P-Training

The Safe Use of Pesticides
City & Guilds NPTC
Certificate of Competence

The Environmental Protection team within the Environment Department co-ordinate and organise the nationally recognised and formally accredited qualification for all professional product users: the National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) Certificate of Competence in The Safe Use of Pesticides.

This qualification is a legal requirement for anyone applying approved ’professional pesticides’ the interpretation of which under legislation means any substance, preparations or organism prepared or used for destroying any pest and includes insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

Assessment

- The assessment is in two parts and candidates must successfully complete the PA1 Foundation Module before they can take the second part PA2-13 application modules.
- Candidates need PA1 plus one application module to be awarded a Certificate of Competence.
- Module PA1 is the Foundation Module covering legislation through the approved Code of Practice. This is assessed by computer based multiple choice questions (GOLA).
- Modules PA2-13 are specific to the type of applicator being used (i.e. Tractor mounted sprayer PA2, Knapsack sprayer PA6). The assessment requires a practical demonstration of the candidate’s competence for the application module being taken. Underpinning knowledge and understanding will be assessed orally.

The Knowledge to be assessed:

- Legal requirement of using pesticides correctly and safely.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
- Procedures for storing, handling and mixing pesticides.
- Procedures for disposal of contaminated waste and surplus pesticides.
- Maintenance requirements of application equipment.
- Operator health and safety.
- Procedures to minimise environmental contamination and pollution.
The Skills to be assessed:

- Select and wear correct PPE.
- Calibrate equipment correctly.
- Interpret product information.
- Calculate and mix correct quantity of pesticides.
- Apply correct amount of pesticide safely.
- Assess prevailing weather conditions.
- Undertake operational adjustments as required.
- Dispose of surplus diluted pesticides correctly and safely.
- Clean out and store pesticides application equipment correctly and safely.
- Take action as appropriate to deal with contaminated PPE.

Units:

PA1 Foundation Module.
PA2 Ground Crop Sprayer - mounted or trailed.
PA3 Broadcast or variable geometry boom sprayer – mounted or trailed.
PA4 Pesticide granular application – mounted or trailed.
PA5 Boated mounted applicators.
PA6 Handheld applicator.
PA7 Aerial applicator – pilot.
PA8 Mixer loader.
PA9 Fogging, misting and smokes.
PA10 Batch dipping.
PA11 Seed treating equipment.
PA12 Application of pesticides to material as a continuous process via conveyor, roller
 tables and other moving equipment.
PA13 Sub-surface liquid applicator.

Candidates will be assessed ’competent’ or ’not yet competent’.
On completion of assessments the results will be forwarded to NPTC so that successful candidates can be awarded their Certificate of Competence and ID card to allow for the purchase and safe use of professional pesticide products.

Approved Centre

The Environment Department in Jersey is a recognised approved NPTC centre.
Presently, only PA1, PA2 and PA6 are facilitated ’in-house’.
Candidates wishing to complete other modules may be asked to provide specific equipment and training facilities or be advised (due to specialised/individual request) to attend a UK approved centre as this may prove more cost effective to the candidate.
 
All courses are run at cost recovery to meet the fees of UK trainers and assessors.

For further details please contact:

The Duty Inspector,
Environmental Protection. Tel: 873314.
Planning and Environment Department
Environment Division
Howard Davis Farm, La Route de la Trinite
Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5JP
Tel:  +4...
Fax: +44 (0)1534 441657