News Flash!

Health & Safety for Farm & Land Based businesses

Please Call for info

Talk to Us

0333 772 0702
[email protected]

Share Us

Find us on Facebook

Connect with Us

Enter your e-mail to receive our newsletter...

Pesticide training and courses in Devon, Wales, the South West and the UK with Hush Farms.

LANTRA and NPTC pesticide training courses in Devon and Wales and throughout the South West & UK.

Pesticide training and courses in Wales, Devon, the South West and the UK with Hush Farms.

NPTC PA1, PA2, PA3, PA4 and PA6 in Devon

Courses in the Safe Use of Pesticides

Book now for July dates to complete your pesticides course.

Keeping everyone safe - join in these webinar training sessions - you can stay at home, or in your office to learn.

Practical Assessments take place on a one to one basis at one of our sites

(Group Bookings: training and assessments can take place at your site if your prefer).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for those presently spraying: visit our Facebook page 'Hush Farms' to learn about the latest DEFRA Register, who and how to sign up.

NEXT DATES:

We are presently taking bookings for spraying courses from April, 2023 onwards - please let us know if you'd like to receive details.

Call us to arrange dates if you'd like a Group Booking - this can take place at your site, or one of ours.

Price: from £275 per person, per module (+VAT)

£495 per person discount price for 2 modules (+ VAT)

There are several common categories in pesticide training and at Hush Farms we cover them all. Once you have your PA1: Theory certificate, you can then take any other module, making sure that you're legal and safe when using chemicals. We provide LANTRA and NPTC accredited pesticide training courses in Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wales and throughout the UK.

The legal bit: The law states that anyone who uses or applies pesticides in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Industry or Amenity workplaces must possess a valid Pesticide Certificate in order to comply with regulations. This legislation isn't optional and it applies to volunteers, employed and self-employed people alike.

Prices: Discounts may apply when you book a combination of certificated pesticide courses – for example, from £495pp (+VAT) for Safe Use of Pesticides and Hand-held; OR for The Safe Use of Pesticides and Boom Sprayer.

This price includes Registration and Lantra Certification – there are no additional charges involved when booking your course.

Grandfather Rights

There is no longer an exemption in UK law, commonly known as "grandfather rights”. The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 exemption ceased to exist from 27th November 2015. Everyone who now uses PPPs authorised for professional use must hold a Certificate of Competence.

The various PA pesticide course options can get a bit complicated, so we've made it easier for you to see what's needed, (but if you have any other questions, do give us a call):

PA1 is the Foundation Theory Module, assessing knowledge of basic legislation for pesticides. PA1 must be passed by anyone wishing to take any other PA units.

PA2 is needed by anyone wanting to operate mounted or trailed boom sprayers. A separate ‘weed wiper’ qualification is also available – please ask for details.

PA3 is for Broadcast or Variable Geometry Boom Sprayers (mounted or trailed), with or without air assistance; typically for orchards.

PA4s is needed by anyone wishing to apply slug pellets.

PA6 is needed by anyone wishing to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator. The lance may be vehicle-mounted e.g. on a tractor or ATV.

We do our best to be flexible around your needs, so you’re welcome to come and enjoy the pesticide training at one of our sites in East Devon or Wales, or we’ll come to a venue near you. What's more, the prices offered include training and assessment. So coming to us in Devon or Wales for pesticide training is an affordable and practical option.

Course Detail: click on any of the following options to expand and find out more information

PA1 Theory - From £275

Accreditation: LANTRA & NPTC PA1

Price: from £275 per person (+VAT), based on a minimum of 4 persons attending

(Travel fees may apply.)

Course length: one day's training plus assessment

Webinar training: 9:30am - 2:30pm approx.

Your assessment involves answering 40 multiple choice questions either using online remote technology, or a paper-based version.

Online proctored exam questions require both camera and microphone to work on your PC or laptop.

The internet connection used for your online exam should be constant and a minimum of 5Mbps.

Call us to chat through what's involved.

An Online e-learning course is available for £91.00 + VAT

An Online Proctored Assessment option is also available.

Please ask for details. These works on either a PC or laptop.

Who it's for: This PA1 pesticide course is for anyone employed in agriculture or horticulture (commercial/amenity) involved in the storage, handling and application of pesticides.

PA1 course objectives: Understand your duties under the law and help you become a safe and competent pesticide user; understand what pesticides are and their ‘field of use’; state legislation relevant to pesticide application; interpret and use label information; take the appropriate action to protect themselves and the environment; store and transport pesticides safely; dispose of the pesticides and containers safely; record information

Assessment: Definitions; consequences of not using or handling pesticides safely; legislation that affects pesticides use; pesticide product labels; personal protective equipment; safe storage and transport of pesticides; environmental factors; disposal of pesticides and containers; dealing with accidents; keeping pesticide records.

Please note: Trainees must be able to read and interpret product label information. They must also be physically fit and able to carry out the tasks required of the assessment schedule.

PA2 Boom Sprayer - From £275

Accreditation: LANTRA & NPTC PA2

Price: from £275 per person (+VAT), based on a minimum of four persons attending

(Travel fees may apply.)

Course length: one day's training plus assessment. (Webinar option isn't available for this course)

PA2 course objectives: Understand your duties under the law and help you become a safe and competent pesticide user; understand what pesticides are and their ‘field of use’; state legislation relevant to pesticide application; interpret and use label information; take the appropriate action to protect themselves and the environment; operate equipment, apply, store and transport pesticides safely; maintain equipment for the application of pesticides to a safe standard; dispose of the pesticides and containers safely; record information

PA2 Course sessions: Identify applicator controls and components; demonstrate knowledge of liquid flow, action of applicator in filling, application and circulation modes; remove, clean and replace a filter; demonstrate knowledge of nozzles, preparation of prime mover and equipment; demonstrate knowledge of legal requirements and safety regulations; demonstrate knowledge of safe driving; check for mechanical defects, security of attachment of application mechanisms; demonstrate knowledge of lubrication of components; demonstrate working knowledge of the functions of the control panel (IF APPLICABLE); demonstrate knowledge of action to be taken if system fails; read and interpret product label. (as supplied or approved by the Assessor); select spray volume/ spray quality; partly fill applicator; check boom suspension and break-back devices; select and calculate speed; calculate required output / volume rate; select appropriate nozzle/atomiser and pressure/disc speed; check applicator for leaks and spray patterns; check anti-drip system; demonstrate procedure for replacing blocked nozzles/restrictor; set operating pressure; check nozzle/atomiser outputs.

Please note: Trainees must be able to read and interpret product label information and calculate formulae with the use of a calculator. Trainees must also be capable of operating the boom sprayer vehicle (i.e., tractor or quad bike) - click through to the relevant tractor training or ATV course page for details of other qualifications available.

PA6 Handheld & Knapsack - From £275

Accreditation: LANTRA & NPTC PA6

Price: from £275 per person (+VAT), based on a minimum of four persons attending

(Travel fees may apply.)

Course length: one day training plus assessment.

PA6 course objectives: Identify and describe how hand held applicators work; identify and select nozzles for various applications; achieve the required spray quality; carry out pre-start checks; calibrate the applicator; mix and fill applicator accurately and safely; operate the applicator safely and efficiently in various situations; prevent environmental hazards; decontaminate and store equipment

Course sessions: Basics of spray application; hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment; the working principles of a knapsack; preparation of the applicator for work; nozzles; calibrating a knapsack; mixing, filling and site work; calibration, concentration method; decontamination, tank washing and storage.

Please note: The lance may be vehicle-mounted e.g. on a tractor or ATV in which case Trainees must also be capable of operating the vehicle (i.e., tractor or quad bike) - click through to the relevant training page for details of other qualifications available.

PA4s Slug Pellets - Mounted or Trailed - From £275

Accreditation: LANTRA & NPTC PA4

Price: from £275 per person (+VAT), based on a minimum of four persons attending

(Travel fees may apply.)

Course length: one day pesticide training plus assessment

PA4 course objectives:

1. Prepare a pesticide slug pellet applicator for work, calibrate and operate it to ensure correct application rate without risk to themselves, other people and the environment.

2. Use the information detailed on product labels to determine the approved uses for the product and its potential hazards to human safety, non-target areas and the environment in general.

3. Carry out daily and routine maintenance of the applicator.

4. Carry out the correct procedure for clearing personal protective equipment and application equipment which may have been contaminated with pesticide.

There are a number of methods of calibration candidates may use provided that it produces the correct end result.

The PA4 pesticide course excludes pedestrian controlled machines or hand-held equipment.

Please note: Trainees must be physically fit and able to carry out the tasks required of the assessment schedule. Trainees must also be capable of operating the applicator vehicle (i.e., tractor or quad bike) - click through to the relevant land-based training page for details of other qualifications available.

DO I REALLY NEED A CERTIFICATE TO USE PESTICIDES?

THE LAW REQUIRES all those who use or apply Pesticides in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Industrial, Amenity or On or Near Water workplaces to possess a valid Pesticide certificate in order to comply with regulations.

Legislation applies to ANYONE spraying in the above workplaces, including VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYED or SELF-EMPLOYED, regardless of the size of the company or frequency of spraying operations, even if spraying your own land.

As of November 2015: non-certificated ‘Grandfather Rights’ spraying is no longer permitted.

Compliance with legislation is regulated by the Chemical Regulation Directorate (CRD), the pesticides arm of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). They alone determine certification needs and status. Full details are available on the HSE website.

I'VE HEARD SOME CERTIFICATES ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS, IS THAT TRUE?
Since pesticide certification became necessary in the 1980s, NPTC have been the only recognised certificating body. However, in 2015, Lantra also gained authorisation by CRD/HSE as an awarding body for pesticides, having long been known for pesticide training courses.

This means that there are now two and only two, officially recognised pesticide awarding bodies in the UK. Lantra or NPTC pesticide accreditation is equally valid for meeting HSE/CRD pesticide compliance, both are valid for equal duration and it is permissible to hold some certificates through NPTC and some through Lantra. Both organisations operate similar certification processes, whereby spray operators must hold a theory test certificate as well as an appropriate applicator certificate in order to comply with HSE/CRD regulations for pesticide use. You will need to hold several certificates if you use a variety of spraying machines. For example, if you use knapsack sprayers as well as tractor/quad mounted sprayers you will need to have PA1 + PA2 + PA6 certificates.

STILL NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF CERTIFICATE YOU NEED?
Hush Farms are authorised to provide certification through both NPTC and Lantra. Understanding which certificate(s) you need for compliance for your particular spraying task can be confusing, so we have summarised below what certification is needed for the most common types of spray operations:

Safe use of Pesticides - PA1
Foundation Theory Module assessing knowledge of basic legislation for pesticides.
PA1 must first be passed by anyone wishing to take any other PA units. Once PA1 is passed, any of the other PA units may be taken, in any order you wish.

Safe Application of Pesticides using vehicle mounted or trailed Boom - PA2a
Needed by anyone wanting to operate vehicle mounted or trailed boom sprayers (+PA1).
PA2f is needed if you wish to operate mounted or trailed ‘weed wiper’ types of applicator.

Safe Application of Pesticides using pellet or granule applicator - PA4
Needed by anyone wishing to apply slug pellets or granules. (+PA1)

Safe Application of Pesticides to Land using Hand Held equipment - PA6a
Needed by anyone wishing to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator (+PA1). Lance may be vehicle mounted e.g. on tractor or ATV.
PA6mc is needed by anyone wishing to use hand-held 'weed wiper' or wick types of applicator.

Safe Application of Pesticides to Land & Water using Hand Held equipment - PA6aw
Needed by anyone wishing to apply pesticides using a hand-held lance or knapsack type applicator in or near water.

Anyone over the age of 16 can train with Hush Farms to obtain a spray certificate. Just call or email us if you’re still not sure which pesticide qualification you need, or if you would like to book a course.

Weed Wiper

Accreditation: LANTRA & NPTC PA2F

Price: from £275 per person (+VAT), based on a minimum of four persons attending

(Travel fees may apply.)

Course length: one day pesticide training plus assessment. Training also available using webinar technology.

PA2F course objectives:

1. Prepare a pesticide weed wiper applicator for work, calibrate and operate it to ensure correct application rate without risk to themselves, other people and the environment.

2. Use the information detailed on product labels to determine the approved uses for the product and its potential hazards to human safety, non-target areas and the environment in general.

3. Carry out daily and routine maintenance of the applicator.

4. Carry out the correct procedure for clearing personal protective equipment and application equipment which may have been contaminated with pesticide.

There are a number of methods of calibration candidates may use provided that it produces the correct end result.

The PA2F pesticide course excludes pedestrian controlled machines or hand-held equipment.

Stump Plugs & Stem Injection

Training for the use of both 'Stump plugs' and 'Stem Injection' is now available online using remote technology to give you live connection with your instructor.

Assessments take place on a one to one basis at your site, or one of ours in Devon or Wales.

Please call us for further details, on 0333 772 0702 / 07791 344216.

Painting Stumps

Training for this method of application is also available using webinar technology. Please call us for further details, on 0333 772 0702 / 07791 344216.