Pesticide Application

Who are the courses designed for?

These courses are designed for those who have undertaken the Foundation module. (PA1 – Safe use of pesticides)

Applicator module titles available include:

• Ground Crop Sprayer – mounted or trailed (PA2)
• Broadcast Air Assisted Sprayer – mounted or trailed (PA3)
• Pesticide Granule Applicator (PA4g) + slug pellets (PA4s) combined course
• Hand-held Applicator – knapsack to land (PA6A)
• Hand-held Applicator – knapsack to or near water (PA6AW)
• Hand-held Pesticide Injection Equipment (PA6INJ)
• Fogging, Misting and Smokes (PA9)

Other units available on request.

Testing for the recognised Certificate of Competence will take place after the training.

Benefits

As a result of these courses, participants will be able to:

• Use pesticides safely, applied with appropriate application equipment.
• Operate equipment within legislation and codes of practice.
• Identify and select nozzles and carry out machine calibration.
• Clean equipment and dispose of unwanted pesticides and containers.
• Identify and rectify faults and recognise when spraying is inadvisable.

Course content

• Preparation of equipment
• Post operation maintenance
• Setting and testing application rate

Qualification

• This training leads to an industry recognised qualification from NPTC (City & Guilds) or Lantra.

Pesticide Application/Spraying

Pesticides what do we mean……?

People usually use the term “pesticides” to describe the spraying of any chemical over vegetation.  We must be clear on the difference between Pesticides and Herbicides.  Pesticides are chemical used to control insects, or ‘pests’ which can harm or destroy the vegetation we are trying to nurture.  Herbicides, on the other hand, are chemicals used to control plants or “weeds” that threaten the vegetation.

Modern plant protection products, also known as pesticides, help safeguard our food supply by protecting crops against yield losses caused by weeds, diseases and insects.

How are they applied?

Pesticides can be applied in a wide variety of ways including:

• Hydraulic boom sprayer
• Air-assisted sprayer
• Pedestrian or walk-over sprayer
• Knapsack sprayer
• Application from an aircraft
• Application from vehicles
• Ground-based reduced-volume spraying
• Fogs, mists and smokes in enclosed spaces
• Fumigants
• Dusts, granules, pellets and baits
• Dipping and drenching
• Seed treatments

Why is Training Important and necessary?

The aim is usually to target the pest or plant whilst minimising any effect on the environment and surrounding plants or animals.  This can occur through ‘spray drift’ (wind), crop run off (rain), seepage into soil, leaching into drainage and evaporation.

It is important to be able to select the product and method of application that is most efficient and lowest risk.

It is important also to understand how to dispose of pesticides and herbicides correctly.

Training on the use and application of pesticides and herbicides will help to keep you safe but also enable you to apply the chemicals efficiently and with minimum impact on the environment.

Why do I need a Pesticide Ticket?

It is compulsory for users to be properly trained and certified in the use of pesticides and the requirement is backed by law.

In the UK, anyone using a professional pesticide must either have a recognised specified certificate (previously known as a ‘Certificate of Competence’) or be working under the direct supervision, for the purposes of training, of someone who has such a certificate.

DEFRA Code of Practice states that everyone who uses pesticides professionally must be trained,  but also in some situations the law requires that users must have an appropriate certificate of competence. The type of certificate needed will depend on the product you are using and your individual circumstances.

What training do I need?

You must obtain the ‘Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (PA1)’ qualification regardless of whether you are required to by law or not.

From there you need to consider two things:

1. HOW are you planning to apply pesticides and herbicides and
2. WHERE you are planning to apply them.

If you are using Hand Held Applicators (knapsack) – you will require the Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (PA6) – this can include stem injection, pellets or granules or tree stumps as an extra requirement.

If you are going to be operating near water you will need to complete applying pesticides near water.

If you are using large scale or mechanical application methods you will require the Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides Using Self Propelled, Mounted or Trailed Horizontal Boom Sprayers (PA2A)

Do I need to refresh?

Apart from the legal requirements to obtain a certificate of competence there is no legal requirement to undertake refresher training, however, the Certificate of Competence training and the HSE Code of Practise for using Plant Protection Products emphasises the importance of continuing to develop your technical knowledge and practical skills in using pesticides.

You can register with the National Register of Sprayer Operators and collect points for CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

Most of our clients opt for refresher training every 3 – 5 years.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/resources/C/Code_of_Practice_for_using_Plant_Protection_Products_-_Section_2.pdf

Please feel free to call and discuss your training requirements if you are unsure of what you may require. At Vicky Anderson Training, we have the ability to tailor a training program to your specific needs, respecting the need for flexibility & competitive pricing.