Spraysafe
Operation Spray Safe is a AAAA initiative which aims for continuing improvement and professionalism in the application of agricultural chemicals by aircraft.
Operation Spraysafe was initiated in early 1985 when the AAAA convened a meeting with aircraft operators, chemical companies, the Departments of Primary Industries, Agriculture, Environment and conservation groups. At this meeting it was identified that the agricultural industry needed an initiative to establish increased professionalism and a framework for continuing improvement in the application of agricultural chemicals by aircraft.
The Operation Spraysafe campaign commenced with the following priorities:
- education and training of industry personnel,
- an accreditation program for aircraft operators,
- to take control of our own industry in the eyes of the regulatory authorities and the general public and;
- to educate all our clients with regard to aerial application.
To ensure a solid scientific basis to the education of pilots, operators and clients, AAAA published a "Pilots and Operators Manual". This 270-page manual provides the agricultural pilot with the required guidance necessary for them to avoid off-target contamination and a detailed knowledge of the chemicals in use and their effect on the environment.
Spraysafe Order Form
To order a Spraysafe manual or sign up for a pilot or loader/ mixer Spraysafe exam, please download the Spraysafe Order Form from our 'Order Form' tab at the left of this page and fax or post this application with payment to the AAAA office.
The New Spraysafe
AAAA completely reviewed the Spraysafe program during 2001, and maintains an ongoing quality assurance review to ensure that it remains a relevant program that continues to enjoy the confidence of clients, related industries and government regulators. Input and support for the major 2001 review was received from all State regulators (the relevant Departments of Ag./ Primary Industry/ Health or EPAs) as well as Agsafe and others with an interest in our industry. Ongoing reviews also seek the views of key regulators.
In summary, the Spraysafe program now features:
- a baseline self-audit
- periodic renewals
- an independent surveillance audit program of 20 per cent annually of accredited operators
- re-qualification requirements following loss of accreditation
- a requirement to advise AAAA of any significant change to activities
- improved pilot accreditation assessment that has been independently reviewed as meeting all of the national competancies for chemical application at better than AQF level 3.
- a revised fee structure
Accreditation Levels Under Spraysafe
Accreditation of Operators
Operators are required to meet stringent guidelines in order to achieve Spraysafe accreditation, including a full inspection of the operators' facilities. Initial accreditation requires the completion of an independent evaluation of the facilities and systems of the company against the AAAA Spraysafe checklist.
Renewed accreditation requires the completion of an periodic self-assessment checklist.
These self-assessments are supported by a surveillance audit program that audits 20% of accredited operators each year. More than 80 operators have been accredited with Spraysafe.
Accreditation of Pilots
Agricultural pilots are required to have a comprehensive knowledge of industry-related issues and practices. Pilots are examined on their knowledge of the 270 page "Pilots and Operators Manual" with a two hour exam. This exam is externally supervised, returned to and marked by the AAAA office. The pass rate required is 70%, and upon successful completion of the exam a certificate is issued to the pilot. To date, over 700 pilots have successfully completed the Spraysafe exam.
The pilots' Spraysafe accreditation has also been reviewed with the Professional Pilot Program, adding a three-year currency requirement to the accreditation.
Accreditation of Loader / Mixers
In order to facilitate correct procedures on the ground, loaders and mixers (ground support staff) have been assisted with the correct methods of handling chemicals via the second manual produced by AAAA, the "Chemical Handling Manual for Agricultural Aviation". The loader / mixers are tested on their knowledge of this manual, examined for two hours and receive certification upon successfully completing the exam. Again the pass rate is 70% and 119 have so far been accredited.
Both the "Pilots and Operators Manual" and the "Chemical Handling Manual" were comprehensively reviewed and updated in 1998 by the University of Queensland's Centre for Pesticide Application and Safety (CPAS).
A further initiative of the Association under Spraysafe has been the education of our clients - farmers, farm advisers and consultants. Farmers needed education regarding correct aerial application techniques to ensure that no agricultural pilot or operator is pressured into applying chemicals under adverse or unsafe conditions.
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