Application of Herbicide
Standard Operating Procedure
Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes how to achieve total target weed/pest/disease control with
agrichemicals. Method of application can be vehicle mounted boom spray units, hose and gun units or knapsack. This is
to ensure no detrimental effect to the applicators, public or the environment and to ensure non target plants are not
damaged.
Scope
This SOP applies to Citycare employees working in Open Space Maintenance.
Tools, Equipment, and PPE
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN THIS OPERATION INCLUDE:
- A knapsack sprayer, tank mounted sprayer (hose and gun), and `boom spray applications.
- Measuring apparatus (for chemicals).
- Basic hand tools for minor repairs.
APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT (PPE)
- A Respirator
MUST be used when mixing or applying any agrichemical where the safety data sheet specifically
states a respirator must be worn.
- For spraying using Glyphosate (or other herbicides where respiratory use is not specifically stated on the safety
data sheet) that is conducted at below knee level using knapsack or ATV tank mounted sprayer (hose and gun)
in open air environments, respirator use is not mandatory.
- Review the SDS and the label of the chemical you are applying, for the manufacturer’s recommendations for
minimum PPE requirements – this will include (but not limited to).
o Safety Glasses or Goggles
o PVC Gloves – mixing or where spray drift could contact the applicator.
o Clothing which provides full coverage from neck to toe
o Safety footwear.
o Gumboots. Use gumboots where footwear could become saturated with spray mix.
TYPES OF RESPIRATORS APPROVED
- Reusable respirator half facepiece with organic vapour cartridges / GP2, nuisance* org vapour/acid gas-pair
- Disposable respirator 9913V, GP1, Nuisance Org Vap valved / Respirator 9913, GP1 Nuisance*Organic Vapour
The trained operator should be aware of all risks associated with the application of agrichemicals, having read
and understood the Citycare Health, Safety, and Environmental plan.
As a user of herbicide, you will need to consider all aspects of safety, including.
- A Job Safety and Environmental Analysis (JSEA) or Take 5 must be completed.
- Safe transport and storage of chemicals.
- Mixing and application is done away from waterways/cesspits/drains or any other outlets that may lead to the
stormwater network and in a safe area.
- You must be competent to operate spray equipment and understand the principles of calibration.
- You will need to read the herbicides labels and understand toxicity information including use/mix rates.
- You must be GROWSAFE certified or under the control of someone with GROWSAFE Certification.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) have to be readily accessible. This means that the document is capable of being
accessed without difficulty in hard copy, electronic, or other form.
June 2022
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Application of Herbicide
Standard Operating Procedure
Procedure
WHO
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW
Contract Manager/ Client
• Liaises with clients as necessary.
Services Coordinator
Contract Supervisor/
• Programmed rounds for areas to be inspected considering weed growth, weather
Foreman
available resources, and scheduled completion dates.
• Ensures chemicals are available.
• Arranges round sheets and maps for areas to be sprayed including scheduling of
electronic rounds where appropriate.
• Arranges the distribution of letters to “No Spray” residents.
• Allocates work to crews.
• Ensures that work meets the Environmental, Health and Safety management
system documentation which includes
Risk Registers, SOPs, Factsheets, Toolbox
Talks etc.
Crew
•
Check spraying equipment before use
-
This should be done before leaving the yard and before spraying starts on
site.
-
Check that the nozzle size and type is appropriate for the job, is working
correctly and is clean.
• If anything is worn or damaged it should be replaced.
•
Determine an appropriate herbicide
-
Confirm chemicals are correct as per the work specification.
-
Read SDS and label to confirm the chemical will be effective and to check
use rates. If unsure of use rates or suitability, clarify this before commencing
spraying.
-
Review manufacturer’s recommendations for PPE and user
requirements for the chemical being used.
-
Exposure monitoring results have confirmed that when knapsack or
ATV tank mounted spraying using Glyphosate in an open air
environment below knee level, the exposure to mists/vapours is below
detectable levels measured against the exposure standard. For this
reason, respirator use is not mandatory when Glyphosate spraying is
completed under controls outlined in this procedure.
-
Be aware that the use of certain herbicides may present a significant hazard
to nearby people, crops, waterways, and desirable vegetation.
•
Assess risk and suitability of weather conditions for spraying
-
This includes possible exposure to public and target plants.
-
Herbicides should be used at a time that minimizes disruption and
maximizes safety of the public.
-
Avoid spraying in undesirable weather conditions (when windy, when rain is
forecast or where temperatures are greater than 28C with humidity less than
50%).
• Put out signage indicating spraying is in progress
-
Signs should be placed at each approach to the work area.
-
If you are a mobile operation, then the sign needs to be on the vehicle.
June 2022
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Application of Herbicide
Standard Operating Procedure
WHO
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW
•
Mix chemicals.
-
Ensure safety glasses and gloves are worn while mixing chemicals. If mixing
agrichemicals other than Glyphosate a respirator must be worn if indicated
by the safety data sheet.
-
Follow the manufacturer’s mixing recommendations and application rate as
outlined on the label.
-
Because you are dealing with concentrated chemicals mixing is the most
hazardous stage of the process, so take extreme care.
Crew
•
Undertake spraying.
-
Ensure a respirator is worn when spraying agrichemicals other than
glyphosate (or other herbicides where respiratory use is not specifically
stated on the safety data sheet) within the conditions outlined in this
procedure.
-
Keep track of the weather and if it changes then consider changing your
method or stopping altogether if conditions become unfavorable (strong
winds, rain etc)
-
Avoid damage to non-target plants. You can reduce this with low drift spray
nozzles, lower pressure etc.
•
Tidy up & Decontamination
-
Clean equipment in a safe location where spills can be contained and will
not result in harm to the environment.
-
Do not dispose of chemical and residual water into waterway, drains or
storm water systems.
-
Check to see if left over spray mix can be used on another job before
considering dumping left over tank mixes.
-
If you need to dump left over tank mixes do so ONLY in approved areas.
(Check with supervisor if unsure where they are)
•
Complete records
-
Keep records of what was sprayed, date and time chemicals used, the
method of application and the weather conditions at the time of spraying.
-
Hand records to supervisor once work is complete- this can be done
electronically where teams are set to do so
-
Any spills or sudden leaks should be notified to your immediate supervisor
followed by the completion of an incident report and an environmental
incident report.
•
Remove signage
-
Refer to label or chemical date sheet for recommendations. Plants should be
at least touch dry before removing signs
Additional Information
Spraying in areas of high pedestrian use
If agrichemicals are used in close proximity to schools, pre-schools, shopping areas and other high pedestrian
traffic areas spraying is restricted to times outside those hours of high pedestrian use. For example, spraying should
not be carried out near schools or in parks that are used as thoroughfares when children are moving to or from
school or during break times when they are outside. Exact timings will vary dependent on the site.
At all other times staff need to look out for pedestrians moving through the area they are working in and suspend
spraying activities until pedestrians have moved to a safe distance away.
June 2022
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Application of Herbicide
Standard Operating Procedure
References
- Refer to the relevant maintenance contract for any specific client requirements and technical specifications.
- NZ Standard for Management of Agrichemicals, NZS 8409:2021.
- WorkSafe -
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances
Types of Respirators
Reusable respirator half facepiece with organic vapour cartridges/ GP2 nuisance*- org vapour/acid gas-pair
Disposable respirator 9913V, GP1, nuisance* org vap valved / 9913, GP1, nuisance* organic vapour
June 2022
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