Knapsack Sprayer Testing: Verification of Test Changes

It is critical to the safe use of knapsack sprayers that their operators are not unduly exposed to the pesticide solutions that they are using.

Leakage, spills whilst filling, non-approved concentrations of solutions are all potential threats which may exist with new machines or appear after moderate use.

The ability to measure or assess these risks is the main basis for the development of an International Standard; a document that will describe both how the tests are made "Test Methods" and what limits should be acceptable "Performance Limits". In this study, and in contrast to the earlier Health and Safety Executive Contract 4179/S51.208, sprayers that have been subjected to simulated "use", were compared with those that were unused.

The range of sprayer types researched was also expanded from just side lever versions to include compression sprayers too.