Are you qualified?
Recent farm assurance inspections have revealed several instances where operators have been found not to hold the correct qualification for the applicator. Here we provide a reminder of the modules required for machines that can be often overlooked.
Anybody using a professional pesticide must hold a PA 1 – Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Pesticides (Foundation Module) or equivalent Lantra Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides.
Before you can legally handle and apply any professional products, however, you must also hold the appropriate module for the use of the sprayer or applicator – for example PA2 or Lanta Level 2 Award, for self-propelled, trailed and mounted horizontal boom sprayers.
It’s important to check, however, you are fully qualified to operate all the applicators you use – they all require a specific certificate. With the assistance of City & Guilds, BASIS has compiled a comprehensive list of all the relevant qualifications.
You can download for the full list HERE
PA SC 233 – Specialist equipment
PA SC 233 – Pesticide applicators with nozzles not on a boom, but fitted on cultivators or planting equipment, for example for Amistar.
PA 2 C – Twin-fluid nozzles
PA 2 C – Twin-fluid nozzle systems – (air at low volume, high pressure) such as, for example, the Agrifac HighTechAir.
PA 2 E – Air Assisted boom sprayer
PA 2 E – Horizontal, sleeve boom sprayers (air at high volume, low pressure) – such as the Hardi Twin.
PA 2 F – Wick-type applicators
PA 2 F – Mounted or trailed weedwipers and brush type applicators.
PA 4 G – Granular applicators
PA 4 G – Granular applicators mounted on any machine, for applying products such as Avadex.
PA 4 S Pellet applicators
PA4 S – Pellet applicators – such as slug pellets. Note that while metaldehyde is now banned, the ferric-phosphate-based replacements are still classified as pesticides and are covered by the same qualification rules.
PA 6 – Pedestrian handheld
PA 6 is divided into several specialist categories, including for example PA 6AW. This permits operators to spray within a buffer zone, up to or near water and is useful for those controlling weeds on riverbanks, ditches or dykes.
PA 8 – Safe mixing and transfer
PA 8 – Safe mixing and transfer of pesticides, for example from a mix and fill bowser. These operators require not only a PA 1, but also this specific qualification.
PA 9 – Mists, fogs and smokes
PA 9 – Safe application of pesticide, mists, fogs and smokes. This is divided into four categories with PA 9D possibly the most commonly required for applying pesticide smokes indoors – usually in grain stores.
Users must register PPP
All users of plant protection products (PPPs) must register their storage and use on an HSE database.
What I need to register?
• Your name
• Your business address
• Information about the PPPs you use and/or store in a typical year.
How do I register?
You need to download and complete a spreadsheet, which is available with instructions on the Defra website HERE.
Email the completed spreadsheet to: GB-OCR-Notification@defra.gov.uk
To find out more about the level 2 award for each type of application or machine, visit LANTRA , City & Guilds, or contact your nearest training provider.
