THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY ADROIT SOLUTIONS
Agrichemicals are a much-needed tool for farming, aiding in the growing and protection of food production. From manufacture to disposal of agrichemicals, there are many controls for the safety of people, property, and places.
It’s important you and your workers have the correct certifications for using hazardous substances, ensuring everyone knows the risks and how to protect themselves and others from harm. Correct and proper use of agrichemicals in the workplace and environment is vital to ensure correct application and safety.
It is also a legislative requirement. Certifications are required under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) when using agrichemicals that are toxic to the environment and toxic to the user (WorkSafe). Proof of certification must be provided but the question is: what type of certification do you need?
Certifications cover three areas: Controlled Substance Licence required for substances such as cyanide and animal and pest control; Certified Handler certificate for toxic agrichemicals for farmers/contractors; Qualified Person for ecotoxic for farmers/contractors. The certification you need depends on the agrichemical you use and store, as well as their classifications.
A Certified Handler is certified to handle toxic products classified as Category 1 6.1A and Category 2 6.1B Acutely Toxic. If you are buying, storing, or using Category 1 & 2 Acutely Toxic agrichemicals, which are Tracked Substances, you are required to have a Certified Handlers Certificate. Examples of common products needing a Certified Handler include Paraquat, Formalin, Bravo, Weatherstick – note these are only a few examples, always check the Safety Data Sheet or the label on products you are using.
Certified Handler Certificates are issued by Compliance Certifiers and are valid for five years. To become a Certifier Handler, you will need to demonstrate the knowledge, experience, and competence to safely handle the hazardous substances that your certificate will cover, as well as providing evidence of competence. Adroit Solutions can provide the full certification process online. This online process includes reading training material, completing and passing an assessment, and providing evidence of workplace compliance.
We often get asked: Can I renew my Certified Handler Certificate? Yes, these need to be renewed every five years. If your Compliance Certificate has expired, you cannot purchase hazardous substances that require a Certified Handler or continue to work as a Certified Handler.
In 2017, WorkSafe reviewed hazardous substances in the workplace, and products no longer requiring the Certified Handler Certificate now fall under the less stringent Qualified Person certification.
A Qualified Person certificate under the EPA legislation is required when applying agrichemicals by motorised boom or motorised handspray gun. These agrichemicals are classified as Category 3 – 6.1C Toxic, Category 1 - 8.2A Corrosive, Category 3 – Class 9 Ecotoxic.
Our online Envirospray courses meet the requirement of EPA ‘Qualified Person’ Certificate and are called Envirospray Hand Pump Sprayer Course (Low Volume Use) and Envirospray Motorised Boom and Handgun Course (Large Volume Use). These courses are designed to be practical and informative to aid participants in upskilling and competently applying agrichemicals from tank to target.
This training is for applicators using motorised boom, handgun, or where spray could go off target. It’s online process also includes reading training material, completing and passing an assessment, and providing practical evidence photos before the certificate can be issued. These certifications also have a life span of five years.
Adroit Solutions Ltd is a training provider that provides advice and training courses to help workplaces and businesses selling, storing, using or disposing of agrichemicals. All our training is designed to ensure users become skilled in protecting people, property, and places.
You can find us online at www.adroitsolutions.co.nz
Back to Real Farmer