Storage, Handling and Disposal

Pesticides must be stored in compliance with relevant Ordinances and Regulations. In particular, requirements under the Pesticides Ordinance, Cap. 133 must be met. Chemicals should be kept in secure, well ventilated storage areas with adequate fire control and spillage containment facilities.

A responsible person at the appropriate level should be appointed to receive pesticide deliveries and to ensure prompt transport to the established storage facility. He will also ensure all deliveries are in original, undamaged containers.

Any waste chemicals and/or containers should be disposed of through a licenced waste collector in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulations.

Planning Pesticide Use

When any turf grass problem occurs, the cause must first be correctly identified. If the cause is found to be a pest, non-chemical control methods should initially be considered (e.g. hand weeding). If these are not applicable, the safest (in terms of human exposure and effects on the environment) effective chemicals should be considered. When making such decisions, it is recognized that not all chemicals registered in Hong Kong are necessarily recommended for use in turf grass management. At all times, long term effects, as well as short term controls, should be considered when selecting pesticides and chemicals should be chosen which best fit into an Integrated Pest Management programme.

Once a chemical has been identified, formulation and concentration should be selected to maximize effect against the target while minimizing risk of affecting non-target organisms and the environment. Before any control programme is initiated, the safety rules as advocated by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department in their leaflet on "Safe Use of Agricultural Pesticides" should be considered.

d) Pesticide Application

11. It is the responsibility of the turf grass manager to ensure that all applications of pesticides are in accordance with the product label instructions. Following such instructions (which should be in English and Chinese) will ensure the safe and effective delivery of the chemical to the target. The guidelines laid down in AFCD advisory leaflet should be followed and from that, a pesticide operation manual be developed, including a checklist of do's and don'ts in pesticide use.

Protective Clothing and Personnel Health

Management will provide appropriate protective clothing for pesticide applicators and ensure that it is worn when chemicals are being handled as recommended on the specific product label or material safety data sheet. Management should also arrange for annual medical examinations of their pesticide applicators.

Posting Notices

As an integral part of the pesticide application process, management will ensure notices are put up informing the turf grass users of product application to the turf. Prior to the application, notices should be posted at prominent place(s) and could include details on the pesticide and where it will be applied.

Periodic Survey

A periodic survey should be conducted on managed turf grass to assess the possibility of chemical residues. Survey locations should be selected to reflect the different management regimes on different playing surfaces.

Record Keeping

Records should be kept on pesticide stocks, analytical data and pesticide use. Turf grass managers should also keep reference material such as copies of relevant Ordinances, material safety data sheets and label information.