Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Quality Area 2: Health and Safety

PURPOSE

The management of Yarram Early Learning Incorporated is committed to providing a

safe environment for the children in our care. This policy will provide guidelines for

the control of pests at Yarram Early Learning Incorporated using an Integrated Pest

Management Approach.

POLICY STATEMENT

VALUES

Yarram Early Learning Incorporated is committed to:

• Providing a safe and healthy environment for all children, educators, staff and

others attending the service

• Providing a clear set of guidelines in relation to the control of pests utilising an

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach

• Minimise exposure of children and staff to pesticides.

SCOPE

This policy applies to the Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Responsible

Person, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents/guardians,

children and others attending the programs and activities of Yarram Early Learning

Incorporated, including during offsite excursions and activities.

BACKGROUND AND LEGISLATION

BACKGROUND

We seek to prevent children from being exposed to pests and pesticides. Exposure to

pests (insects, cockroaches, rats, mice, etc.), pest residue, and the chemicals used

to control them can aggravate or cause health problems for children and staff.

Allergic reactions to pest residues and the absorption of chemicals used for pests

control often are more serious for children due to their smaller size and proximity to

the floor. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach minimizes the exposure

of children and staff to pesticides, and includes a variety of non-chemical and

chemical methods to prevent and eradicate pests. Whiles pesticides may be used

to remediate infestations of pests (such as insects, weeds, and rodents) that may be

found in the facility and its surrounding grounds, only the least toxic products will be

considered and combined with non-chemical methods.

LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS

Relevant legislation and standards include but are not limited to:

• Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) (Part 2: Principles for Children)

• Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010: Sections 167

• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011: Regulations 77, 103, 109,

137(1)(e), 168(2)(a), 245

Yarram Early Learning

Pest Control Policy

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

• National Quality Standard, Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety

− Standard 2.1: Health

− Standard 2.2: Safety

• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

• Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2017

DEFINITIONS

The terms defined in this section relate specifically to this policy. For commonly used

terms e.g. Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Regulatory Authority etc. refer

to the General Definitions section of this manual.

Integrated Pest Management: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a system of pest

control initially developed for use in agriculture as a means to reduce reliance on

pesticides while still managing pests. The principles of IPM have since been

successfully applied to the management of pests in urban and domestic

environments.

Exposure: Exposure means how the chemical can get in you and on you (inhaled,

ingested, and absorbed through the skin).

Pest: IPM makes us think about what a 'pest' is. Pests are after all, living organisms -

animals, plants or micro-organisms - that interfere with human uses of school or

childcare centre sites. In other words, pests are organisms that happen to be in the

wrong place at the wrong time, in numbers that can't be tolerated by humans for

economic, health or aesthetic reasons.

SOURCES AND RELATED POLICIES

SOURCES

• Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA):

www.acecqa.gov.au

• Pest Management in Schools – Austrapest:

https://austrapest.com.au/Resources/PageContent/Files/c3149bfd-1291-4969-

b943-94bea1abc7ac.pdf

• Hit Em Hard Pest Management Solutions: https://pmspestcontrol.com.au/

• IMP GUIDE: https://prod-hml.s3.amazonaws.com/resources/IPM_Guide_UCSF.pdf

SERVICE POLICIES

- Hygiene Policy

- Occupational Health and Safety Policy

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS

The Approved Provider is responsible for:

• Ensuring that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children at the

service from harm and hazards that are likely to cause injury (Section 167)

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

• Maintenance, remediation, and sanitation in a timely manner to prevent pest

access and harborage (water leaks repaired, holes or other access routes sealed,

proper food storage, clutter eliminated, etc.).

• Ensuring that regular pesticide use is NOT permitted and pesticides are not stored

at the facility.

• Ensuring staff do not bring pesticides into the centre including those intended

residential use

• Ensuring proper pesticide use and storage

− Regularly scheduled applications of pesticides are NOT permitted.

− Storage of pesticides in the facility is NOT permitted.

− Staff are prohibited from bringing pesticides into the facility (no residential or any

other pesticides allowed).

− Only certified pesticide applicators or registered technicians that have working

knowledge of IPM principles and practices may apply pesticides. Any pest

management professional hired to provide pest management or other services

must comply with this IPM program and notification policy and be

knowledgeable about IPM practices. Pest management professionals must

refrain from routine pesticide spraying, provide detailed service reports with

each visit and give recommendations for pest prevention.

− When necessary, use of least-hazardous pesticides may be considered after

nonchemical management practices have failed. Pesticides will not be applied

when children are present at the facility. Toys and other items mouthed or

handled by the children will be removed from the area before pesticides are

applied. Children may only return to the treated area after two hours of a

pesticide application or as specified on the pesticide label, whichever time is

greater. In the event of an emergency where pests pose an immediate health

threat to children and staff (e.g. wasps) and pesticides are applied, ensure that

children will not return to the treated area within two hours of a pesticide

application or as specified on the pesticide label, whichever time is greater.

• Ensure that non-chemical control options (combs, etc.) are used instead of

pesticide applications for the control of head lice.

• Notifying parents and staff of a pesticide application at the facility at least three

operational days in advance except in emergencies where pests pose an

immediate health threat to children or staff (bees). Parents and staff will be notified

as soon as possible when advance notice is not provided and include an

explanation of the emergency, the reason for the late notice and the name of

pesticide applied.

• Keeping a record of all pesticide applications and advance notices for at least 90

days.

The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for:

• ensuring that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children at the

service from harm and hazards that are likely to cause injury (National Law Section

167)

• delegating a person / position to be the Nominated IPM Coordinator.

The Nominated IPM Coordinator is responsible for:

• Liaising between the building occupants and pest management professionals

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Responsible Person and other educators are responsible for:

• Implementing appropriate Pest Control procedures when necessary

• Notifying the approved provider of maintenance, remediation, and sanitation

issues that may lead to a pest issue so that they may be remedied.

Parents/guardians are responsible for:

• Advising staff at the centre if they have concerns about pests or related issues.

VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS, WHILE AT THE SERVICE, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING

THIS POLICY AND ITS PROCEDURES.

Strategies and Practices

IMP Method

1) Prevention:

2) Inspect

3) Identify pests

4) Monitor for pests

5) Manage pest problems

(Refer to Attachment 1)

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

PRODUCTS CONSIDERED RISKIER TO CHILDREN

• Any pest control product that kids might accidentally breathe, eat, drink, or

get on their skin, such as;

o Aerosols, foggers, or “bug bombs” that contaminate air and leave

residues

o Concentrated liquids that must be mixed

o Liquid sprays, especially in bottles that can be opened by kids

o Coloured liquid sprays that look and/or smell like soft drinks or other food

products

o Mothballs and “pill” forms of baits that look like candy

o Rat and mouse baits in pellets

PRODUCTS CONSIDERED LESS RISKY TO CHILDREN

• Products difficult for children to get into or that are not very toxic, such as:

o Enclosed “child-resistant” traps or baits for roaches, ants, or mice

o Sticky traps for roaches or flies

o Roach and ant products containing boric acid or diatomaceous earth,

if used properly

o Products containing insect growth regulators (IGRs) like Methoprene,

hydroprene, or pyriproxyfen

POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE

• The Poisons Information Centre telephone number 131126 is displayed:

o next to every telephone in the service

o where dangerous products are stored.

DATA SHEETS

All pest control data sheets will be stored in the office in the pest control “hit

em’ hard” folder.

EVALUATION

In order to assess whether the values and purposes of the policy have been

achieved, the Responsible Person, Nominated Supervisor will:

• Monitor the implementation, compliance, complaints and incidents in relation to

this policy

• Review the Pest Control Policy and procedures following a Pest Infestation to

determine their effectiveness

• Regularly seek feedback from the nominated IPM Manager and everyone

affected by the policy regarding its effectiveness

• Keep the policy up to date with current legislation, research, policy and best

practice

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

• Revise the policy and procedures as part of the service’s policy review cycle, or as

required

• Notify parents/guardians at least 14 days before making any changes to this policy

or its procedures.

ATTACHMENTS

• Attachment 1: Integrated Pest Management for Schools and Childcare Centres

AUTHORISATION

This policy was adopted by Yarram Early Learning Incorporated in June 2020

REVIEW DATE: June 2022

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Snake

Snakes are a long limbless reptile. Some snakes have venomous bites. Snake bites can cause pain to the effected area, redness, swelling, tissue damage and blood clotting. (and more). If a snake is spotted staff must monitor its movement from a safe distance and immediately call the local council to have the snake safely removed.

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020

Yarram Early Learning Centre Policies and Procedures Manual Pest Control Policy Date created June 2020