Spraying PPE buying tips needed.

Hi all
First post here! As they say: First time caller, long time listener.
Spent many a rainy day reading past posts. Great site.

Been going 3 years doing garden maintenance, and due to my dad having a bad reaction once while spraying on the farm, ive always declined requests for weedkiller spraying and used organic means. However after winning a small housing estate maintenance contract I've decided It's about time I explored the chemical route.

So the course is coming up soon and they require you to have overalls, nitrile gloves and face shield etc. Before I bought anything I thought i'd enquire what you lot used. Are disposable gloves and overalls best? Or would reusable gear with certain features make life easier? Also what style headgear do you use, perspex shield or goggles and respirators etc? Or is disposable good for the course then washable for work or vice versa??
Thanks all

Hi John, this is a very interesting topic. I know what you are saying about the disposable spray suits, but they are only called disposable because you can throw them, not because they deteriorate within 5 minutes. Some of the better quality ones like the 3M ones will last for a while but they are not ideal for wading through bramble and the like as it is likely you will rip them. The trouble you will have with re-usable coveralls is if you have a spillage on them you are then in a predicament with what to do as it's not as simple as throwing them into the washing machine!

Nitrile gloves and boots are a definite every time you spray, but a face shield can be optional depending on baht you are spraying. If you do use one I would suggest a clear face visor which is adjustable and will not mist up.

Product choice will be your main factor as some of the cleaner labeled products require less PPE.

As you are starting up we would be really keen to help you, and as such we would be happy to supply you with a full kit of PPE at a reduced price. I will also throw in a nozzle guide and spraying tips booklet for free.

Please let me know your sizes etc and I can give you a price for the full kit.

Cheers, ollie

Ollie.wright@agrigem.co.uk
0800 1337849

Replies

mark May 9, 2014 at 9:04pm

All depends what chemical you are spraying, i have used the disposable suits in the past put they rip very easily, you will find some good re-usable suits on ebay around £40, again depending what chemical and if it's a large area we use perspex shield with respirators and use we use good quality chemical gloves, won't risk using the thin disposable ones where weedkiller is concerned.
Agrigem - Sarah Kimm May 9, 2014 at 9:22pm

Hi John, this is a very interesting topic. I know what you are saying about the disposable spray suits, but they are only called disposable because you can throw them, not because they deteriorate within 5 minutes. Some of the better quality ones like the 3M ones will last for a while but they are not ideal for wading through bramble and the like as it is likely you will rip them. The trouble you will have with re-usable coveralls is if you have a spillage on them you are then in a predicament with what to do as it's not as simple as throwing them into the washing machine!

Nitrile gloves and boots are a definite every time you spray, but a face shield can be optional depending on baht you are spraying. If you do use one I would suggest a clear face visor which is adjustable and will not mist up.

Product choice will be your main factor as some of the cleaner labeled products require less PPE.

As you are starting up we would be really keen to help you, and as such we would be happy to supply you with a full kit of PPE at a reduced price. I will also throw in a nozzle guide and spraying tips booklet for free.

Please let me know your sizes etc and I can give you a price for the full kit.

Cheers, ollie

Ollie.wright@agrigem.co.uk
0800 1337849
Lawncare-4u.co.uk May 10, 2014 at 2:02am

blue suit £5 ? ive just used mine after passing my pa1/6 as i had a 5hr job spraying relay/triathlon (wish id used a mask - cough) ur dad would agree.

green gloves- 5 pairs @ £2 each?

i heard u can get a green suit so u dont look like a nypd homicide investigator :)

its a great cover and zips up from middle to chin covering clothes ( i wore it dressed in a shirt once to spray on the way to a bday meal one sunday )

goggles/face mask for concentrate mixing initially apparently on exam - although i was taught at same reastheath-training to use in class?????? VERY controversial & im confused to this day as to the legal position of liability !
John Barraclough July 8, 2014 at 4:05pm

Belated thanks for the replies lads.
Well I passed my PA1/6 and got the bit o paper off the postman (6 weeks it took).

Anyway I found out the disposable gloves aren't thick enough!! Must be non lined (flocked is fine), 0.5mm thick and 300mm long.

Like you said if you're dealing with brambles etc a thicker suit might be best but it's probably going to rip too and you'd have wasted even more money so due to the amount of sweat produced the thinner disposable one would be more comfortable.