Risk assessment requirements Information needed Information able to be used for task verification Pilot Management 1 Application site ( target) Location and boundaries GIS dated photograph Hand-written diagram or map, verbal Application plan with map detailing location and boundaries 2 Sensitive area Nature of and location with respect to application area GIS dated photograph Hand-written diagram or map Verbal only if task is low risk Sensitive areas identified and actions taken to avoid adverse effects 3* Wind direction Direction (bearing) at the application site at the time Digital recording wind vane/sensor with time base Hand held vane or equivalent Smoke or other visual indicators Adjacent to sensitive areas only when wind is away from sensitive areas and wind speed is steady 4* Wind speed at the application site at the time Digital recording wind vane/sensor with time base Hand held anemometer or equivalent Adjacent to sensitive no application when wind speed exceeds the limits according to the risk.
or other visual indicators 5 Particle size Physical properties of the product being applied Documented record of particle size and size range, and stability, ie volatility (liquid) or fragmentation (solid) Adjacent to sensitive areas, physical properties of the product must be such that trajectory after release is predictable 6 Product hazard HSNO Hazard classifications and controls Product selected taking account of HSNO class and the sensitive locations, all documented Extra care taken if using Class 6.1 A, 6.1B, 6.1C, 9.1A, 9.2A, 9.3A , 9.4A adjacent to sensitive areas. 7 Effective height of release of product Application method Including lateral spreading vs localised Application equipment selected to minimise product losses between the point of release and the target all fully documented Product directed to the target at all times 8 Product hazard HSNO classification, Bio-accumulation, water solubility and attributes relevant to potential adverse effects Product selected according to application task, taking account of Choose least hazardous product suitable for the task at-
HSNO class, efficacy and other attributes and the at-risk sensitive locations, all according to written prescriptions documented 9* Buffer zone Downwind application free zone Location of application target and sensitive area and logged, confirmed, product quality, and wind direction known and drift modelling done Adjacent to sensitive areas, application only when wind is away from sensitive areas and is a steady wind speed 10 Shelter belts Nature of and location with respect to application area Location of application target and sensitive area known and logged, confirmed, product quality, and wind direction known and drift modelling done As above but also operation planned to take account of hazards associated with shelter trees and structures.
6.1 Risk management approach for aerial application of fertiliser Potential adverse effects Risk factor Exposure pathway Pilot Management options Options for plan provisions and consent conditions Refer to Appendix A Health effects which may include: Allergic reactions Irritations Toxic poisoning Hazard class of chemical (substance) being used and exposure to it(Class 6 and 9) Indirect: Off target drift or dust Direct: Applications to area through handling and loading Indirect: Minimising potential for drift – technical options (Refer *) Direct: PPE management of loading and handling operations Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options Classify dwellings, educational facilities and public places as sensitive areas (drift hazard of fines) Contamination of crops and plants including sensitive crops and organically farmed properties. Effects include: Growth and quality of the crop; or Threatens organic registration Fertiliser type: Excessive residue levels Timing of application Crop stage Application rate – calibration Drift Indirect: Off target drift Indirect: Minimising potential for drift – technical options (Refer *) Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options Classify crops and plants as sensitive areas Contamination of domestic or commercial water supplies where it renders the drinking water Fertiliser hazard and type: Hazard classes Indirect: Off target drift Direct: Applications to area Indirect: Minimising potential for drift – technical options (Refer *) Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options Classify water bodies/ drinking water supplies as sensitive areas It may be appropriate to include conditions for some
applications over or near such areas Contamination of indigenous fauna, habitat areas and reserves where the inherent values of these areas are damaged or lost. Ecotoxicity of fertiliser: 9.3A and 9.4A Poor/no target identification Fertiliser quality (particle size and stability) Indirect: Off target drift Direct: Applications to area Indirect: Minimising potential for drift – technical options (Refer *) Target site ID (GPS) Ensure that fertiliser quality is appropriate to minimise potential for drift Require site identification as part of risk assessment Classify as sensitive Controls by hazard classification (eg 9.3 and 9.4) Contamination of wetlands, surface water bodies, and coastal and marine environments where it causes: Death of fish or flora and fauna Water takes affected leading to un-potable water or damage to crops and animals Fertiliser type and hazard class 9.1A, 9.3A or 9.4A 6.1A, 6.1B, and 6.1C: Application rates Location of application and proximity to water take points Inappropriate disposal Poor/no target identification No ID of at-risk water bodies Non-point fertiliser - dust Indirect: Applications adjacent to bodies – off target drift or overland flow Disposal adjacent to water Direct: Applications into water Spillages/ overflows at mixing sites Disposal to water Management measures for loading Follow requirements All reasonable measures must be taken to avoid discharges to surface water bodies – risk assessment to establish appropriate measures Use of fertiliser with good ballistic properties (particle size). Require that loading sites in proximity to waterbodies be managed to contain spillages Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options, including identification of sensitive areas Require that all reasonable measures are taken to avoid discharges to surface water bodies Classify water bodies as sensitive areas Require that label requirements are followed
Contamination of groundwater Concentration of fertiliser and application rates Soil type – highly permeable and fertilisers that are mobile Indirect: Leaching through soil Direct: Spillages/ overflows at loading Inappropriate disposal Direct and indirect: Inappropriate disposal of wastes Management of loading Ensure that client has established appropriate rate, concentration gradient for the soil profile Methods of disposal Require that loading sites in proximity to wellheads be managed to ensure that spillages are contained Contamination of soils/ land Fertilisers that are, or contain substances not mobile in soil Inappropriate application Inadequate containment at loading Indirect: Permeability – moves nutrients through soil profile but contaminants eg: Cd and F remain bound to soil particles Direct: Frequency and rate of application of fertiliser Follow use requirements Ensure that client has established appropriate rate, for the soil profile Loading sites, and storage Require that use requirements are followed Ensure management of loading sites to contain spillages Amenity values Proximity of people – timing and location Indirect: Off target drift Direct: Minimising potential for drift – technical options (Refer *) Classify amenity areas as sensitive areas Plan provisions relating to reverse sensitivity in rural
7.1 Risk management approach for aerial application of agrichemicals Potential adverse effects Risk factors Exposure pathway Pilot Management options Options for plan provisions and consent conditions to Appendix A Health effects caused or possible: Allergic reactions Irritations poisoning Exposure to carcinogens and teratogens Hazard class of chemical being used and exposure (Class 6 and 9) Indirect: Off target drift Direct: Applicator Indirect: Minimising potential for – technical options Notification (drift hazard) Direct: PPE Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options Classify dwellings, educational facilities and public places as sensitive areas Require notification application adjacent to sensitive areas Contamination of crops and plants including sensitive crops and organically farmed properties. Effects include: Growth and quality of the crop Contamination to levels in excess of residue levels Threatens organic registration Chemical type (herbicide, insecticide, fungicide etc) Excessive residue levels Timing of application – crop stage Application rate (calibration) Indirect: Off target drift Minimising potential for drift – technical options Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options including identification of sensitive crops and methods to avoid drift onto those areas Classify crops and non-target plants as sensitive areas Require notification to greenhouse operations in the area Contamination of domestic or commercial Chemical type and hazard class Indirect: Off target Minimising potential for – technical options Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options
supplies where it renders the drinking water non-potable Direct: Discharges Classify water supplies as sensitive areas It may be appropriate to include conditions to avoid direct applications over such areas Contamination of indigenous flora and fauna, habitat areas and reserves where the inherent values of the areas are damaged or lost Ecotoxicity of substance 9.3A and 9.4A Poor or no target identification Spray quality Indirect: Off target drift Direct: Applications Minimising potential for drift – technical options Target site ID (GPS) Controls by hazard classification eg 9.3 and 9.4. Require site identification as part of risk assessment Require operator risk assessment to ensure use of appropriate technical options Classify as sensitive areas Controls by hazard classification (eg 9.3 and 9.4) Contamination of wetlands, surface body and coastal and marine environments where it causes: Death of flora, fish or other fauna Water takes affected leading to un-potable water or damage to crops and animals Chemical type and hazard class 9.1A, 9.3A or 9.4A 6.1A, 6.1B or 6.1C Concentration of chemical and application rates Location of application in Indirect: Applications adjacent to water bodies – off target drift or overland flow Disposal adjacent to water Minimising potential for drift – technical options Target site ID (GPS) Controls by hazard classification eg 9.3 and 9.4. Management measures of mixing sites Require reasonable measures be taken to avoid discharges to surface water bodies unless for intended aquatic use and operator risk assessment undertaken to establish reasonable measures and ensure use of appropriate technical options