The importance of knapsack servicing

Knapsack sprayers are often ignored and neglected for much of the year, when they’re not needed. But instead of letting them sit in the shed or workshop gathering dust, you should have them regularly checked and serviced – to not only adhere to legal requirements but also to have them ready for use.

Many still view knapsacks as exempt from regular testing and over the last 20 years, I have seen on numerous occasions sprayers that have not been cleaned/cleaned after use – with filters full of debris and dilute chemical left in the sprayer for extended periods of time. All these factors will contribute to the machine not working as expected; it increases the number of defects and faults because the chemicals will erode and eat away at the seals and metal components.

The primary excuse is “we don’t have the time to clean and service the machines”. But taking the machine out of service will lead to loss of time and money in finding the fault, then ordering and waiting for new part(s), as well as the time taken to repair and check before use.

As part of the ongoing attempt to raise awareness of the importance of checking knapsacks, the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) provides a free online hand-held routine check list designed to provide a written record for the operator which can be completed and handed to the employer to demonstrate compliance. This is further supported by Cooper Pegler and Berthoud professional sprayers which have stickers to be added to the tank to identify the machine and the date of inspection. (https://www.nsts.org.uk/Portals/1/Images/NSTS%20Handheld%20sprayer%20check%20list%20V_06_18_1.pdf)

Knapsack checks are straightforward and take very little time to complete, covering visual checks, looking for damage and defects followed by wet checks and calibration to ensure machine’s functionality and accuracy - something I consider essential with the growing cost of product and the need to ensure accurate application.

Despite the absence of mandatory testing under PPP(SU)R 2012, there is still a requirement under The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) Regulation 5 - Maintenance where equipment must be “maintained in an efficient state and good working order and in good repair”. A breach under PUWER (unlike PPP(SU)R2012) is subject to charges and if found to be in breach, you will have to pay for the time it takes the Health and Safety Executive to identify the breach and help you put it right, This includes investigating and taking enforcement action and is called fee for intervention (FFI). The FFI hourly rate is £154. In many cases the cost of a sprayer is less than the FFI rate and the cost to maintain, service and calibrate is far less.

As a move to aid compliance and to help with the checking and calibration of knapsack sprayers, Amenity Training and Consultancy along with spraying specialists Cooper Pegler and Berthoud, are planning a series of events at various locations throughout the UK later this year. Details will be posted via Twitter @amenitytraining @cooperpegler, @berthoud_uk