BASIS Advanced Amenity Contractors Certification Scheme (BACCS )

BASIS ® Advanced Amenity Contractors
Certification Scheme
(BACCS ® )
A Scheme for Contractors Providing Professional Pesticide Services
and Advice in the Amenity/ Industrial Sector
BACCS MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
Including Associate Membership for Local Authority and Corporate
Company Clients.
December 2010
BACCS, BASIS and Amenity Assured are registered trademarks of BASIS (Registration) Limited. All rights reserved.
1

Objectives 3
Data Protection Act 1998 4
Terms of Reference 5
Entry Requirements 6
Scheme Criteria 7
The Audit Process 10
Code of Ethics
Whistle Blowing Policy
12
13
Disciplinary Code 14
Local Authority / Government Agency Associate Membership 17
Corporate / Industrial Associate Membership 18
Membership Fees & Charges 19
Your Questions Answered 20
Explanatory Notes 22
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OBJECTIVES
To provide a means of recognising, through the certification scheme, suitably qualified,
accredited contractors and their staff, as professionals in amenity pesticide application and
related activities that would be recognised both within the Industry, by the general public
and local and national government.
By maintaining competence through suitable training of individuals involved in pesticide
application.
By ensuring professional conduct of contractors through a recognised certification scheme
monitored by annual assessments and on-site verification visits.
By requiring contractors to recognise and abide by the Code of Ethics and Disciplinary
Systems.
For clarity, the activities of the scheme will embrace all pesticides, not only those in the
amenity sector but also those in the agricultural field of use, as identified in the Food &
Environment Protection Act 1985 and the Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations
1997.
To broaden the approach to the improvement, establishment and maintenance of the
operating standards in the Amenity Pesticide Sector, BASIS (Registration) Ltd has combined
standards and compliance criteria with NPTC and the National Association of Agricultural and
Amenity Contractors (NAAC).
With effect from 2007 those advanced Amenity Contractor companies who meet the audit
compliance requirements set out on page 10 in this booklet and the other membership
requirements of the 3 organisations, will qualify as AMENITY ASSURED contractors.
The AMENITY ASSURED Scheme has been agreed and is supported by the Chemicals
Regulation Directorate, the Environment Agency, the Crop Protection Association and the
Amenity Forum. It has been presented to government and agreed as a positive scheme to
ensure that advanced contractors are distinguished and recognised by the achievement of
AMENITY ASSURED status. BACCS membership is an essential & vital part of the AMENTIY
ASSURED Scheme.
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Data Protection Act 1998
The provision of certain information which may be requested from time to time, or derived
from reports and questionnaires, to ensure the continued success of the BACCS ® scheme,
may constitute Personal Data under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Where the information does so constitute Personal Data, it will be necessary for contractors
and individuals to consent to its use by BASIS ® for the purposes of the BASIS Advanced
Amenity Contractor Certification Scheme.
You will also recognise that for the furtherance and continued success of the scheme, BASIS
may be required to disclose any, or all, of this information to Associate members and other
third parties from time to time.
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TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. To establish and maintain a list of Amenity Contractors qualified to a standard
appropriate for the undertaking of professional duties in Amenity Pest and Vegetation
Management and related activities recognized, both within the Industry, by the
general public and local and national government.
2. To establish and maintain a system for the election of the Committee that recognises
the wide range of persons in the Industry relevant to the BACCS Scheme; to include 3
contractor representatives elected by the membership, 2 representatives nominated
by the CPA Amenity Committee, 2 representatives from Client Associate membership,
1 Independent Chairman, 1 representative from Corporate membership.
The Committee will meet 3 or 4 times a year as required.
Elections will take place every 3 years.
3. The Committee will have the facility to co-opt representatives of other organisations
(e.g. EA, HSE, etc.) when necessary to attend meetings where relevant topics are
discussed.
4. To encourage the maintenance of standards through suitable training, of individuals
involved in pesticide application.
5. To ensure standards of service and professional conduct are monitored regularly,
through the BASIS assessment and On-Site Verification Visits.
6. (1) To establish and monitor financial plans for the BACCS Scheme.
(2) To establish the fee structure for the BACCS Scheme subject to approval by the
Board of BASIS (Registration) Ltd, through the BASIS Logistics Committee.
7. To publish the 'Pass' list, disseminate and make available information to members,
Associate members and Corporate members on request.
8. To establish a Code of Ethics and Scheme Criteria for members of the Scheme and
maintain a means of enforcing it through a Disciplinary Committee or such other
means as the Committee shall consider suitable for either general or specific cases.
9. To discipline and, if necessary, remove any member from the Scheme for a breach of
the Code of Ethics or Scheme Criteria in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedure.
10. To report to the Board of BASIS (Registration) Limited on its activities, through the
Logistics Committee, and seek the Board’s agreement to any changes in policy,
through its Chairman who is a member of that Board.
11. The Committee will elect a minutes secretary from members present at the meetings.
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Entry Qualifications – Full Members
The scheme is open to all qualified individuals (who work independently) or qualifying
companies who provide a contract application service.
Individuals/ companies will be accepted for membership of the scheme subject to complying
with the following conditions.
1. All potential full members will be required to complete an application for membership
indicating their qualifications and details of involvement within the industry.
2. All potential company members must be registered with the BASIS (Registration)
Scheme.
3. The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection (Amenity Horticulture), and the BASIS
Certificate in Crop Protection (Agriculture) are both recognised qualifications for
selling (to the end user in the form of the product itself, or as a service) and offering
advice on Amenity Crop Protection products.
NPTC qualifications (PA1, PA2 etc) are recognised as qualifications for operatives
applying amenity pesticides. All sprayer operatives must have an appropriate
Certificate of Competence.
4. Companies and individuals must have paid the BASIS registration fee and BACCS
membership fee. The registration year is 1 January to 31 December.
5. All Contractors will be required to complete a staff audit form listing qualifications of
all staff including NPTC numbers for all operatives.
6. All full members of the scheme will be entitled to use the designatory letters after
their name:
BACCS Approved Contractor - BAC (Amenity Pesticides)
Provisional Membership
All individuals (who work independently) or qualifying companies who provide a contract
application service become provisional members upon initial registration for the scheme.
Individuals or qualifying companies remain provisional members of the scheme until they
have passed their first on-site audit.
This may not take place for several months.
Individuals or qualifying members wishing to progress to full membership may pay for an
additional and immediate on-site audit, which if successful would enable them to progress to
full membership status.
Following successful on-site and store audits the member will be added to the BACCS
membership list.
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Rationale:
Scheme Criteria
All members of BACCS have made some investment in order to meet the criteria for
membership and therefore, to protect and ensure a return on this investment, it is essential
that BACCS is seen by the industry, and especially by the client, as a guarantee of
“excellence”.
This will mean that all members must perform at a level which is recognised as above the
industry standard. It will also mean that where individual members allow standards to fall,
the impact will be to lower the credibility of BACCS as a whole.
The introduction of a Disciplinary Code is therefore essential to the continued success of the
scheme and the members who support it.
Key Issues:
There are two main areas for the assessment of standards; the first is the store / office
assessment which includes the standard BASIS assessment. This is Part 1 of the BACCS audit
and must be passed in order to achieve a successful conclusion with a ‘Pass Certificate’.
Part 2 is the on-site verification visit, which is assessed using a points system for various
categories, as given below.
The score for each section must be at least 75% of the marks allocated for that section with
the final score at least 80% of the total score for the on site visit.
The section related to ‘Client satisfaction’ is regarded as perhaps the most important section
and major faults or problems in this area will be treated as giving the most cause for
concern.
The key issues need to be viewed from the client’s viewpoint.
Two main considerations must be Public Safety and Quality Performance.
• Public Safety
I. To ensure compliance with relevant legislation, such as FEPA, COPR
(as amended), Health & Safety at Work Act (and any relevant
regulations there under), Road Traffic Act, Code of Practice for
Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture Horticulture & Forestry (Yellow
Code), Code of Practice for using Plant Protection Products.
II. To ensure that all sprayer operators possess appropriate certificates
of competence, e.g. NPTC certificates.
III. To ensure that equipment used is designed to minimise
contamination of the operator, general public, wildlife, water and
the environment.
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IV. To ensure the use of approved products which are least harmful to
humans, water, and the environment, in relation to the efficacy
required e.g. COSHH assessments, Site Specific Risk Assessment,
Environmental Information Sheets etc.
• Quality Performance
I. To use only sprayer operators who are fully trained and possess
recognised certificates of competence (NPTC etc).
II. To ensure full compliance with the minimum performance standards
as detailed by the contract (and the Codes of Practice)
Quality Assurance Achieved By Continual Assessment of Standards:
Regular monitoring of the standards of service provided by the members will be carried out
through the BASIS Assessments and On-Site Verification Visits. However a key indicator will
be customer comments (or complaints). The aim is to concentrate on practical issues,
which may affect the operational standards of completing a contract, to full customer
satisfaction within the legal guidelines already in place within the Codes of Practice.
Members must ensure that operators and supervisors are trained in calibration techniques for
the equipment which they are required to use.
All operators should regularly conduct calibration checks to ensure that approved rates are not
being exceeded.
A record of all calibration checks should be maintained by operators and kept available for
inspection by the BASIS Assessor and client officers.
Operators should keep with them at all times, their NPTC certification reference number, and
date of issue for production upon demand by the BASIS Assessor, client officers or members
of the general public.
Members support vehicles should carry a register of all complaints received, detailing source,
name and address of complainant, location, date and time and the nature of the incident /
allegation.
When using quad-bikes, operators must at all times comply with the requirements of current
road traffic regulations.
Attention will be given to:
Public Safety
Environmental Safety (especially water contamination)
Operator Safety
Correct Application / Calibration
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The following criteria are incorporated to address these areas to which points have been
allocated within the assessment as follows:
Operator Information (& supervision if non-certificated) 35 points
Instructions to Operators 25 points
PPE available or worn when operator seen (perhaps working?) 30 points
Equipment required on applicator or support vehicle 25 points
Operating Unit 15 points
Calibration 20 points
Client satisfaction – feedback 50 points
Total points for assessment 200 points
The section on Client Satisfaction will be assessed according to a set of questions upon which
the Client Officer (or equivalent) will be invited to comment, once the work has been
completed.
Any other comments made during the interview, whether positive or negative, will be recorded
and kept with the reports to complete the evaluation.
Associate Members of the scheme will be given access to these reports as detailed in the
scheme booklet.
The value of BACCS certification is increasing and it is becoming a key selection issue when
tenders for work are submitted and contracts are awarded. One of the objectives of the
BACCS Scheme is for the certificate awarded to each compliant company to be meaningful and
to earn preferential commercial positions for that company. It is therefore vital that the BACCS
standards are achieved and maintained by all BACCS registered contractors.
This is also the case if work is sub-contracted out. It is recognised that sometimes work has to
be sub-contracted to another contractor and in these cases the following rules apply:
1. Prior to using a non-BACCS registered contractor, a BACCS member must :-
a) Inform Lindsay Smith at the BASIS office (01335 340851) of the intent to use a subcontractor,
when and where they will be operating. Then either:
b) Ensure the sub-contractor registers to be a BACCS member with immediate effect (pays
the appropriate fee and is subject to audit as soon as possible).
OR
c) the existing BACCS member (referred to herein as the ‘Parent’) will guarantee the
standard of ware of his sub-contractor(s) by:-
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Registering an audit form per sub contractor and completing it then returning it to
Lindsay Smith at the BASIS office within 1 month.
Sending a letter to BASIS (as above) from the Managing Director of the parent
company to personally verify that a thorough audit has been completed for each
sub-contractor and that they are fully compliant with the BACCS standards.
Send the appropriate subcontractor enrolment fee per sub-contractor, to the BASIS
office within 1 month.
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The normal BACCS audit process will operate at random, as usual, and may well independently
audit a sub-contractor as part of the normal “parent” audit process.
If a BACCS member is found from market intelligence or client information or random audit to
be using non-enrolled sub-contractors, the member will be suspended with immediate effect.
If the proper procedure is not put in place in the following 14 days then the clients of the
“parent” contractor will be informed that the work being carried out for them, may not be of
BACCS standard.
If after 28 days the “parent” has not corrected the situation and put the proper enrolment in
place then the “parent” member will be disconnected from BACCS accreditation.
The Audit Process
The audit for BACCS accreditation is in 3 parts:
On site audit
Independent random visits are made to BACCS registered contractors for audit purposes,
usually between March and October each year. The visits are particularly to assess on-site,
practical operations whilst contract work is being undertaken.
Audit assessments are made to a standard format with any non-compliance issues being
recorded under 3 broad headings:
-Major non-compliance- of a legal or important safety nature- correction required
immediately.
-Other major non-compliance- correction required
-minor non-compliance
All companies will receive a report of their own on-site audit with recommendations for
actions required to meet compliance standards.
Companies that meet on-site compliance standards will achieve interim BACCS accreditation.
Client Audit
During the season, each client of BACCS members will be part of the audit process.
Independent random contact will be made with member clients to determine the level of
satisfaction with work that has been conducted that year by the BACCS member (or enrolled
sub-contractor) any areas of problems, call backs, public issues or complaints are noted as is
the corrective action taken by the member, if indeed any is required.
Inspection Audit
To ensure that the appropriate records, storage, vehicles, staff training, COSHH and other
safety requirements are in place, each contractor member will also be visited by a BASIS
Store Inspection Scheme Assessor. The establishment of correct procedures and safety
regimes is also a key part of the audit process, and so is part of the compliance assessment.
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Overall Compliance
When a contractor member has achieved on-site client and inspection compliance then they
will be a fully recognised and accredited BACCS members for the year.
Since 2007 the audit process has been broader than previously to incorporate NPTC criteria
and the code of conduct for the NAAC. Therefore full compliance with all criteria met, will
mean that the contractor is an accredited BACCS member and a qualified member if the
AMENITY ASSURED Scheme which is explained at the front of this membership guide.
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Code of Ethics
This Code, to which all members of BACCS prescribe, is designed to set the standards of
professional conduct for contractors and advisers who are registered with the scheme. The
Code concerns the use and advice of amenity pesticide products, including Pesticides 1
formulated for professional use, as identified under the Food and Environment Protection Act
1985 (FEPA) and the Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 1997.
No Code of Ethics can provide for all eventualities; all members of the scheme should order
their affairs such that they always uphold the dignity of the Amenity/Industrial Pesticide
Industry. The rules set out below are designed to assist members in the achievement of
appropriate professional conduct:
1. At all times a member must ensure that the advice given, and any sales of product or
contracting service resulting from it, is in accordance with current legislation and, in
particular:
a) Has due regard to any environmental impact;
b) Gives priority to the health and safety of those that purchase/use the products
and supply the services concerned, and the general public.
2. Members shall respect the confidentiality of information relating to a customer/
client/employer.
3. Members shall maintain awareness of progress and knowledge in their roles as pesticide
practitioners in order to maintain a high standard of professional competence relative to
their sphere of activity in line with the BACCS scheme.
4. Members shall publicise their professional service with dignity and not create an invidious
distinction between other members nor bring the profession into disrepute.
5. Members shall co-operate with professional colleagues so that customers/clients, the
public and the environment may benefit.
6. A member should carry out his/her professional work with a proper regard for the
technical and professional standards expected of him/her. A member should not
undertake professional work that he/she is not competent to perform.
7. Members should be directly responsible for all contracts undertaken and any subcontracting
of pesticide application work should be only to a registered BACCS contractor.
8. Members should note that failure to comply with the Code may lead to disciplinary action,
including suspension or removal from the Scheme, in accordance with the Disciplinary
Code of the Scheme.
1 “Pesticide” means any substance, preparation or organism prepared or used for controlling any pests, unwanted
vegetation and plant disease (as defined in FEPA s16(15)).
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Whistle Blowing Policy
BASIS (Registration) Ltd is committed to the highest standards of openness and
accountability. Therefore, we expect employees, candidates and others who work with BASIS
who have serious concerns about any aspect of our work to voice those concerns.
To this effect BASIS has a Whistle Blowing Policy for BASIS Approved Trainers, Examiners
and Candidates. This procedure is designed to allow concerns of a public interest kind within
BASIS to be raised, investigated and where appropriate, acted upon. Complaints may be
made by any member of staff, candidate or those contracted to provide services to BASIS.
The full Whistle Blowing Policy can be found here;
To view the full Whistle Blowing Policy go to;
http://www.basis-reg.co.uk/media/documents/430/index.html
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BACCS : Disciplinary Code
Objective:
The key objective of introducing a Disciplinary Code is to ensure that the high standards set
by the criteria for membership of the scheme are maintained. The aim is to encourage
continuous attention to safe and accurate application and safe and appropriate working
practices.
Disciplinary Action:
This is divided into three sections:
Assessment Faults
1. Faults in Part 1, the office / store assessment, including the standard BASIS assessment.
2. These faults will be itemised in a report and if corrected within a reasonable time, should
not prevent the issue of either the BASIS certificate or the BACCS ‘Pass Certificate’.
3. Serious faults will however result in a ‘Fail’ for the store and consequently for the BACCS
assessment as a whole.
4. Faults in Part 2, the On-site Verification Visit will be assessed according to the points
system described under ‘Scheme Criteria’ and if they fall below the pass criteria as
described, will result in a ‘Fail’ for the assessment as a whole.
5. Any member failing the assessment would have a temporary suspension of membership
until proven remedial action had been taken.
6. Failure to correct the weakness / shortfall within a specified period would result in a
failure for that season, and suspension from the BACCS ‘Pass List’.
7. Where the failure is due to a low score in Part 2, the member may elect to undertake a
second on-site verification visit, at his own expense.
8. Where the second on-site visit is successful, the member will receive a ‘Pass’ certificate,
though both on-site reports will be kept on file.
9. If the second on-site visit is not successful, the member will not receive a ‘Pass’
certificate, nor appear on the ‘BACCS Pass List’.
10. A ‘Pass’ certificate will be issued in January of each year, related to a successful outcome
of the previous years’ assessment, (i.e. 2011 ‘Pass’ certificate relates to assessments in
2010).
11. Although in order to pass the BACCS assessment, a contractor must achieve a ‘Pass’ in
the standard BASIS assessment, it is not necessary to pass BACCS to achieve a pass in
the BASIS assessment.
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Client Satisfaction / Complaints
1. Comments received from clients, and the results of the client questionnaires, will be
taken very seriously in any disciplinary procedures against a contractor.
2. The Disciplinary Committee may solicit comments and evidence of the contractor’s
performance from clients other than the complainant, or the client concerned with the
on- site visit, for that season’s assessment.
3. Complaints received from clients which are unrelated to an on-site visit, will also be
investigated and may lead to disciplinary procedures against the contractor concerned.
Breaches of the Code of Ethics
1. Allegations, of a breach of the Code of Ethics, will be investigated by the BACCS
Chairman and or BASIS Managing Director
2. Should the BACCS Chairman or BASIS Managing Director decide that there is no case to
answer, no further action will be taken with the member.
3. In the event that the BACCS Chairman or BASIS Managing Director believes that there
has been a prima facie breach of the Code it will be reported to the Disciplinary
Committee (DC).
NB - No action will be taken regarding any allegation unless the complaint is
substantiated or confirmed in writing.
The DC is a sub-Committee of the BACCS Steering Committee and is made up of:
a) The BACCS Committee Chairman
b) Two other members of the Steering Committee, one of whom must be
engaged in the same discipline as the member under investigation, and one
Associate member
c) One member of the BASIS Logistics Committee.
d) BASIS nominated employee who will act as Secretary to the DC.
The DC shall consider the allegation made against the member. If it considers that there is
no case to answer (or the matter is so trivial) it may dismiss the case without further
reference to the member. No record of such a case will be retained, but the DC has the
power to comment on the case to the complainant.
In all other cases the DC will advise the member of the complaint made and will seek the
member’s views on it. If, after considering the member’s views, the DC is of the opinion
that there is no case to answer, no further action will be taken.
In the event that the DC is of the opinion that there is a case to answer, then the member
shall be so advised by the BACCS Chairman / BASIS Managing Director and at the same time
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the member will be advised of:
a) The date on which the DC will meet to consider the case (such date to be
agreed with the member where possible);
b) The member’s right to be present at the hearing and to nominate a
representative;
c) His/her right to call witnesses;
d) His/her right to present further written information before the hearing;
Any information / evidence which will be used at the hearing should be
submitted to the BASIS Logistics Manager at least 14 days prior to the
hearing.
e) Copies of correspondence can be made available to the member, on request.
Should the member fail to acknowledge the BACCS Chairman / BASIS Managing Directors’
advice, of the DC hearing, within 21 days, then the DC may proceed with the case, without
further reference to the member, and may take such action as it considers appropriate to the
case.
At the DC hearing the member may present his/her case, or have it presented for him/her,
and may call witnesses but may not cross examine his/her own witnesses.
The DC shall have the right to impose any of the following penalties:
a) Warn member as to future conduct;
b) Issue a strong reprimand;
c) Suspend the member for a period; - during which the member will be
excluded from the ‘Quality Assured Standard’ list.
d) Defer expulsion of the member for a (specific) number of years, during
which time the member will be suspended and will be required to fund
additional on-site assessments and demonstrate full compliance with the
regulations and the terms of the scheme. The member will be excluded
from the ‘Quality Assured Standard’ list.
e) Recommend to the BACCS Committee that the member be expelled from the
Scheme.
f) Breaches of primary legislation will be reported to the relevant authorities.
After the hearing the DC shall consider the case in the absence of any third parties and will
deliver its conclusion and penalty if any. The conclusion and penalty shall be confirmed in
writing to the member, the BASIS Registration Board, the Chairman of the Logistics
Committee and the BACCS Steering Committee.
The member may appeal against the decision taken by the Committee, in writing, within
fourteen days of notification of the decision. In the event of an appeal, an independent
arbiter, agreeable to both the Committee and member, shall be appointed. The arbiter may
need to appoint assessors if it is a very difficult technical case, especially if a company’s
product is involved.
The BACCS Chairman / BASIS Managing Director shall make an estimate of the costs of the
Appeal and shall inform the member. The member will be required to lodge the estimated
costs with the BACCS Chairman /BASIS Managing Director prior to the Appeal. Should the
Appeal be successful, the costs will be returned to the member and all other costs will be
borne by the Scheme.
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The arbiter’s decision shall be final and binding.
Local Authority / Government Agency Associate Membership
Entry Qualifications
Associate membership of the scheme is open to all Local Authorities and Industrial
companies using contractors for pesticide application work in the amenity sector of the
industry.
Individual authorities and companies will be accepted for membership of the scheme subject
to complying with the following conditions.
Benefits
1. Acceptance of BACCS as a way of raising standards of pesticide application in
the Amenity/ Industrial sector.
2. All potential Associate members will be required to complete an application
form for membership of the scheme.
3. All potential Associate members will be required to indicate the source of the
advice for the pesticide application work undertaken.
4. If the intention is for advice to be given by the client, Client Officers will be
required to submit the names and qualification numbers of the advisors. Advice
on the use of professional pesticide products may only be given by suitably
qualified advisers, as required by the Control of Pesticides (Amendment)
Regulations 1997. The BASIS certificate (Amenity Horticulture) is the only
qualification recognised by Ministers in this area.
5. Local authorities or companies must have paid the BACCS Associate
membership fee. The registration year is 1 January to 31 December.
1. The full list of BACCS members will be supplied each year on renewal of the
Associate membership.
2. The full list of contractors achieving a current ‘Pass’ certificate will be supplied
each year to Associate members.
3. Associate members will have access to the Scheme Complaints Procedure.
4. Associate members will be able to request an independent assessment of non-
BACCS contractors upon payment of the appropriate fee.
5. Associate members may request up to 3 contractor assessment reports per
annum.
6. Associate members may request additional contractor assessment reports upon
payment of the appropriate fee.
7. Associate members will be entitled to representation on the BACCS Steering
Committee.
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Corporate / Industrial Associate Membership
Entry Qualifications
Corporate / Industrial membership of the scheme is open to all manufacturers and large
corporate users of pesticides and pesticide contract services.
Scheme Requirements and Benefits
1. The full list of BACCS members will be available on request each year on
renewal of the Corporate / Industrial Associate membership.
2. All potential Corporate / Industrial Associate members will be required to
complete an application form for membership of the scheme.
3. All potential Corporate / Industrial Associate members will be required to
indicate the source of the advice for the pesticide application work undertaken.
4. If the intention is for advice to be given by the client, Client Officers will be
required to submit the names and qualification numbers of the advisors. Advice
on the use of professional pesticide products may only be given by suitably
qualified advisers, as required by the Control of Pesticides (Amendment)
Regulations 1997. The BASIS certificate (Amenity Horticulture) is the only
qualification recognised by Ministers in this area. Advisers will be expected to
undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
5. Corporate / Industrial Associate members may request copies of contractor
assessment reports at no extra cost.
6. Corporate / Industrial Associate members will receive a copy of the annual
BACCS Scheme Summary, which will acknowledge the support of Corporate
Members by inclusion of a ‘Corporate Sponsors’ List.
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Membership Fees & Charges
(ex-vat)
1. BASIS Registration Fee – Contractor with Store £ available on request
2. BASIS Registration Fee – Contractor (No Store) £ available on request
3. Contract Charge
Band 1= Up to £10,000 £144.00
Band 2= £10,001 - £30,000 £360.00
Band 3= £30,001 - £80,000 £694.00
Band 4= £80,001 upwards £1050.00
4. 2 nd On-Site Visit (when requested) £650.00
5. Local Authority / Govt. Agency Associate Membership £286.00
6. Corporate / Industrial Associate Membership £648.00
7. Independent Assessment Fee £650.00
8. Provisional Membership (additional on-site audit fee) £650.00
9. Additional Reports -
Store & On-Site Verification Visit £100.00
On-Site Verification Report Only £60.00
10. Sub Contractor Registration Fee – per contractor £150.00
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Why should you choose a Contractor who is part of this scheme?
1. Value for Money:-
Contractors joining the scheme will have to achieve certain criteria (assessed by
BASIS) before they are fully approved, giving protection to the client and also ‘Best
Value’, Value for Money contracts.
2. Guaranteed Results :-
The scheme includes D.S.O.’s and D.L.O.’s as well as Private contractors so it is open
for anyone to work to the standard. This leads to a wide choice in selecting quality
weed control contractors.
3. Peace of Mind:-
Acts as an extension of the existing and already well respected BASIS Annual Store
Inspection Scheme. This leads to peace of mind that the job will be done correctly,
as you will be using the spraying ‘elite’.
4. Recognised Scheme:-
It is fully endorsed by BASIS and the CROP PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, with
backing from The Chemicals Regulation Directorate, Environment Agency,
The Health and Safety Executive, The Scottish Environment Protection
Agency, NAAC and NPTC.
5. Less Hassle for You:-
It leads to a reduction in the burden of administrative paperwork incurred by
the Local Authority Tender issuer, as Contractors will already have achieved a known
set of criteria, which are regularly reviewed.
6. Scheme ‘Wanted’ by Local Authorities:-
Most Local Authorities sent questionnaires about the scheme were prepared to issue
tenders to Contractors holding this “accreditation”.
What Will Be Covered By The BACCS Scheme?
Health and Safety issues.
COSHH assessment and its communication.
Training and record keeping.
Quality Assurance.
Environmental Awareness.
Site visits by highly trained and experienced BASIS trained staff to ensure
contractors are adhering to a recognised high standard and are spraying the
specified chemicals in the right manner, safely and with the right equipment.
Liaison and reports from the clients with satisfaction clarification to ensure
quality of work is kept up.
A Steering Committee will meet to review members and criteria of the scheme
three or four times a year.
THE SCHEME PROVIDES A STANDARD COMPARABLE TO, FOR EXAMPLE, “CORGI”
FOR GAS FITTERS. THE RECOGNISED STANDARDS IN THIS INDUSTRY BEING
“BACCS” FOR AMENITY SPRAY CONTRACTORS.
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BACCS provides:
THE BASIS ADVANCED CONTRACTORS
CERTIFICATION SCHEME
A rigorous annual assessment for amenity contractors, working in
local authority, industrial, utility and other environmentally sensitive
areas.
BACCS is a recognised independent scheme with backing
from:
• AIC
• Amenity Forum
• CPA
• CFOA
• CRD
• EA
• HSE
• LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER
• NAAC
• City & Guilds NPTC
• SEPA
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Explanatory Notes – On-Site Verification Report
In order to ensure the relevance of the on-site verification procedure, the visit is
unscheduled and no prior notice is provided to the contractor.
The following notes are intended to provide useful information:
OPERATOR INFORMATION:
All operators should have with them at all times, their NPTC certification which should be
applicable to the equipment being used.
Operators that are not certificated must be working at all times, within sight and sound of
qualified operators.
It is advisable (and professional) for all operators to be in possession of company ID.
INSTRUCTIONS IN WRITING:
To avoid confusion, all instructions must be confirmed in writing, detailing all relevant
information, which should include for example:-
• Dimensions (lengths and areas).
• Objectives - kerbs and channels only or full footpaths. In addition, whether tree bases
and street furniture are included or specifically excluded.
• Any specific client requirements – dates / timings etc.
• Site Specific Risk Assessment
This information may be carried on the support vehicle but must be kept available for
inspection by the BASIS Assessor and Client officers.
SITE CONTACTS:
Operators should be supplied with the relevant contact details (Name, telephone numbers)
for the appropriate member of the clients’ organisation, who they can contact when queries
arise.
PRODUCTS TO BE USED:
The precise product name(s) and approval number(s) must be provided in writing, together
with the dose rate(s) to be applied.
It is strongly recommended that all pesticide applications result from written
recommendation supplied by a BASIS qualified advisor.
APPLICATION RATE / EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION:
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This must be specific and should show the proposed application rate along with the
appropriate calibration criteria. In addition, operators will be required to demonstrate that
their equipment has been checked to ensure that the correct application rate is being
maintained and that the date and time of all calibration checks have been recorded.
Operators will also be required to produce a current calibration sheet for the work in
progress.
It is strongly recommended that all spray application equipment (except Knapsacks) is NSTS
tested annually.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:
For each product being used or transported on the vehicle, the following are required:-
A full and readable label (in English) on every container, including a current UK approval
number.
COSHH sheets.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
If appropriate ‘Instructions in Writing’ if the load exceeds the threshold for ADR regulations.
Site specific Risk Assessment for the work to be completed.
Method Statement for the work to be carried out.
In addition, operators need to be aware of the requirements of the ‘statutory’ Code of
Practice (For Using plant protection products) and provision should be made for them to gain
access to either a copy of the Code and to other relevant information.
DAILY CHEMICAL USAGE:
This information is now a statutory requirement and must be recorded on an on-going basis
and in a readily available format which can be produced for inspection by the BASIS Assessor
and Client officers.
PPE / SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
Essential items are:-
Coverall
Nitrile gloves
Wellingtons
Hi-visibility vest (for highway use).
Face-shield
Half-face respirator and dust mask (A1/P3 or ABEK/P3 combinations only).
500 ml eye irrigators (current and in date)
First aid kit.
Fire extinguisher (checked annually and marked with due-date of next inspection).
Full Spill Kit for Pesticide spillages.
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SUPPORT VEHICLES:
Stock sheet detailing name and quantities of pesticides transported.
The provision of an appropriately bunded storage facility for the retention of all concentrate
transported.
Facility for storing triple rinsed empty containers and full details of the disposal method used.
Clean washing water together with a quantity of clean (drinking) water.
Please note that a full list of the audit requirements is available from the BASIS office.
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