Looking for a weed killer for use on forecourts.

Does anyone have any suggestions and will I need to training on the use of it? HSE states that a certifcate of competency must be obtained if used professionally. 

Hi Philip

To add to what AK has written, it is probably more effective to bring in the professionals than to decide who to train and then train them.

For starters, you need to know what weedkiller will work, which means identifying the weeds.

We have a problem at home with Spanish bluebells in our back garden. Bit like Japanese knotweed, I could hit them with e.g. Roundup for year after year and the weeds would simply continue to come back and spread further. 

[I don't have anything against the Spaniards but I don't like their invasive bluebells!!]

...and if your forecourt is a petrol one, you presumably wouldn't think it was OK to letting petrol seep into the ground - equally you shouldn't be allowing unnecessary quantities of pesticides get into the environment so this is for the professionals UNLESS you have a sufficient problem to justify investigating what is going to be needed and then decide that it warrants training up somebody inhouse to do what is necessary this year and looking ahead.

Thanks so its not just as simple as buying weed killer from B and Q in applying it?

Because its used in a professional enviornment I will need training ?

Unless you intend to change careers the suggeston is get the professional in as you are beyond the domestic environment. It's not only the training in selecting and applying the right product for the invasive species but also the insurance considerations covering employees (yourself), the general public (exposure) and company liability (spillages).

Or you can get a weed lance and burn away the offending greenery

https://www.diy.com/search?term=weed+lance Examples only - no affiliation

...with suitable hot works assessment.

For sure when using pesticides in a non-domestic setting, you'd need to complete a Pesticides Awareness (PA1) course and then depending on the application method, another course that addresses that. For example, PA6 for the use of knapsack spraying. 

In additon, you'd need to complete COSHH assessments for the specific pesticide that you decide to go with. They type of pesticide to use will depend on the weed as specified above, Roundup ProVantage or Synero is ideal for Japanese Knotweed although depending on the size of the stance, it may involve stem injection, excavation or simply spraying. Treatment methods vary for Knotweed vs Giant Hogweed for example.

If it's an invasive species, a domestic bought weedkiller will likely not do the job effectively unless it has glyphosate or another frowned-upon chemical in it, something like Rootblast available online via Amazon and the like. Problem being, it will kill everything including grass/trees, so it's important to be careful. Some industrial pesticides will only be sold to farmers or companies who have demonstrated a competency in using the producs. Hope this helps!

Edited by user 15 April 2023 12:25:09(UTC)  | Reason: Spelling Error

You do require a “certificate of competence”, which essentially records that you have completed an approved course on the safe use of weed killers. This will look at:

• Selection-picking the optimum product so that you don’t need to spray repeatedly and can use the minimum amount of product
• Safety- so that you are others are not exposed to risk, this is the COSHH bit.
• Environmental issues so you don’t harm pets, wildlife and pollute water course etc.
• How to store the  material safely and how to dispose of it.

It might be cheaper to get something off the internet but  if it goes wrong, you will leave yourself open to all sorts of grief.

Hi Chris

I think your starting point in terms of that all important Certificate of Competence is 

The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 (legislation.gov.uk)

....which regulations define "professional" use by reference to agriculture and other sectors.