British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has launched a new online course designed to help pest professionals complete Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) when considering the use of professional-grade rodenticides.
Creating Pest Management Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) takes technicians step by step through the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK (CRRU-UK) ERA process.
Environmental Risk Assessments are an important part of responsible rodenticide use, helping technicians consider potential risks to wildlife and the wider environment before deciding whether rodenticide treatment is justified.
The new two-hour online course covers the information technicians need to collect, how to assess environmental risks and what supporting evidence should be recorded.
It also looks at precautions that can reduce risks to non-target species and how CRRU guidance can be applied when deciding whether rodenticide is the appropriate control option.
Karen Dawes, BPCA training and development manager, said: “An Environmental Risk Assessment shouldn’t simply be another piece of paperwork to complete before putting rodenticide down.
“It should help you think through what’s happening on the site, what the risks are and whether rodenticide is actually the right option.
“We’ve designed this course to make that process clearer and give technicians more confidence in recording the evidence behind the decisions they make.”
The foundation-level course has no prerequisites and is aimed both at technicians who already complete ERAs regularly and those looking for a clearer understanding of the process.
Learners work through practical situations covering how to identify relevant environmental risks, select appropriate risk-reduction measures and record evidence supporting decisions about professional-grade rodenticide use.
The course takes around two hours to complete and is worth two BPCA Registered CPD points.
There is no formal assessment. Learners who complete the course can download and print a BPCA certificate of completion.
For more information, click here.
