Annex H Appendix 5 – Management of Pesticides

To LoughboroughUniversity Estates Services Health and Safety Policy

Management of Pesticides

  1. All pesticides that are stored or used must have suitable and sufficient COSHH assessment carried out. The results of the COSHH assessment will be recorded and no product shall be used without such an assessment.
  1. Consideration must be given to any alternative methods of pest control before considering the use of a pesticide as part of the Risk Assessment.
  1. Before any pesticides are used the pest problem should be accurately identified and discussed with the Supervisor or Manager.
  1. Only staff holding National Proficiency Tests Council Certificates of competence in the modules relevant to the method of application are permitted to handle or apply pesticides.
  1. Only pesticides with full M.A.F.F. approval may be stored and used and the pesticide must have a specific label recommending specific use for the identified pest.
  1. The individual Product Data Sheets will go some way to assisting with the required COSHH assessment but do not in themselves constitute a suitable and sufficient assessment. Such an assessment needs to consider the actual working conditions in which the product is being used.
  1. Any person handling or using a pesticide should be familiar with the relevant requirements of the following.

-The Control Of Pesticides Regulations 1986

-The C.O.S.H.H. Regulations 2000

-The code Of Practice For The Safe Use Of Pesticides On Farms And Holdings

-The Approved Code Of Practice For The Safe Use Of Pesticides For Non – Agricultural Purposes’

  1. (Clause repeated for remote storage) All pesticides must be stored in accordance with Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note G.S.19, ‘Storage of Approved Pesticides’.
  2. Before using a pesticide the operator must read the label fully and understand it, if in doubt the Supervisor or Head of Direct Labour should be consulted.
  1. Before any pesticide application is carried out the Health and Safety Office must be given twenty-four hours notice by filling in the notification forms. An example of the requisite form is given at Appendix 2. The following information is included: -
  • Area to be treated
  • Date and time of operation
  • Trade name and active ingredient of the pesticide
  • The application rate being used
  • The problem being treated with pesticide
  • The name and contact telephone number of the person applying the pesticide.
  • All pesticide applications must be authorised by the Head of Direct Labour or the Grounds and Gardens Supervisor.
  • Confirmation that a specific Risk Assessment exists for the particular task and that a COSHH assessment has been carried out.
  1. Upon completion of pesticide application the operator must fill in the record book.
  1. Before pesticide application commences’ check the weather conditions to ensure they are suitable for the operation to be carried out safely and effectively.
  1. Warning signs must be placed in clearly visible places if the area being treated is accessible to other people.
  1. Before handling any pesticide container the operator must wear a pair of protective gloves.
  1. Before handling any concentrated pesticide the operator must wear a suitable face shield, protective gloves and Wellington boots plus any other protective clothing recommended as part of the Risk Assessment or on the product label.
  1. Before fitting protective clothing it must be checked for damage, contamination and suitability for purpose. It must not be used if it is damaged, contaminated or unsuitable for the job. See also Annex N to Estates Services Core Policy ‘Personal Protective Equipment’.
  1. Before starting work the application equipment must be checked to ensure it is clean and in safe working order. It must be checked for filters, leaks, pressure setting, and nozzle type. Any faults on the equipment must be rectified before work commences. While checking the equipment the operator must wear protective gloves, coverall and Wellington boots. If the sprayer is contaminated a face shield should also be used.
  1. All pesticide application equipment must be calibrated before use to ensure that the product is being applied at the recommended rate. Once the equipment has been calibrated only enough pesticide must be prepared for the area to be treated.
  1. Pesticides must be mixed away from drains or water courses, If a spillage occurs it should be soaked up using sand or absorbable granules, swept up and placed in an impervious container, labeled indicating what the trade name and active ingredients are and locked away in the pesticide store. The Supervisor should then be notified and an incident (Accident) Form completed. The area that the spillage occurred should be washed thoroughly with clean water once the Supervisor has ensured that no residual chemical remains.
  1. Pesticide containers should be locked away in the store when not in use. If they are taken out on site they should be kept under lock and key on the vehicle or within eyesight of the operator at all times.
  1. When pesticide application takes place all members of the public, non-related staff, students and other contractors must be asked to leave the area to be treated. Where practicable, they should then be excluded from the area until the operation is completed. Warning signs should be placed to give the public the clearest notification of the hazard.
  1. Any splashes of concentrate or dilute pesticide that comes into contact with the skin or protective clothing must be washed off immediately with clean water.
  1. Care must be taken when pesticides are being applied to ensure that people, domestic animals, wildlife and watercourses are not endangered. Should circumstances arise during the application of pesticide which may cause a hazard (i.e. change in weather conditions) then the operation should stop immediately, if in doubt consult your line manager or Supervisor.
  1. Upon completion of the application operation any unused pesticide should be used up or disposed of in one of the methods given in ‘The Safe Use Of Pesticides On Farms And Holdings’ or as prescribed in the Risk Assessment.
  1. If a pesticide container is emptied during use it must be dealt with in the following way: -
  • Plastic, glass and metal containers should be washed out thoroughly with water into the spray tank during the mixing procedure.
  • The empty container should then be returned to the pesticide store.
  • Any wrappers or paper off foil packs, which have contained pesticide, should be placed in a polythene bag labeled to indicate which product and active ingredient had been contained in the packet, then returned to the pesticide store.
  • When an empty container or pack is returned to the store Supervisor should be notified as soon as possible. Empty containers or packs must not be disposed of in any other way.
  1. All equipment used for applying pesticide must be cleaned out after use in a method recommended by the manufacturer and the Risk Assessment. All washings from equipment cleaning must be disposed of by one of the methods included in “The Safe Use Of Pesticides On Farms And Holdings”.
  1. When all pesticides and equipment have been returned to store personal protective clothing must be washed thoroughly. All overalls, gloves, face shields and rubber boots must be washed in clean water. Gloves must be washed inside and out. Disposable protective clothing should be placed in a black polythene bag labeled, and locked away before notifying the Supervisor. Cleaned protective clothing must be suitably stored away from personal clothing and not inside the pesticide store.
  1. After cleaning down and before eating, drinking, smoking or going to the toilet; hands and face must be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water.

Pesticide Application Notification Form

The Responsible person making the decision to apply pesticides is to complete the following details. The original is to be sent to the Health and Safety Office, as prescribed in the Pesticide Application Policy. E-mailed applications are acceptable but confirmation of acceptance should be received prior to use.

(a)Location to be treated:………………………………………………………………..……

(b)Name of pesticide to be applied:…………………………………………….……...…….

(c)Method of application:…………………………………………………………...…………

(d)Proposed date and time of application:……………………………………………...…...

(e)Name of person of Company carrying out the work:…………………………………….

(f)Risk Assessment has been carried out: YES/NO

(If No then one must be carried out before work commences).

(g)Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Assessment has been

checked and read.YES/NO

(If not, then check for existence and read it now).

(f)Any other relevant details:………………………………………………………………….

Signed:………………………………………………………………..

Dated:…………………………………………………………………

1

June 2007