HSE warning over hand-held sprayers

The advice follows the Health and Safety Executive’s clarification of the best practice guidelines on the use of hand-held sprayers which advises drivers not to hold a spraying lance on a moving vehicle because of the risk to the sprayer operator, the public and the environment.

CPA’s director of policy, Dr Anne Buckenham, said: “We’re delighted we’ve been able to work with the HSE’s agriculture team and Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) in clarifying these best practice guidelines.

“Although primarily aimed at the amenity sector, particularly with the application of pesticides on footpaths or on other public areas, they also apply to users of hand-held sprayers in the agriculture and horticulture industries.”

Above all, Dr Buckenham said users should use their common sense.

“A sprayer operator’s main focus should always be on safe and appropriate application; a hand-lance should only be used when the vehicle is stationary and out of gear.”

These are the main points from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate website which give HSE’s view on what constitutes good practice in applying pesticides using a vehicle such as an ATV, quad bike, mini tractor or similar vehicle on footpaths or in other public areas:

• Employers of spraying contractors and sprayer operators have a duty of care to those who may be affected by their application of pesticides.  Whether or not a particular method of application can be considered to be safe in terms of operator, public or environmental safety at any point of time needs to be considered in a site specific risk assessment.
• Applications should only be carried out by competent, trained (certificated) operators.
• Operators should not hold a spraying lance while riding on such a vehicle as two hands are generally needed for safe control, particularly where there is a risk of encountering people, animals, uneven surfaces or obstacles.
• The use of hand-held pesticide application equipment by the driver of a moving vehicle is not appropriate and does not represent good practice in applying pesticides.
• Further guidance can be found at www.hse.gov.uk and www.pesticides.gov.uk.

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