Chemical User Training

Education promotes responsible chemical use. Rural Chemicals Program encourages all chemical users to participate in appropriate training activities in order to develop competency. Anyone who buys or uses pesticides that are classified as Schedule 7 poisons (labelled as Dangerous Poisons) must possess a prescribed qualification. Qualifications prescribed under the Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Regulations are:

• Current ChemCert SA accreditation. Contact ChemCert SA for further information. Phone 08 8842 4048 or visit www.chemcert.com.au (external site)
  
• Current SMARTtrain accreditation in chemical use. Phone Rural Solutions SA on 1300 364 322 for further information.
  
• Current Spray Solutions accreditation. Phone Regional Skills Training Pty Ltd on 8835 1362 for further information.
• Current ChemCert Vic accreditation, provided the holder has completed the SA legislation assessment. Phone ChemCert Victoria on 03 5622 2055 for further information.

Awareness of Hazardous Substances amongst Vietnamese and Cambodian Communities on the Adelaide Plains (2004–2006)

Rural Solutions SA managed this project with funding from WorkCover Grants Scheme. The objective was to raise awareness about safe use of hazardous substances amongst Vietnamese and Cambodian migrants on the Northern Adelaide Plains. These people, many of whom are disadvantaged by limited English language skills, were given an opportunity to participate in small group information sessions and other training activities. This training aimed to provide a basic understanding of hazardous substances, raise awareness of the issues related to their use and, consequently, minimise risks to the community and the environment.

The project produced educational resources about hazardous substances in English, Vietnamese and Khmer languages. Click on the following links to download these resources as PDF files.

Booklet - Raising awareness of hazardous substances

• English (.PDF)
• Vietnamese (.PDF)
• Khmer (.PDF)

Reference Card - Safety with hazardous substances

• English (.PDF)
• Vietnamese (.PDF)
• Khmer (.PDF)

Fact Sheet - Poisons in the house

• English (.PDF)
• Vietnamese (.PDF)
• Khmer (.PDF)

Alternatively, contact the Project Officer (David Stephenson) to request free hard copies of these resources.

Email: stephenson.david@saugov.sa.gov.au

Telephone: (08) 8226 0587 

Address: PIRSA Rural Chemicals Program, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001

 

Local Chemical Liaison Committees

Two groups currently operate in regional South Australia to promote community awareness and understanding of the need to achieve responsible agricultural chemical use. These are the Limestone Coast ChemCare Committee and the Eastern Fleurieu ChemCare Initiative.

Their role is:

• To assist in reducing misuse of agricultural chemicals
• To maximise the economic benefits and minimise unintended cost associated with use of agricultural chemicals
• To encourage the community to take ownership of its responsibility to use agricultural chemicals safely
• To take a pro-active and positive role in the community through education and the distribution of information to promote the safe and responsible use of agricultural chemicals

 

Limestone Coast ChemCare Committee

The Limestone Coast Region of SA supports a wide and expanding range of agricultural and horticultural enterprises. Best management practice for use of agricultural chemicals must be adopted to avoid conflicts between differing enterprises. The local community organisation now known as the Limestone Coast ChemCare Committee (LCCC) was formed in 1972 to highlight the risks of agricultural chemical use in the region and to provide a forum for industry issues. It has representatives from the following stakeholders: Beekeepers, Broadacre Cropping, Chemical Resellers, Floriculture, Grape Growers, Graziers, Local Government, Natural Resource Management Boards, Small Seed Producers, Spray Contractors, State Government (PIRSA and EPA), Tree Growers.

LCCC sponsors for 2007-08 are:

Gold: Commonwealth Bank, SE Natural Resources Management Board, Timbercorp (link to external sites)

Silver: Great Southern Ltd, Green Triangle Regional Plantation Committee, SA Apiarists Association (SE Branch) (link to external sites)

Bronze: Coonawarra Grapegrowers Association, Elders Ltd, Nufarm Ltd, PIRSA, Wrattonbully Wine Industries Association (link to external sites)

Contact the Secretary, Mark Bartetzko (phone 8735 1300) for further information.

Eastern Fleurieu ChemCare Initiative

This group formed in 2005 and is modelled on the LCCC. Contact Rod Karger (phone 8226 0371) for further information.