipment requirements, and decontamination procedures to prevent disease transmission between rodents and humans.\n\nChemical control methods using anticoagulant rodenticides require careful management to prevent accidental poisoning of workers, pets, and wildlife. The procedures implement secure bait station placement, tamper-resistant designs, and regular monitoring to ensure only target species access poisons. Environmental monitoring prevents chemical runoff and ensures compliance with waterway protection requirements.\n\nMechanical trapping methods provide non-chemical alternatives for sensitive areas including food preparation zones and environmentally sensitive locations. Trap placement follows rodent behavior patterns with regular monitoring and humane dispatch procedures. The SWMS addresses psychological impacts on workers involved in trap checking and carcass disposal, providing appropriate training and support mechanisms.\n\nDocumentation and monitoring requirements ensure treatment effectiveness tracking and regulatory compliance. Population monitoring through bait consumption and trap success rates guides treatment intensity adjustments. The procedures establish clear success criteria and follow-up protocols to prevent reinfestation once initial control is achieved.\n\nCompliance with this SWMS demonstrates due diligence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, where PCBUs must eliminate or minimize biological hazards including rodent-borne diseases. The procedures protect construction workers from preventable health risks while ensuring operational continuity through effective pest management.
Fully editable, audit-ready, and aligned to Australian WHS standards.
