Agrichemical Safety Training – Growsafe and Certified Handler
Growsafe training is essential for anyone who works with agrichemicals. Certified Handler is a legal requirement for anyone managing agrichemicals in hazard classes 6.1A and 6.1B. NZSTI can help you with your certification requirements.
Growsafe training is essential for anyone who works with agrichemicals.
NZSTI is proud to have one of New Zealand’s longest serving Growsafe trainers as a part of our team who has taught the course to over 6,000 students since 1993!
Everyone who uses agrichemicals should attend a Growsafe course. The basic course is ideal for people who are new to working with agrichemicals and who work under supervision. Those who need to take responsibility for a workplace or for managing staff should complete the Growsafe Standard course.
Our training team hosts Growsafe training days around New Zealand at different times throughout the year.
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Training Requirements
GROWSAFE ® Basic Certificate
Who is this Certificate intended for?
This is an entry level certificate designed for:
- People working under supervision
- People who have no, or limited experience in agrichemical use
- People in pre-employment training
Benefits of the course
The focus of the course is on practical competence. This course provides practical, task-related knowledge and skills with a focus on safety. The emphasis is on following workplace procedures and label instructions.
Prerequisite requirements
There are no prerequisite requirements for this course.
Course delivery
A one day course (9am – 3pm) delivered face to face by qualified and experienced NZ Sports Turf Institute trainers. The course is a mixture of class room discussion and practical exercises.
Asessment
A GROWSAFE Basic Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of both written and practical assessments. There is a short written assessment which focuses on reading and understanding label instructions.
For the practical component of the assessment, there are practical tasks on the course and after the course trainees are required to undertake a spray activity and provide one completed spray diary and a GROWSAFE Verification of Practical Competency form completed by a supervisor/employer, confirming practical competency.
Unit standard 27215 – Prepare to apply, and apply, agrichemicals using hand held equipment is also offered however additional assessment requirements must be meet.
Endorsements
Reader/writer endorsements are available for this Certificate.
Timeframe for completion
All written and practical assessments must be completed within 3 months of the course date.
Certificate renewal requirements
The GROWSAFE Basic Certificate is valid for 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years before the expiry date, through attendance at a generic renewal course or online equivalent or by completing a higher level certificate such as the GROWSAFE Standard Certificate.
How do I register for the Course?
Fill in the contact form below and our training coordinator will contact you with further details.
GROWSAFE ® Standard Certificate
Who is this Certificate intended for?
This Certificate is designed for agrichemical applicators who:
- Are working independently (little or no supervision)
- Have responsibility for a single site/property
- May have responsibility for supervising/managing others.
They are likely operating in a known set of circumstances, e.g. one location, crop, and/or equipment type (or operating under supervision of someone with a higher level certificate).
The EPA Hazardous Substances (Hazardous Property Controls) Notice 2017 lists the GROWSAFE Standard Certificate as an acceptable qualification for a person other than a Contractor using ground-based application methods to apply highly ecotoxic agrichemicals.
Additionally, all regional plans specify that agrichemicals used in commercial operations such as farms, orchards, vineyards, forests, sports turf and amenity areas must be applied in accordance with NZS 8409:2004 . Most of these plans specify that users hold a GROWSAFE Certificate or equivalent training.
Benefits of the course
- Trained to apply agrichemicals in a safe, responsible and effective way with minimal adverse impact on human, environmental and animal health
- Awareness of the regulatory and market requirements relating to agrichemical use
- Awareness of their obligations under the various legislations that impact on the use of agrichemicals in New Zealand.
Prerequisite requirements
The GROWSAFE Basic Certificate (or equivalent knowledge) plus one year’s/one season’s spraying experience is a prerequisite for this course.
It is assumed all trainees will have a basic level of knowledge of agrichemicals and their use.
Course delivery
A one day course (8am – 4.30pm) delivered face to face by qualified and experienced NZ Sports Turf Institute trainers.
Asessment
A GROWSAFE Standard Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of both written and practical assessments.
The practical assessment requires the completion of the following:
- Copy of an agrichemical inventory for the workplace
- Eight completed spray diaries for eight independent spray events (i.e. different date, place or agrichemical) with sign off from supervisor/manager.
The following unit standards are also offered:
- Unit standard 21563 – demonstrate knowledge of the HSNO Act, and NZS 8409:2004 for the use of agrichemicals
- Unit Standard 27215 – prepare to apply, and apply, agrichemicals using hand held equipment
- Unit Standard 27216 – prepare to apply, and apply agrichemicals using motorised equipment
Additional assessment requirements must be meet for unit standards 27215 and 27216.
Endorsements
No endorsements are available for this Certificate.
Timeframe for completion
All written and practical assessments must be completed within 12 months of the course date.
Certificate renewal requirements
The GROWSAFE Standard Certificate is valid for 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years before the expiry date, through attendance at a generic renewal course or online equivalent.
Transition from old to new Certificate structure
Current holders of the GROWSAFE Introductory Certificate will not automatically transfer to the GROWSAFE Standard Certificate when they renew but will be required to pass the Standard renewal assessment.
If they do not successfully complete the renewal assessment, their certificate will be renewed at the Basic level.
Alternatively, they can opt to renew at the Basic GROWSAFE Certificate level.
Certified Handler Certificates
The holder of a Standard GROWSAFE Certificate will be eligible to apply for a Certified Handler Certificate. The process of becoming a Certified Handler will be discussed with individual trainees as required.
A Certified Handler’s Certificate is required for applicators of agrichemicals in 6.1A and 6.1B Hazard Classes under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
How do I register for the Course?
Fill in the contact form below and our training coordinator will contact you with further details.
