In the UK it is a legal requirement for most people who undertake spraying of professional pesticides to hold a pesticides certificate of competence, otherwise known as a pesticide license. Training for a spraying certificate by undertaking a pesticides course is detailed on this page. Sometimes these courses are called NPTC sprayer courses, but practically they are courses to assist someone to pass an NPTC assessment.
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This compulsory module must be completed by all candidates before they proceed to any of the Applicator tests. The course covers the safe use of pesticides, handling and storage of chemicals, selection of correct protective clothing, interpretation of labels, environmental factors and legislation.
All course members receive a certificate of attendance. This course can lead by subsequent assessment to the NPTC PA1 certificate.
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Application Tests:
This course is suitable for anyone involved in the operation and maintenance of hydraulic nozzle type field crop sprayers.
Objectives:
- Develop knowledge covering the requirements of current legislation
- Apply pesticides safely and efficiently with a field crop sprayer fitted with hydraulic nozzles.
- Identify and select appropriate nozzles, carry out machine preparation and calibration.
- Operate the equipment in compliance with current legislation and codes of practice.
- Clean equipment and dispose of unwanted pesticides and containers.
- Identify and rectify faults and recognise conditions when spraying is inadvisable.
All course members receive a certificate of attendance. This course can lead by subsequent assessment to the NPTC PA2A certificate.
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This course covers hand held applicators - hydraulic nozzle and / or rotary atomiser types. The equipment included in this test module is any hand held and / or pedestrian controlled sprayer of the type specified above.
Objectives:
- Develop knowledge covering the requirements of current legislation
- Apply pesticides safely and efficiently with a hand held applicator fitted with hydraulic nozzles.
- Identify and select appropriate nozzles, carry out machine preparation and calibration.
- Operate the equipment in compliance with current legislation and codes of practice.
- Clean equipment and dispose of unwanted pesticides and containers.
- Identify and rectify faults and recognise conditions when spraying is inadvisable.
Training leads to a National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) Certificate of Competence PA6a
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This course is designed for those involved in the application of granular pesticides. The course can be for those who use either hand held or tractor operated equipment.
Objectives:
- Develop knowledge covering the requirements of current legislation
- Apply pesticides safely and efficiently with a granule applicator
- Set machine flow rate for specific product and carry out calibration
- Operate the equipment in compliance with current legislation and codes of practice
- Clean the equipment and safely return unused granules to store
- Identify and rectify faults and recognise conditions when application is inadvisable.
All course members receive a certificate of attendance. This course can lead by subsequent assessment to the NPTC PA4 certificate.
The above courses are all of one day's duration. Assessments will be arranged by us and will take place on another date after the course.
Please note that attendance on a course does not necessarily mean that a person will pass the assessment; most people will need to practice before taking the applicator test.
In addition to the above, other pesticide courses are available, including Fogging, Misting and Smoking ( PA9 ) and Hand Held Applicator, Application to water using Hydraulic Nozzle or Rotary atomiser type sprays ( PA6AW ).
We also offer other specialist courses relating to pest control chemicals and pest problems, including the Control of Rabbits and Moles/Rats and Mice . These courses are Lantra Integrated Training and Assessed courses and so do not involve a subsequent assessment day.
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BASIS courses are available for supervisors and managers of people using pesticides.
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