Managing the Risks

Once you’ve established what the risks of an agrichemical are, you are required to put in place appropriate measures to mitigate the risks.

• Substitution – can another pest control method be used, not involving agrichemicals?
• Can a safer agrichemical or formulation be used?
• What are the best handling procedures to reduce or minimise exposure? eg ensuring competent/trained operators, appropriate nozzle height, mixing practices, hygiene practices, PPE

Legislation, such as the HSNO Act, the ACVM Act and the Resource Management act, establishes rules for managing many of the risks of agrichemical use. The industry Code of Practice, NZS8409:2004 Management of Agrichemicals, incorporates the requirements of the legislation and documents good practice. This manual is based on NZS8409.