Chemicals safety course

Chemicals safety course

More than 25 people, including many local farmers, turned out last week for a two-day course to improve their knowledge of the safe and effective use of chemicals.

The accreditation course, run by AusChem Training WA, gives participants five-year certification for using chemicals before they have to take a refresher course.

AusChem Training WA executive manager Janis Hadley said sandalwood industry workers had boosted the number of people taking the course for the first time.

“It is important to perform a legal spray every time,” she said.

“If some chemical does move off target to cause damage and there is a claim for compensation against you, your insurance many not cover you if you have contravened a label instruction.”

AusChem trainer Lee Holland said safety for operators when using chemicals was a crucial aspect of the course, with labels on chemicals now essential.

Ms Holland identified different safety precautions in newly released Material Safety guides for chemicals commonly used in Kununurra.

She said they were designed to minimise spray drift.

For more details on the courses, visit www.auschemwa.com.au.