Policy and Procedure
Weed Spraying
1. Introduction
1.1 The principal aim of this policy and procedure is to provide employees who are required to spray with additional guidance on how the council expects the spraying task to be undertaken. This procedure should be treated as an addition to your existing PA1 and PA6A land or PA6AW aquatic spraying training qualification.
2. Legislation and Safety Requirements
2.1 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 will be followed at all times and all statutory information on the product label will be complied with.
2.2 Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986. Anyone who uses these products must have received training and have the knowledge, skills and experience to perform the task.
2.3 The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products is available on the HSE website and will be followed. This is for all professional users of plant protection products in England in respect of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and the regulations controlling pesticides. The council will adopt best practice in spraying weeds following this guidance.
2.4 Generally only Katoun Gold with the addition of Chikara or New Wave weed killer will be sprayed. A glyphosate containing product will only be used for stem injection as part of the council’s Japanese Knotweed eradication programme and for the treatment of Mares tail. The council has discussed glyphosate at length and has approved its use for Japanese Knotweed eradication and mare’s tail treatment only.
2.5 Only those with a spraying qualification will spray. Those without qualification may spray only if closely supervised by a qualified individual.
2.6 A Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP) will be conducted prior to spraying and an Application Record will be completed during the process. These are undertaken in accordance with your spraying training and the records will be kept for three years.
2.7 Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn when handling the product and it will be stored in the Control of Substances Harmful to Health (COSHH) spraying locker.
3. Equipment List
3.1 Katoun Gold and Chikara, water, Berthoud Comfort Pro knapsack sprayer, Evenspray flat fan nozzle, measuring jugs. The minimum PPE to be worn is rubber boots, coveralls and nitrile gloves.
4. Spraying Procedure
4.1 Read, understand and sign the COSHH folder. Take the product container, equipment, paperwork and PPE to site.
4.2 A LERAP must be undertaken on site. If the conditions are not appropriate to spray, spraying will not be conducted.
4.3 Conduct dry checks of equipment. Using water, conduct wet checks of equipment. Calibrate for the individual (and surface) by 2x 50m water spraying in accordance with your training.
4.4 Display signage and don the minimum required PPE. Goggles and masks can be worn in addition, at the user’s discretion.
4.5 Mix the product and record the details on the application record. Rinse the mixing jug three times with water. Blue dye may be added to the mix at the sprayer’s discretion.
4.6 Spray the area. If there are any changes to the conditions, for example the wind increases, members of the public or animals approach or you notice drift of the product, stop spraying. Spraying will not be conducted above a wind of Force 4 (6mph), in excessive temperature (above 30֯C) or within one metre of water courses.
4.7 Wash up. The knapsack must be filled with water and sprayed over a waste area. This process is then repeated. Clothing can be washed normally. Replace the product in the COSHH cabinet.
4.8 The product needs at least six hours to dry. Signs can be removed after six hours, at a minimum.
4.9 If in any doubt, always follow the guidance you received in accordance with your training.
5. Dealing with Members of the Public
5.1 If members of the public enquire about the spraying activity you are undertaking, if necessary, contact a supervisor or manager.
Implementation date: 13 March 2024
Review date: March 2027
John Wright
Town Clerk
March 2024