All equipment must be correctly calibrated before the operation to ensure that the correct application rates are applied.

Pre-application preparation – spray mixing

When mixing label guidelines should always be consulted and followed. All equipment used needs to be triple rinsed and all equipment and stock must be inspected daily for leaks.

Amount needed: before mixing the application the exact amount needed for one single application needs to be carefully calculated, to ensure pesticide wastage is kept to a minimum. This can be determined by knowing the area being sprayed and the application rate as per the label. Mixed chemicals should never be left overnight.

Where to mix: mixing should only occur in restricted, demarcated areas, and should also be conducted away from water courses. Mixing should be done over drip trays.

Mixing process: caution should be applied at all times.

Liquids: fill the applicator 80% full with water before adding the pesticide and topping up.

Wettable powders: pre-mix powder by apply small volumes of water to make a slurry. Fill the applicator halfway, before adding the slurry and topping up.

Mixing pesticides: fo NOT mix concentrates before pouring into the applicator.

Continual mixing: certain applicators need to be agitated during the mixing and application process

Spills: Refer to SOP spills

Please note: Spillage caught in drip trays must be added back into the mixing solution.

The rate applied should meet:

Equipment & personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment must be maintained in good working order; and without leaks or other hazards to the operator. The type of equipment used must be suited to the pesticide to be used and must be able to accurately deliver the prescribed application rate. The appropriate PPE must also be selected and worn.

All employees must be properly trained in the use of pesticides and the relevant equipment being used. The correct protective equipment, in good order, shall be provided to employees, as specified on the pesticide label.

Manual vs mechanical

Spray choices must always be in accordance to the label. They should be selected based on best techniques and minimising spray drift.

Manual ground sprays

This is the most widely used application system in forestry due to the nature of the terrain and accessibility. Techniques include foliar, basal stem, spot and cut surface treatments and soil drenching for the control of soil born pests.

Equipment used:

Refer to SOP knapsack application

Mechanical ground sprays

Terrain permitting this can be used extensively. However, consideration needs to be given to the damage caused by compaction and/or erosion.

Equipment used:

Refer to SOP mechanical application

Aerial sprays

Provides the most extensive reach and is particularly useful when large areas need an application administered in a short window of time. Spray drift is a big issue and needs to be carefully managed and minimised. Ensure that the product is registered for aerial application.

Refer to SOP aerial application

Pesticide drift needs to be avoided at all costs as it has the potential to cause extensive damage to non-target organisms.

There are two forms of spray drift that normally occur:

Usually caused by droplets that are too small, therefore it is crucial to ensure spray applicators are fitted with the correct sized nozzles.

Droplet size is classified as follows:

Spray drift occurs when the pressure setting is too high and thus results in smaller droplet size.

Adverse climatic conditions

Wind, temperature and relative humidity all influence spray (and volatile) drift. The addition of anti-drift agents and ensuring the nozzle size and pressure settings are correct will all reduce the impact of adverse climatic conditions, but ultimately spraying must be suspended if conditions are not acceptable. The pesticide label will contain guidelines regarding the appropriate wind speeds that need to be followed.

1) SICKNESS – Report to supervisor if you are feeling ill.

2) EMERGENCY CLEAN UP KIT – Ensure there is one on site in case of spills, this should normally comprise the following:

3) CALIBRATION – Calibration is the preparation and operation of a knapsack sprayer in such a way so as to ensure that the correct amount of pesticide and spray mixture is evenly distributed over the given area to be sprayed.

Ultimately, calibrating a knapsack enables you to know the volume applied, which is essential when calculating the pesticide volume required.

To determine the chemical volume, you need to know:

To determine that amount of water being delivered, the knapsack needs to be calibrated. Calibration should happen at the beginning of every spraying season, as well as:

To calibrate the knapsack sprayer, you need to determine:

Using these you can then work out the volume applied and from this calculate the amount of pesticide needed in the tank.

Walking speed

Nozzle output

Nozzle spray width

As previously mentioned, this is determined by the nozzle type used (refer to label) and the height held above the ground. The operators knee height can be used as a guide, (i.e. keeping the nozzle at the operator’s knee height as they spray). This will ensure the swath remains fairly constant.

Volume applied

Pesticide volume required

4) CONTROL CHECKS – Done before every spray.

5) WELL-BEING – Ensure sprayers adhere to the following:

Refer to SOP Disposal

1) NOZZLE SELECTION – There are three kinds of nozzles:

2) PRODUCTION RATE – Is dependent on walking speed, nozzle selection, nozzle height and type of terrain and vegetation, if any.

3) WATER VOLUME – Make sure the equipment is filled with the right amount of water needed for the concentrated pesticide. The prescribed dilution rates will be stated on the label in litres, normally litres per hectare (l/ha).

1) PPE – Minimum PPE listed below is required at ALL times when spraying. Check the pesticide label to see whether additional PPE is required.

2) SPRAY PLAN – Is required to ensure all areas are covered effectively, efficiently and only once. It will also reduce the risk of workers walking through sprayed areas. Erect no entry signs to inform others of recently sprayed areas and the time when it is safe to re-enter.

3) SPEED / HEIGHT / PRESSURE – When applying pesticides:

Do not spray when:

4) SPOT APPLICATIONS vs SWINGING – Spot applications procedures should be followed for herbicides, with the spray nozzle in front of the applicator and NO swinging. For pesticide applications, swinging of the spray nozzle is acceptable as long as it is done in a regular pattern.

Local legislation driven by international conventions, governs how storeroom and field spills are dealt with.

These local legislations include:

An incident that has the ability to pollute, based on the concentration, sensitivity of the environment, and hazard value of the pollutant concerned:

Spills need to be recorded in the spill register for internal reconciling purposes, as per company protocol.

If a spill is ABOVE the ‘Disaster Spill’ threshold it also needs to be reported to the relevant Government Department, authority and/or affected people.

Depending on the nature of the spill these include:

1) Fertiliser, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947

2) SANS: 10118 2011 Aerial application of pesticides

3) SANS: 10206 2010 The handling, storing and disposal of pesticides

4) Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993

There are two parties involved with aerial spraying: the CONTRACTOR who undertakes the spraying and the GROWER whose land is being sprayed. Their roles and responsibilities differ.

CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

1) AIRCRAFT CONDITION AND CREDENTIALS

2) PILOT

3) AIRCRAFT CALIBRATION

4) GROUND CREW – Responsible for mixing and loading:

5) COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

6) PILOT’S PPE – Must protect against fire and contamination from pesticides. xxxxx

GROWER’S RESPONSIBILITY

1) CONTRACTORS CREDENTIALS – Contractor meets all the legal requirements:

2) ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING ASSESSMENT – Ensure that this has been done prior to spraying and that it has been reviewed and signed off by an environmental specialist or a representative from the company’s environmental department.

3) PROVISION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRACTOR

4) WEATHER CONDITIONS

5) PROVISION OF WATER – For mixing pesticides and washing purposes. There must be periodic analysis of pH and hardness.

6) ADHERENCE TO LABEL RECOMMENDATIONS – In particular: warnings, precautions, resistance, use restrictions, directions, limitations.

7) DELIVERY OF PESTICIDES

8) INFORMING NEIGHBOURS AND STAFF – Workers and neighbours need to be warned ahead of time that aerial spraying will commence. This includes:

9) CONDUCTING A SITE EVALUATIONS – The grower and pilot contracted must conduct a site evaluation prior to spraying. This should include:

Where aircraft are not fitted with GPS ordinance system, the following must be done: flags or markers, inanimate objects, to demarcate corners clearly as well as any NO GO areas.

CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

1) EVENNESS, CORRECTNESS AND QUALITY OF THE APPLICATION

2) ACCORDANCE TO LEGISLATION – Aerial application is conducted in such a way it is accordance with national regulations and statutory requirements.

3) LABEL ADHERENCE – In particular to the restrictions and weather conditions stipulated.

4) PILOT’S HEALTH – Spraying should cease immediately if any signs of sickness, ill health or discomfort are felt. The pilot needs to seek immediate medical attention, taking the label with them. This needs to be noted in the crop spraying logbook and reported to the relevant authority.

5) SPRAY DRIFT IS REDUCED – Aircraft is set up in such a way that primary exodrift (spray drift onto any non-target object) is avoided. This includes ensuring the following are correctly set:

GROWER’S RESPONSIBILITY

1) OBSERVERS – With the company/owner’s permission they may be in a safe area, upwind of spraying and should avoid walking through freshly sprayed compartments.

2) PPE – Observers need to be issued with the correct PPE. There should be spares that are readily available in case contamination occurs.

3) FIRST AID KITS – Need to be maintained and available during spraying, administrated by a trained first aider.

4) NO EATING, SMOKING, DRINKING OR TOILET BREAKS – In the operation area; only in demarcated area.

5) CORRECT WASHING PROCEDURE – Before eating, drinking, toilet breaks or changing, gloves need to be rinsed with water (ideally running) and soap. Gloves can then be removed from hands; face to be washed.

1) PRE-PLANTING – Herbicide – broadcast spray, controlling all undesirable vegetation.

2) POST-PLANTING – Herbicide – selective systemic – lances attached to tractor boom:

SPRAY PLAN

A pre-determined route needs to be designed for the compartments being sprayed. This should take into account:

1) Slope: DO NOT WORK ALONG THE CONTOUR.

2) Direction of spray.

3) Areas to be avoided (i.e. water bodies, neighbouring crops and homesteads, conservation areas), or could be negatively affected by spray drift, as well as buffer zones.

TIPWG APPROVED LIST PESTICIDE

Ensure the pesticide about to be used is on the list and thus complies with all South African legislation and certification requirements.

LABEL INSTRUCTIONS

Need to be understood and followed at all times. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) need to be available.

1) Wind speed – can cause chemical drift.

2) Ensure the application method is appropriate for the weather conditions:

3) Rain – Know the rain-fastness of the pesticide being used.

4) If the wind speed changes significantly during spraying, spray operations need to be adjusted accordingly.

WATER

Strategically place a bulk water unit for refilling close to the spray site, so to avoid unnecessary delays.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

1) First aider and first aid kit on site.

2) Report sickness.

3) Emergency clean up kit – adhere to the label specifications, if not stated then ensure the following minimum:

4) Extra PPE available in a demarcated area.

WELL-BEING

Access to clean drinking water. No eating, drinking, toilet breaks or smoking while operating. Ensure hands and face are washed prior to eating, drinking, smoking and toilet breaks.

1) All machinery needs to be regularly maintained as per manufacturer specifications.

2) Daily check-lists should be completed by appointed operator and signed off by respective manager/forester.

3) All machinery should be inspected prior to spraying, this should include tightening pipes, fittings and nozzles. Additional care needs to be taken to look for leaks.

4) Tanks should be flushed if they are not used for extended periods.

5) Tractors should be fully refuelled prior to spraying.

Make sure the nozzle selected delivers the appropriate cover and water volume, refer to label. Ensure the same nozzle type is used across the entire boom.

1) Chemical hoeing – raindrop type nozzles as they have heavy, coarse droplet sizes which reduces spray drift.

2) Coning – flat fan type nozzles as they create good coverage and overlapping.

3) Coppice regrowth – narrow angle full cone nozzle as this supplies good penetration and coverage.

NOTE: Spray operations associated with tractor mounted booms that involve spray techniques that do not conform to a consistent swath and speed, (coning / chemical hoeing) are difficult to calibrate. Therefore, a percentage volume, as indicated on the label, should be applied.

1) Fill the tank with clean water.

2) Set pressure to pre-determined pressure for the operation in hand.

3) Measure a calibration distance – a minimum of 100m.

4) Ensure the tractor is geared correctly, so it will work at a constant/acceptable spraying speed (0.5m/second or 1 km/hour). Note the terrain being sprayed will determine the final speed.

5) Record the time it takes to drive one swath of full-cover spraying over the measured distance.

6) Repeat twice more to get an average.

7) Measure the width of the spray pattern over the entire boom. Check individual spray patterns over bare soil to verify an even spray distribution and nozzle overlap.

8) With the tractor stationary, place a suitable sized measuring jug under one of the nozzles and commence spraying for average time recorded above.

9) Measure the collected volume of water. Then repeat the step twice to get an average.

You first need to work out the TOTAL VOLUME sprayed during the calibration. This is done by taking the av-erage collected volume of water from a single nozzle and multiplying it by the number of nozzles being used.

You also need to work out the TOTAL AREA sprayed this is simply the calibration distance used multiplied by the spray width measured.

ALL PERSONS INVOLVED WITH MIXING MUST WEAR THE CORRECT PPE – refer to label prior to filling. Ensure all the filters/sieves inserted at the nozzle ends are present and clean.

1) Check spray nozzles are firmly attached.

2) Use a flat hose to fill the tank, ensuring the water used is clean and a water filter is in place.

3) Pour in the pre-measured volume of pesticide, as water is being added to the tank. This ensures proper mixing.

4) Ensure any surplus pesticides and empty containers are disposed off accordingly – Refer to SOP Disposal.

The set up procedure for the mechanical spraying is largely determined by whether the spraying operation is a pre or post-plant operation:

Spraying rig enters the compartment, folds out the booms, engages the pump, selects the correct tractor gear (determined in calibration) and commences spraying.

Spraying rig enters the compartment, folds out the booms, fits the lances to the boom at the quick coupling points, lifts the boom, engages the pump, selects the correct tractor gear (determined in calibration) and com-mences spraying.

The mechanical sprayer must maintain the same speed as was used in the calibration exercise to ensure the correct volume of pesticide is applied. The spray team must follow a clear, pre-determined, spraying plan that ensures no area is sprayed twice or missed.

1) Need to be wearing correct PPE according to the pesticide label, refer to SOP PPE.

2) NO person allowed within 20m of operational spray unit unless wearing suitable PPE.

3) Extreme care must be taken not to spray seedlings during post-planting herbicide spraying.

4) Sprayers must be evenly matched in terms of physical ability and walking speed.

5) Sprayers must swop positions periodically during the day to relieve the static nature of holding the pipe for long periods.

6) Be alert to objects and uneven terrain that could hinder spraying operations.

7) Take extra care when working behind booms – uneven terrain can cause them to swing suddenly.

8) Detach the lance at the quick coupling points when turning or travelling.

NOTE: If conditions change (slope, terrain) or machinery changes (tractor, spray cart) the calibration needs to be repeated to ensure accuracy.

Fill tanker with ¼ to ¾ water – always adding the pesticide to water and not the other way around.

Keep the water agitated.

Each product must be fully dispersed/solubilised before the next is added.

Mix outside or in a well-ventilated area.

If working outside ensure you back is to the wind to prevent fumes and dust being blown towards you.

Pesticide containers should always be placed on a secure, stable surface.

Mix and load pesticide on a concrete slab if possible.

Always use a catch basin when mixing to prevent inadvertent spills.

Measure carefully using clearly labelled ‘PESTICIDE’ measures that are washed separately.

Never open pesticide containers higher than chest level or lift open containers over chest height.

Mix at waist level, never at eye-level.

Never stir with hands/arms, always use a clearly labelled ‘PESTICIDE’ stir-stick.

1) Sickness – report to supervisor if you are feeling ill. If treatment is sought, ensure the pesticide label is taken along to the medical facility.

2) Emergency clean up kit – ensure there is one on-site in case of spills. This should comprise the following:

3) Control checks – done before every spray.

4) Setting the harness – adjust the harness straps so that the back-plate fits snugly and securely against your back, by adjusting the height and angle of the straps.

5) Checking coverage – use water sensitive paper (WSP) to ensure the correct coverage when applying pesticides with a mist blower.

1. Fill mist blower with water.
2. Create a diagram of the tree that will be sprayed.
3. Clearly mark where WSP will be placed on the tree, ensuring:
   1. The distribution of the WSP covers areas where pest damage is found and/or in areas where coverage will be difficult to achieve.
   2. Enough WSP is used to get an accurate depiction of the spray coverage.
4. Label WSP in accordance to their position on the tree diagram, then attach using staples or bulldog clips on the corresponding areas of the tree ensuring:
   1. The sensitive side of the WSP is facing outwards
   2. There is no dew on the tree, which could activate the WSP and skew the results.
5. Start the operation, making sure the operator operates in their normal fashion.
6. Collect WSP and check the spray pattern against the diagram below.
7. If the WSP is representative of 85 drops per cm², pesticide application is correct. If not, repeat the steps adjusting how the operator applies the mix.

PLEASE NOTE: WSP is not fool proof and the denseness of the trees foliage can skew the results.

6) Well-being

1) Production rate – dependent on walking speed, nozzle height and type of terrain.

2) Water volume & mixing – make sure the equipment is filled with the right amount of water for the concentration of pesticide. The prescribed dilution rates will be stated on the label in litres, as litres per hectare (l/ha). A percentage mixture is often recommended too. Pesticides need to be mixed in accordance with label specifications and percentage application rate.

3) PPE (always refer to the label) – minimum PPE listed below is required at ALL times when spraying. Check the pesticide label to see whether additional PPE is required.

4) Carrying or moving with the mist blower – the mist blower should be turned off when being carried for a distance. It should always be worn as a backpack and not over one shoulder. Harness should be correctly fitted.

5) Starting the mist blower

If the engine is cold:

If the engine is warm:

6) Operating the mist blower

7) Refuelling – this should be done in an area that has been cleared of debris to prevent accidental fire/spillage. A fire extinguisher must be present when refuelling.

8) Spray plan – this is required to ensure all areas are covered effectively, efficiently and only once. It will also reduce the risk of workers walking through sprayed areas. No entry signs should be erected to inform others of recently sprayed areas; also indicate the time when it is safe to re-enter.

9) Spray environment

10) Do not spray when