We've worked with ICL to develop an Online quiz (link here) to help support you guys and girls out there spraying - in this blog series I intend to go through each question, give you an in depth answer and a few useful links.
Which of the following qualifications are required to apply pesticides with a self-propelled, mounted or trailed boom sprayers.
- Pa1 & Pa6
- Pa2 & Pa6
- Pa1 & Pa2
- None if you were born before 1964
PA1 is the foundation theory module that assess knowledge of basic legislation for pesticides. Pa1 must be passed by anyone wishing to take additional PA units
PA2 is needed by anyone wanting to apply pesticides through a self-propelled, mounted or trailed boom sprayers.
PA6 is needed by anyone wishing to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator. The lance may be vehicle-mounted e.g. on a tractor or ATV.
The subtle difference between PA2 and PA6 for our industry is whether the spray unit is self-propelled or not. A small pedestrian unit that is self-propelled is covered under PA2 whereas a boom that is pushed by the operator but fed from a dedicated sprayer would require PA6.
Grandfather rights used to allow operators who were born prior to 31st December 1964 to apply pesticides without the above-mentioned certificates. This was changed in November 2015 and since then the same level of qualification has been required regardless of date of birth.
Try your luck with the other Application Quiz questions here.
Links...
Pa2
Pa6
