Chemical Preparation and Application Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes how accredited workers plan, prepare, apply and record an agricultural chemical application using boom sprayers, hand-held equipment or the nursery spray unit.

1.Scope

This procedure applies to every herbicide, insecticide and fungicide application at any Greenfield site or client property. Veterinary treatments follow the Livestock Handling and Animal Health Treatment Procedure. Only workers with current chemical user accreditation will carry out this procedure unsupervised.

2.Step 1: Plan the job

Confirm the target pest, weed or disease and check that the product label lists the crop or site and the target. Read the safety data sheet. Check the weather forecast for wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and rain, and confirm the label conditions can be met. Identify sensitive areas nearby such as waterways, neighbouring crops, dwellings and beehives, and note buffer distances. Create the planned entry in the Chemical Use and Storage Register.

• Label lists the target and site
• Weather within label conditions
• Sensitive areas and buffers identified
• Withholding and re-entry periods noted

3.Step 2: Prepare equipment and personal protective equipment

Complete the pre-start check on the sprayer, tractor or hand-held unit, including tank, hoses, nozzles, filters and the calibration date. Put on the personal protective equipment specified on the label, which as a minimum is chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye protection and coveralls. Load the spill kit and clean water for decontamination.

4.Step 3: Measure and mix

Calculate the product quantity from the label rate, the calibrated output and the area to be treated, and have a second accredited worker check the calculation for any boom sprayer job. Half fill the tank with water, add the product using the measuring equipment and induction hopper, never by pouring from height, then top up with agitation running. Triple rinse empty containers and record them for the recycling program.

5.Step 4: Apply

Apply only when the wind is between 3 and 15 kilometres per hour and blowing away from sensitive areas, and stop if conditions change. Drive at the calibrated speed and pressure. Keep a record of start and finish times, wind speed and direction and temperature at intervals. Place re-entry signs at the treated area where the label or the site requires them.

6.Step 5: Clean up

Rinse the tank and lines at the designated wash-down area and apply rinsate to the treated area or contain it as the label directs. Never release rinsate to drains or waterways. Remove personal protective equipment in the correct order, wash hands and face and shower at the end of the day. Return unused product to the chemical store.

7.Step 6: Complete the record

Finalise the Chemical Use and Storage Register entry the same day with product, batch, rate, total quantity, area, location, weather readings, applicator name, start and finish times, withholding period end date and any observations. Enter any spill, exposure or drift complaint on the Incident and Hazard Report Form.

8.Records

Chemical records must be retained for at least two years and are audited monthly by the Irrigation and Plant Supervisor.