Forum

Replies

• 

  Paul McNulty April 27, 2012 at 9:29am

  Agreed, you need to be certified if you use ANY chemicals as part of your business. Find a local trade supplier as well, the over-the-counter products from DIY stores etc. are far more expensive!
• 

  Dave Lockney April 27, 2012 at 9:49am

  Thanks.  I sort of thought it would be a legal.  Now the problem is to find somewhere in the north east of england who does this - and then find the money!  I wonder if this course can be done as Distance Learning?

  Yes  - my Roundup I bought it off the internet much cheaper than DIY stores. 
• PRO

  Phil Voice April 27, 2012 at 10:22am

  Hi Dave

  There is still a bit of a grey area about Pa1 & Pa6 certification. Anyone born before 31 December 1964 (that includes myself) is still entitled to apply pesticides professionally without a Pa1 (that's the foundation module everyone has to take regardless of the method of application thereafter) or Pa6 certificate of competence (Pa6a is the further certificate module needed to apply pesticides using a pedestrian knapsack sprayer).

  See National Training Proficiency Council NPTC assessment schedules here: http://www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-schedules/

  There is a consultation being undertaken to ask for views on withdrawing grandfather rights - see this HSE page

  Phasing out of grandfather rights for pesticide users.

  If anyone is born after 31 December 1964 and they are applying pesticides professionally (that is they are being paid and it is not on their own property) then they are legally required to posses a Pa1 & Pa6a certificate of competence.

  A professional user is not permitted to use products bought from a retail outlet.
• PRO

  Phil Voice April 27, 2012 at 10:31am

  Code of practice for using plant protection products
• PRO

  Phil Voice April 27, 2012 at 11:50am

  I noticed the grandfather rights page on the HSE site is rather old. I have contacted HSE today to ask what the latest is regarding grandfather rights is.

  They've promised to get back to me early next week.

  
  Phil Voice said:

  Hi Dave

  There is still a bit of a grey area about Pa1 & Pa6 certification. Anyone born before 31 December 1964 (that includes myself) is still entitled to apply pesticides professionally without a Pa1 (that's the foundation module everyone has to take regardless of the method of application thereafter) or Pa6 certificate of competence (Pa6a is the further certificate module needed to apply pesticides using a pedestrian knapsack sprayer).

  See National Training Proficiency Council NPTC assessment schedules here: http://www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-schedules/

  There is a consultation being undertaken to ask for views on withdrawing grandfather rights - see this HSE page

  Phasing out of grandfather rights for pesticide users.

  If anyone is born before 31 December 1964 and they are applying pesticides professionally (that is they are being paid and it is not on their own property) then they are legally required to posses a Pa1 & Pa6a certificate of competence.

  A professional user is not permitted to use products bought from a retail outlet.
• 

  Dave Lockney April 27, 2012 at 12:56pm

  Thanks Phil.  I had read about grandfather rights but got confused - and still am!  .(.I was born prior to 1964)  On one hand it seems to indicate I dont need certificates to comply, but on the other hand  if I am using them professionally I still need them.  !?!?  A local (ish) college will do both the PA1 and PA6 as one day courses for £405.  Quite a bit to pay if I dont legally need them - although I am sure that the courses would be informative.

  Much appreciate your support and look forward to seeing what the HSE say before I commit to the course (due to run on 9th May!).

  Dave
• 

  Lawnman April 27, 2012 at 1:12pm

  Kirkley Hall at Ponteland runs the course.

  Day 1 theory, day 2 practical, PA1 computer test exam conditions, PA6 practical test with examiner.
  
  Dave Lockney said:

  Thanks.  I sort of thought it would be a legal.  Now the problem is to find somewhere in the north east of england who does this - and then find the money!  I wonder if this course can be done as Distance Learning?

  Yes  - my Roundup I bought it off the internet much cheaper than DIY stores. 
• 

  Dave Lockney April 27, 2012 at 1:24pm

  Thanks. I will contact Kirkley Hall. I am not averse to some training - it can all only be good eh?  But still interested to see whether it is a legal requirement or not.  
• 

  choughman April 27, 2012 at 2:02pm

  with regards to grandfathers rights. I was told when i did my spraying cert that this only applied to usage on OWN land. The law was a bit murky regarding rented areas but clearly stated that on other property, for payment etc YOU MUST have the certs.

  Course Phil knows more than i do i'm sure and my spray test was done many years ago!
• 

  David Strong April 27, 2012 at 5:30pm

  Newton Rigg College in Penrith mate
  
  Duncan said:

  That's a better one. I was just going to say Barony College just over the border or I think there's one in Penrith too, can't remember the name.
  
  Lawnman said:

  Kirkley Hall at Ponteland runs the course.

  Day 1 theory, day 2 practical, PA1 computer test exam conditions, PA6 practical test with examiner.