(1) The aim of this procedure is to meet the community’s general right to know about pesticide applications made to outdoor public places owned or controlled by the University. The Procedure allows members of Charles Sturt University (the University) and its general communities to take action to avoid potential contact with pesticides, if they wish. (2) This procedure has been prepared in accordance with the Pesticides Regulation 2017 where it is referred to as the Pesticide Use Notification Plan. (3) The University will ensure that pesticides are applied in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to persons or the environment. (4) This procedure sets out how the University will notify staff, students, visitors and members of the public of pesticide applications made by the University or its approved contractors, to places under its control. (5) The procedure describes: (6) This procedure states that the University only uses pesticides in public places when necessary to eliminate noxious weeds, to protect property from pest damage, and to protect users of public places from nuisance or danger. (7) The majority of pesticide use consists of applying herbicides for weed control and applying insecticides to manage certain insect pests. Bait insecticides are used for termites, and any control to protect structures and public safety, wherever this is considered as an effective solution. Other pesticides that may be used include fungicides, rodenticides, bird baits and large vertebrate baits. (8) This procedure supports the Facilities and Premises Policy. (9) This procedure provides information on the University’s use of pesticides in the following categories of outdoor public places: (10) All farm areas, including those used for teaching and research, are excluded from this procedure. (11) This procedure provides information on the University’s use of pesticides in the following categories of University buildings: (12) As part of this procedure, the Facilities Management (FM) has provided a summary of the type of pesticide typically used in different locations at each campus. Refer to the Campus Pesticide Application Plans. (13) This section of the procedure describes how and when the University will provide notice of pesticide use on University premises and in public places. These notification arrangements are based on the University’s assessment of: (14) Notice of pesticide applications will be provided by a combination of the methods below: (15) The University may use small quantities of some pesticide applications that are widely available in retail outlets and ordinarily used for domestic purposes (including home gardening). The University does not intend to provide notice for such pesticide applications, other than by way of this description in this procedure. This will also apply to minor control of indoor and outdoor insect pests using baits or aerosol spray cans, and spot weed control using a wand or hand-held spray bottle. (16) The University recognises the rights of adjoining landowners may be sensitive to pesticide residues. Pesticide application will be undertaken to prevent spray drift off University premises and prevent contamination of waterways, water reservoirs, tanks and sewers. (17) All pesticide application shall be conducted in an ecologically sensitive and sustainable manner to mitigate by-kill and maintain biodiversity on University campuses. (18) Pesticide application shall follow the SafeWork NSW, Safe Use of Pesticides Including Herbicides in Non-Agricultural Workplaces, Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW), and use the pesticide records templates provided in that Code of Practice. (19) An emergency pesticide application may be necessary on University premises to deal with biting or dangerous pests such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous spiders, fleas, bird mites or similar creatures. In these situations, the University will, where possible, provide notice by posting signs nearby at the time of the application. If this is not possible, the University will provide information via its website and signage that includes contact details. (20) Where the University uses contractors to apply pesticides on its behalf, the University will ensure that notification is made in accordance with the notification requirements of this procedure. Where persons or organisation hold an existing licence on University land that remains a public place, and if they use pesticides in this area, the University will still require notification in accordance with the requirements of this procedure. (21) In accordance with Part 5, Division 2, of the Pesticides Regulation 2017, notices of pesticide use must include all the following information: (22) Pesticide use warning signs will be of standardised designs that are clear and understandable by staff, students and the public attending University premises. (23) The Campus Facilities Manager, FM will: (24) Records are to be kept in accordance with the Pesticides Act 1999 and the Pesticides Regulation 2017 and the Safe Use of Pesticides Including Herbicides in Non-Agricultural Workplaces, Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW) 2006. (25) Chemical application records must be retained (as a paper record) for a minimum of three years. (26) Pesticide application records are also to be kept with the completed work orders in the FM's electronic maintenance system. (27) This procedure shall be reviewed every three years. The review shall include: (28) This procedure must be read in conjunction with the: (29) For further information about the University’s pesticide notification procedures, contact: (30) This procedure uses the same terms as defined in the Facilities and Premises Policy. For the purpose of this procedure, the following terms are also defined:Facilities and Premises Procedure - Pesticide Management and Notification
Section 1 - Purpose
Section 2 - Policy
Section 3 - Procedure
Locations covered by this procedure
Typical pesticide applications used on University premises
Notification arrangements
Emergency pesticide applications
Pesticide contractors and lessees of public places
What information will be provided
Communication with the University’s communities
Record keeping
Review of the procedure
Associated information
Contact details
Facilities Management
Telephone: +61 2 6338 6336
Email: dfm@csu.edu.au
Web address: Division of Facilities Management website
Campus maps: Division of Facilities Management – FMCentral web pageSection 4 - Glossary
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