Growsafe Agrichemical Safety Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NZ regulations, what does the term 'withholding period' refer to in agrichemical application?
- The minimum time between last application and harvest or grazing (Correct answer)
- The time required to mix the chemical properly
- The period of storage before a chemical expires
- The waiting time between consecutive spray applications
Correct answer: The minimum time between last application and harvest or grazing
The withholding period is the minimum time that must pass between the last agrichemical application and when produce can be harvested or stock can graze on treated pasture, ensuring residue levels are safe.
Question 2: What does the GHS pictogram of a skull and crossbones indicate on an agrichemical label in New Zealand?
- Acute toxicity — may be fatal or cause serious harm (Correct answer)
- Environmental hazard to aquatic life
- The product is corrosive to metals
- The product is flammable
Correct answer: Acute toxicity — may be fatal or cause serious harm
The skull and crossbones pictogram under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS), which NZ follows, indicates acute toxicity — the substance may be fatal or cause serious harm if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
Question 3: In NZ, who is legally responsible for ensuring agrichemicals are stored correctly on a farm?
- The person in charge of the workplace (PCBU) (Correct answer)
- The chemical manufacturer only
- The local council inspector
- The Growsafe training provider
Correct answer: The person in charge of the workplace (PCBU)
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) — typically the farm owner or manager — is legally responsible for correct storage of hazardous substances.
Question 4: What is the NZ Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) required buffer zone purpose when applying agrichemicals near waterways?
- To prevent contamination of water bodies and protect aquatic life (Correct answer)
- To maximise spray coverage on crops
- To comply with irrigation requirements
- To protect the spray operator from drift exposure
Correct answer: To prevent contamination of water bodies and protect aquatic life
Buffer zones near waterways are required by the EPA to prevent agrichemical contamination of water bodies and protect aquatic ecosystems, which is critical in New Zealand's clean-water environment.
Question 5: According to Growsafe NZ training, what should be done with empty agrichemical containers?
- Triple-rinsed and returned through the Agrecovery programme (Correct answer)
- Buried on-farm in a deep pit
- Burned in an open fire to destroy residues
- Placed in standard household rubbish bins
Correct answer: Triple-rinsed and returned through the Agrecovery programme
In New Zealand, empty agrichemical containers should be triple-rinsed (with rinsate added back to the spray tank) and returned through the Agrecovery programme for proper recycling and disposal.
Question 6: What does 'spray drift' refer to in the context of NZ agrichemical application?
- Movement of spray droplets away from the target area by wind or air currents (Correct answer)
- The natural settling of spray on the crop canopy
- Leaching of chemicals through the soil profile
- Evaporation of chemicals from treated surfaces
Correct answer: Movement of spray droplets away from the target area by wind or air currents
Spray drift is the unintended movement of spray droplets away from the target area due to wind or air currents, which can cause contamination of neighbouring properties, waterways, and non-target organisms.
Growsafe Agrichemical Safety Fundamentals 2
Under NZ regulations, what does the term 'withholding period' refer to in agrichemical application?