Licences - Spraying and chainsaw

[dig dug dan]

does anyone know the laws on spraying. If i buy shop brought weedkiller, do i need a licence to spray it on a job for example?

Had an interesting one today. Local council asked to see my chainsaw certificate. they told me it was not valid as the codes had changed, from 10 and 16 to cs30 and cs31.
My certificate has no expiration date on it. First time i have ever been asked for it.
Cannot work on their land without it (even though i am clearing a fallen branch for them for nought!)

[Dave_L]

Can you not 'adjust' said licence with a laser printer?

[lutonlagerlout]

councils tend to make it up as they go dan
we are constantly retraining and revising things to keep up with the councils demands
its good to get in with them though
LLL

[mickg]

the guys on landscape juice are up to speed with all things relating to spraying and chainsaw usage, post a comment on the forum and you will get a reply

Landscape Juice Network and grass cutters forum

[Carberry]

Regarding spraying, you will need a certificate to buy commercial grade products unless you were born before 1964 then you get grandfather rights.
If you are just going to stick some roundup down then I suspect you would need a license because it is for use on somebody elses property though I doubt anyone would bother checking because it is something available in any garden center or warehouse.

[mickg]

that's not the case any more Carberry

do i need a spraying licence

that's why I advised Dan to visit that forum as the guys on their have discussed the issue of spraying and chainsaw use etc many times, different ball game if its for yourself on your own property but if your doing anything commercial or for a paying customer and the chemicals got into the water system then your in deep trouble if you don't have the licence to spray

the same applies to using a chain saw
Tree surgeon/landscaper fined due to health and safety

[dig dug dan]

i followed micks advice. LJN members concur a licence is required, even if i offer to spray fro free!
There is no get out clause.

I agree with the chainsaw licence. However, i have just read that the certificates do not expire, and as such, the council was worong to say mine was not valid!
Health and safety have no way of contacting them to ask about this!

[Carberry]

that's not the case any more Carberry

do i need a spraying licence

that's why I advised Dan to visit that forum as the guys on their have discussed the issue of spraying and chainsaw use etc many times, different ball game if its for yourself on your own property but if your doing anything commercial or for a paying customer and the chemicals got into the water system then your in deep trouble if you don't have the licence to spray

the same applies to using a chain saw
Tree surgeon/landscaper fined due to health and safety

What part of that was incorrect?

With grandfather rights you are allowed to buy the good stuff, just not allowed to spray it on someone elses land.

If you're just using roundup on a handul of weeds a couple o times a year I wouldn't bother spending £250 for PA1 or subbing it out.


Chainsaws - I agree, so many morons use them. I have chain saw certificate and I still use a bow saw and axe most of the time. Far too easy to do serious damage with them, even if you know what you're doing (met a few guys who have their certificates etc and have a scar the length of their body, lost a hand etc).

Spraying - If you're using commercial strength stuff then same again, you really do need a certificate because it is easy to ruin land with some of the stuff you can buy. But a small bottle of roundup? never going to do any damage with that unless you drink it.

[mickg]

the bit where i scan read your post i thought I saw "wouldn't" need a licence

but there are changes being made to the grandfather rights
Phasing out of 'grandfather rights' for pesticide users

All pesticide users must be adequately trained, no matter what their age and qualifications so unless you have received some form of training you are not allowed to spray pesticides (as the law stands)

[Tommy]

Out of the 9 lads on our team, 8 of us are PA1 & PA6 trained. One of the lads was spraying the infernal Knotweed, when another lad who was also spraying got a face full of drift. Many dollops of poo hit many fans, especially when he looked like Mr Blobby.

I was made aware the other day, that at any time when you are spraying, you have to have your NPTC card about your person, for anyone to check.

[dig dug dan]

I was made aware the other day, that at any time when you are spraying, you have to have your NPTC card about your person, for anyone to check.

heard that today myself!