Here we look a little closer into what pesticide courses are and who needs to take them.
Pesticides are a mixture used to help control the affect pests such as insects and unwanted plants have on cultivated plants or animals. Legislation insists that anyone using pesticides in a commercial and business setting must hold the PA1 and PA6 certificates for safe use of pesticides.
Let’s look at the different courses.
PA1 is the foundation unit which offers an introduction to current legislation, correct selection of Personal Protective Equipment and how to safely store, transport and handle pesticides.
PA6a focusses on the operation of pedestrian hand-held applications fitted with hydraulic nozzles or rotary atomisers to apply pesticide to land. These are the ones used by hand which enables more accurate spraying of specific areas.
PA6aw operating Pedestrian Handheld Applicators fitted with Hydraulic Nozzles or Rotary Atomisers to Apply Pesticides to or Near Water. Taking this courses will enable the learner to gain the skills required to apply pesticides to or near water using various types of handheld applicators.
If you are required to apply pesticides in a commercial role in forestry, agriculture, horticulture or greenkeeping you are legally required by the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations (2012) to have this National Proficiency Test Council PA6a and PA6aw (Handheld Applicators) Certificate and It is obligatory that you have passed Unit PA1 before proceeding with these assessments
There is also the PA2 which is for those who are required to use self-propelled, mounted or horizontal boom sprayers as part of their daily role applying pesticides in a commercial environment. It is a legal requirement by the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations (2012) to take this qualification if you are applying pesticides in this way and it is obligatory that you have passed Unit PA1 before proceeding with assessment.
If you would like more information and to book onto a course see our website, click here call our experts on 0208 327 3800 or email info@keits.co.uk