Applicator of phytosanitary products. Qualified level

Contents

• Crop pests: classification, description and damage they cause.
• Pest control methods. Importance of non-chemical methods. Means of phytosanitary protection.
• Strategies and techniques for integrated pest management. Biological control and other alternative techniques for pest control in different crops. General principles of integrated pest management. Decision making in plant protection and introduction to comparative evaluation. Pest and biological control organism identification practices and their management.
• Integrated production and organic production.
• Plant protection products: active substances and commercial preparations. Description and classification. Choice of plant protection products. Identification and interpretation of labels and safety data sheets: Classification and labelling. Pictograms, signal words, risk phrases or indications of danger, precautionary advice, symptoms of poisoning and recommendations for the user. Practical cases.
• Risks arising from the use of plant protection products for the environment. Measures to reduce these risks, including emergency measures in the event of accidental contamination. Good environmental practices in relation to the preservation of natural resources, biodiversity, flora and fauna. Protection and special measures established in the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC). Practical cases.
• Dangers of phytosanitary products for human health.
• Measures to reduce health risks: Levels of operator exposure. Possible risks arising from mixing products. Preventive and protective measures for the applicator. Personal protective equipment.
• PPE identification and use practices.
• Correct sequence during transport, storage and handling of phytosanitary products.
• Phytosanitary treatments. Preparation, mixing and application.
• Methods for applying phytosanitary products. Factors to take into account for efficient and correct application. Importance of dosage and application volumes. Practical cases.
• Application equipment: description and operation.
• Cleaning, regulation and calibration of equipment.
• Maintenance, reviews and periodic inspections of equipment.
• Equipment review and calibration practices. Risks related to the use of plant protection product application equipment.
• Phytosanitary treatment application practices.
• Disposal of empty containers. Management systems. Regulations.
• Traceability. Requirements for food and feed hygiene. Record of pests and treatments on farms. The farm logbook.
• Work-health relationship: regulations on prevention of occupational risks.
• Agricultural social security.
• Regulations affecting the use of PF: Purchase, transport and storage. Authorization and registration of phytosanitary products, and the extent to which this affects their use.
• Methods for identifying illegal plant protection products and risks associated with their use. Infringements, sanctions and offences.