Pesticide Assessments in Northern Ireland

Module PA1 FOUNDATION MODULE

Safe use of Pesticides, Environmental Factors and Legislation
The successful completion of this Module will be a condition of entry to any other Module in this schedule.

Objectives:
The candidate will be able to:

1) Identify those key aspects of legislation which apply to the use of pesticides.

2) Identify the precautions necessary to use a product safely, using product label information.

3) Identify, select and understand the maintenance and storage of the correct personal protective equipment for use with a particular product as determined by a label and/or COSHH risk assessment. Follow appropriate personal hygiene procedures to prevent personal contamination. Follow the appropriate procedures for dealing with accidental personal contamination.

4) Understand the correct procedures for the storage of pesticides.

5) Understand the correct procedures for the disposal of empty pesticide containers, surplus pesticide and washings.

6) Understand the records that must be kept.

7) Understand the situations where pesticide application may pose a risk to people or the environment.

Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) – credit value
PA1 has a credit value of 1 credit on the QCF.

Notes:
This module is assessed by computer based multiple choice questioning via GOLA (Global On-Line Assessment).
Candidates are required to complete all the test items.
Candidates may not refer to any appropriate literature during the assessment.

Each PA1 GOLA test will have 33 multiple choice questions and to be declared 'competent', a candidate will need to get a minimum of 24 correct answers which must include a minimum of one question correctly answered in each of the 7 activities.

Unit PA6A & AW HAND HELD APPLICATORS

Including Pedestrian Controlled Machines but EXCLUDING misters and foggers

Candidates are required to complete:
Either option A: hydraulic nozzle or rotary atomiser type sprayers

All assessment activities, option PA6A
or

PA6AW: hydraulic nozzle or rotary atomiser type sprayers including application in or near water
There are a number of methods of calibration that the candidates may use provided that it produces the correct end result.

Objective - Candidates will be able to:-

1. Prepare a hand held pesticide applicator for work, calibrate it and operate it to ensure correct application rate without risk to themselves, other people and the environment.
2. Use the information detailed on product labels to determine the approved uses for the product and its potential hazards to human safety, non-target areas and the environment in general.
3. Carry out daily and routine maintenance on a hand held pesticide applicator.
4. Carry out the correct procedure for cleaning personal protective equipment and application equipment which may have been contaminated with pesticide.

There are a number of methods of calibration which the candidates may use provided that it produces the correct end result.

Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) – credit value
PA6 has a credit value of 1 credit on the QCF.

Safe Practice
Operating the equipment in such a way as to put the candidate, examiner, the equipment or the environment at risk will cause the candidate to fail the assessment.

All equipment must be of the standard required under current Health & Safety legislation.
Candidates must wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the COSHH assessment whenever carrying out work on the applicator e.g. checking filters, replacing nozzles, etc.

Pre-requisites
The foundation unit (PA1) is required by candidates before being assessed for this application unit.

For Pesticides costings please click here.

All schedules for NPTC - City & Guilds Land Based Services are part of the City & Guilds Group. Can be found at the link below…
www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-schedules