Objective of the Course:
To ensure that the student understands the general concepts involved with assessing hazards and risks and knows how to draw up plans and associated paperwork to reduce these risks so that their pest control procedures can be carried out safely and effectively.
A. The Law and Risk Assessments
Why we all need to produce Risk Assessments.
Presentation and group discussion.
B. Assessing the Risks
1. Posed by the products to technicians and their clients
a. the COSHH Assessment
2. Posed by the site/treatment programme to technicians, their clients and the public
a. the Site Specific Risk Assessment
b. the Generic Risk Assessment
3. Posed by the treatment to non-target animals and plants
a. the Environmental Risk Assessment
Presentation and group discussion
C. How to recognise Hazards and the Risks associated with them
Presentation followed by practical activities.
D. How to Reduce the Risks of Hazards likely to be encountered in pest control work
Presentation followed by practical activities.
E. Protecting Yourself with Paperwork
a. Producing a COSHH Assessment from the Product Label and the Material Safety Data Sheet desk top exercises in drawing up COSHH Assessments
b. Producing a Site Specific Risk Assessment – practical exercise.
c. Producing some Generic Risk Assessments – desktop exercises in common pest control scenarios.
d. Producing an Environmental Risk Assessment, following the CRRU ERA template – practical exercise
The course will involve students in presentations plus interactive sessions where the students will carry out Risk Assessments in actual and simulated situations. Students should bring wet weather clothing as some exercises will take place outside.