SPRAYERS & SPRAYING
Heathrow chooses Cooper Pegler knapsacks to handle Habitat Management spraying
ooper Pegler
C knapsack sprayers are helping Heathrow Airport control weed and grass growth along its runway margins and perimeter fencing .
These key elements of the airport ’ s airside Habitat Management function are now being handled by CP3 Series 2000 knapsacks , one of Cooper Pegler ’ s most popular models .
Training provider Amenity Training and Consultancy has worked closely with managers Mike McKee and Neil Pritchard , who were instrumental in bringing the Habitat Management function in-house from 1 July in a move to bolster operational autonomy .
The trainer has delivered PA1 and PA6 certifications for knapsack spraying among a ten-strong in-house team , whose responsibilities also embrace maintenance and upkeep of key areas to include taxiways and stands .
Undertaken at night , when aircraft movements are minimal , the spray programme keeps Heathrow ’ s north runway ( 3,902m ) and south ( 3,660m ) runways and perimeter fencing clear of unwanted vegetation by applying total herbicide to treat perennial broad leaf weeds and grasses during the growing season across the 12.27km2 site .
The spray programme is continually monitored and adjusted as necessary , notes Amenity Training and Consultancy owner Paul Bannister . “ Controlling perimeter fence-line vegetative growth helps optimise security ,” he explains , “ while keeping the runway burn-line fully visible at all times enables any staff working on the airfield to avoid breaching it and causing a runway incursion , which is a serious safety risk in aviation .”
Sprayer training has proceeded well , Paul adds . “ We ’ ve delivered PA1 and PA6 programmes to 10 Habitat Management team members and everyone really enjoyed the experience .”
26 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | Winter 2021