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Spraying Season – The Right PPE

We are aware that some difficulties exist around sourcing the PPE required for pesticide applications.

  • Tilhill has been in contact with several manufacturers and distributors to assess the situation and establish availability.

The legal requirement to ensure that everyone using pesticides wears the correct PPE for the product and task they’re undertaking, and that the PPE is fit for purpose, remains as important as ever so it’s essential to plan ahead for replacing PPE stocks in good time.

Have you got the correct PPE for spraying?

Waterproofs and general foul weather gear do not meet the requirements of FISA Safety Guide 202, the pesticide label or COSHH assessment.

It is important that you are wearing PPE that has the correct level of protection and that you have checked it for wear and tear.

What PPE do you need?

The three important sources of information to confirm what PPE is required are the:

  • Pesticide
  • COSHH
  • FISA Safety Guide 202

Remember:

  • The PPE required for mixing is different to that required for applying.

How do I know if it’s the right PPE?

Coveralls will have a label on it that will rate it – typically either Type 4, 5 or 6. When spraying you must wear a Type 4 coverall.

Coveralls must be one-piece, impermeable, and designed to cover the majority of the body’s surface. The garment should incorporate elasticated wrist and ankle seals to prevent splashes migrating through gaps.

The three types of coverall in use in forestry are:

Type 6 – Limited splash tight

Type 5 – Particle tight

Type 4 – Spray tight

PPE which has external pockets that feature unprotected zips, toggles or have fabric cuffs is not rated for pesticide use.

What about Gloves?

Unless the pesticide label or specific COSHH Assessment says otherwise, gloves should be made from Nitrile Rubber, be at least 0.5 mm thick and at least 300 mm long when using Pesticides.

What about Respiratory Protection Equipment (disposable face masks)?

Tight-fitting Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE), including a Filtering Face Piece (FFP) (commonly referred to as a disposable mask) must be fit tested as part of the selection process. This will ensure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers.

An inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer. The presence of facial hair in the region of the face seal will significantly reduce the protection provided. For further information on Face Fit Testing please contact your Tilhill Manager.

Instructing PPE – What should you do?

  • Your work instructions and COSHH Assessment will identify what type of PPE is required for the pesticide being used.
  • If in any doubt speak to your Tilhill Forest Manager.

Having difficulties sourcing the right spraying PPE?

Contact your Tilhill manager if you’re having difficulties sourcing the right type of PPE and they’ll provide you with details of suppliers we’ve been in contact with – it’s clearly important to do this in good time before your stocks become low.

 

 

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