As a young apprentice sprayhand at the Kyneton depot in 1970, using and mixing chemicals 245T and 24D was all part of the job for Mr Bamford.

"We had a 180 gallon cylindrical tank with all the oil-based esters, emulsifiers and wetting agencies inside," Mr Bamford said.

"I used to have to get in the tank about three quarters full of chemicals about 20 times a year.

"I'd strip down to my jocks and get in the vat of spray and have to tighten up the nuts and get the stirring paddle going."

An internal Deparmant of Environment and Primary Industries review is currently under way to investigate work practices of the former Lands Department which is expected to be completed within weeks.

The review was launched days after revelations made in The Courier about chemical exposure and lax safety precautions on the part of employees and management.

FULL COVERAGE:

Mr Bamford said while working for the department he lived by the attitude that the chemicals were "as safe as houses".

But this attitude shared by his workmates would have lifelong consequences.

"One time I was locked in a spray tank by a work mate. The tractor driver thought he'd be a smart arse and lock me in there for five minutes, nearly killed me and suffocated me from the fumes," he said.

After that incident, Mr Bamford said he suffered migraines for 40 years.

The 69-year-old grandfather said his wife had four miscarriages, which he believes was linked to his use of toxic chemicals.

In 1986, Mr Bamford went on sick leave for more than two years due to severe chronic fatigue.

Mr Bamford said the department forced him to retire due to ill health in 1990.

During that time he was hospitalised several times including a stint in the isolation ward for pneumonia where his family was told to "say goodbye".

"I used to get chronic fatigue and lumps in the back of my neck. I could be in bed for a month and the doctors said I was supposed to be dead by the time I was 50," Mr Bamford said.

"But I consider myself one of the lucky ones."

Mr Bamford said he would readily submit evidence to an independent inquiry into work practices of former Lands Department employees.

AN INTERNAL review into the former Lands Department could be complete within weeks, but a report is not expected for months.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries is working with the Victorian Workcover Authority to examine past work practices of employees in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The review was launched days after revelations made in The Courier about chemical exposure and lax safety precautions on the part of employees and management.

Since then, chemicals have been removed from shelves, the state opposition has pledged to conduct an independent inquiry, details of secret compensation has emerged and dozens of former spray hands have come forward to tell their stories.

In Ballarat earlier this month, opposition leader Daniel Andrews said there was “growing evidence” former government employees had been unwell due to their work.

This week Ballarat East MP Geoff Howard said an elected Labor government would look to launch the inquiry by March, while Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight said it needed to be done “ASAP”.

Environment Minister Ryan Smith told reporters in Ballarat last month that Labor’s offer of an independent inquiry was “populist” and simply aimed at winning votes.

Mr Smith confirmed on October 29 that the DEPI review was “two to three weeks away” from finishing.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au

jordan.oliver@fairfaxmedia.com.au