best practice

Best practice Guidelines

Before applying any pesticide, advice is always sought from our in-house BASIS qualified advisor as to which product(s) are most appropriate to the specific problem and situation. The Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) official definition of a hard surface is: “Any man-made impermeable surface, such as concrete or asphalt and including railway ballast, that is not intended to bear vegetation.” *

In November 2011, the Health and Safety Executive issued Regulatory Update 42/2011, confirming the requirement for hard surface herbicide applications to be targeted. The following wording appears in the ‘directions for use’ section of all labels for hard surface approved products: “Apply this product carefully. Ensure spraying takes place only when weeds are actively growing (normally March to October) and is confined only to visible weeds including those in the 30cm swath covering the kerb edge and road gulley – do not overspray drains.”

* Although railway ballast is classified as a hard surface, HSE Regulatory Update 42/2011 is not applicable to products specifically authorised ONLY for use on railway ballast.

Safe chemical usage

When using products via foliar application we:

• Always select the most appropriate pesticide for the target and situation.
• Only use approved products for Amenity/Hard surface use.
• Apply products in accordance with the product label.
• Only target actively growing weeds.
• Confine pesticide usage to the intended target area.
• Never leave booms, lances turned on when maneuvering around parked vehicles or when weed growth does not persist.
• Use application equipment that reduces spray drift and run-off.
• Complete Daily Worksheets records and keep for a minimum of three years.
• Hold a Certificate of Competence and undergo refresher training to keep staff skills up to date.