Tag Archive for: Operator

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the turf and landscape amenity sector. The Amenity Forum’s Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by Syngenta and ICL, in association with BASIS, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The winner is presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME, along with a prize of a weekend break for two at a luxury hotel of choice. Two runners-up receive £100 Machine Mart vouchers.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2022 awards, Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, said: “Sprayer operation is a key factor in the success of every application, including elements of nozzle choice, water volume and fine tuning the sprayer to more effectively hit the intended target.

“However, for the best possible results, today’s professional sprayer operators must also fully understand the wider aspects of why an application is being made, and what other elements they can also employ for better long-term management of potential problems.”

This year the entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector. Barry Browne, ICL Landscape & Industrial Sales Manager, explained entrants are not expected to know the answers to all the questions, but will help the judging panel to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

“The entry process itself will stimulate thought and understanding of the issues around application, including the need to create integrated solutions using a full range of tools and tactics. We’re looking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application.”

All entrants will be invited to attend an on-line session to review the entry form with judges and to share and learn from the experiences of others.

Professor John Moverley of the Amenity Forum highlighted the ASOOTY awards exemplified the organisation’s objective to promote best practice across the sector.

“It seeks to do this by advocating a fully integrated approach to weed, pest and disease management, tailoring solutions to meet specific situations and making use of the appropriate approved chemical and non-chemical techniques, to produce the most effective and efficient outcome – whilst seeking to create safe and healthy amenity spaces.

“The Amenity Forum has taken the lead in a major step forward in highlighting the importance of amenity management and the need to use professionally approved operators in any public space.”

Enter the ASOOTY 2022 awards here

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Search for a Star sprayer operator

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Search for a Star sprayer operator: The Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards are back, with the chance to win a weekend away for two, along with essential education and useful tools to further improve the performance of what you do.

Above all, it is the recognition that sprayer operators play an essential role in the effective management of turf, landscape and amenity areas. Sharing the industry’s best practice, knowledge and practical experiences will help to raise the standards of all involved.

Search for a Star sprayer operator

Search for a Star sprayer operator

Applications should be made on the ICL website through this link or via the Syngenta GreenCast website.

It’s not about having the latest equipment or the biggest budget. The Sprayer Operator of the Year looks to identify and reward all individuals operating to the highest standards or professionalism.

The Awards are managed by the Amenity Forum, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta.

There are two prize winning categories to enter: Landscape & Industrial and Sports Turf, with both tractor-mounted and handheld sprayer operators eligible for both categories. The category winners will be announced from a short-list of finalists at the Amenity Forum Conference. The overall winner is announced at the BTME event in Harrogate.

The overall AFSOOTY winner will receive:

  • A two-night break for two in a luxury country house break*
  • A place on the Syngenta Application Academy
  • Attendance of the Amenity Forum Conference

Launching the Awards, Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Amenity Forum said: “Accurate application ensures the best possible results from every input, whilst protecting the environment from drift or off target loss.

“Sprayer operators across the amenity sector have made great strides in recent years. Every operator has something that will add to the experience and help others.

“If you can demonstrate the ability and ingenuity to consistently achieve safe and accurate application through the whole spraying process, then you are in with a chance of winning.”

ICL Turf & Landscape Business Development Manager, Mark Pyrah, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

Syngenta application specialist, Glenn Kirby, commented: “In previous years the Awards has identified some exceptional operators. They have all instigated ideas and practices to make the spraying process easier, more accurate and, ultimately, safer.

“The Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience.”

The on-line entry form enables operators to apply, along with anyone to nominate operators they acknowledge are doing a great job – including other members of the team; staff or people within the industry who recognise good practice with the machinery or product they have supplied.

Entries and nominations close on 30 June 2021.

After submitting an initial application form, successful entrants will be invited to answer a short questionnaire. Selected category finalists are judged on best practice and innovative ideas to improve and enhance spraying operations.

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Sprayer Operator winner announced

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Sprayer Operator winner announced: The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award (ASOY) recognises and rewards top sprayer operators across the amenity industry. It aims to further improve standards, by identifying the best practice of individuals to enhance results – and share their experiences across the industry.

Presented for the second time at BTME Harrogate, the ASOY Awards are organised by the Amenity Forum, and generously sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, and supported by BASIS.

Sprayer Operator winner announced

As well as being the overall top operator, Paul Gater was the winner of the Sports Turf Using Tractor Mounted & Hand Held Equipment Category.

The other category winner recognised by the Awards was Ian Millward of Millward Forestry who won the Landscape and Industrial Using Hand Held & Tractor Mounted Equipment Category.

Commenting on Paul’s success, from a record entry in the fifth annual ASOY Awards, Professor John Moverley OBE, Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said: ‘‘The Amenity Forum is the voluntary initiative for this important and essential sector. We promote best practice and these awards are a demonstration of the high professional standards in our sector and identify those individuals who go above and beyond in their work.

Our congratulations go all those who were shortlisted, the category winners and especially our overall winner this year – an excellent ambassador for the sector. Thanks also to our sponsors who make all this possible.”

ICL Business Development Manager, Mark Pyrah, added:

“ICL remains committed to supporting the Amenity Forum and both sponsoring and championing the ‘Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year’ award. We would like to acknowledge all those candidates that put themselves forward and for recognising the fact that accurate application remains key to good product performance.

ICL UK along with Syngenta UK looks forward to continuing to support the ‘Amenity Sprayer Operator Awards’ going forward and would encourage any individual responsible for spray application to consider putting themselves forward in 2020 and championing good practice in the art of application.”

Syngenta Technical Manager and application specialist, Glenn Kirby, highlighted the skills and experience of sprayer operators is paramount in achieving the best results possible from every application.

“All of the Awards entrants have demonstrated the essential techniques for safe and responsible spray application. Sharing their ideas and advice can help all operators to become more efficient and effective.” All entrants to the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards will be entered into the chance to win a place at the new Syngenta Application Academy.
Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO commented:

“The Awards highlight the exceptional skills, knowledge and experience of the operators and provide a demonstration of best practice for effective results and, above all, that pesticides are used in a safe and sustainable manner in amenity situations”

OVERALL WINNER
SPRAYER OPERATOR OF THE YEAR 2019

PAUL GATER, CALDY GOLF CLUB

CATEGORY WINNERS AND RUNNERS UP
SPRAYER OPERATOR OF THE YEAR 2019

LANDSCAPE AND INDUSTRIAL
USING HAND HELD & TRACTOR MOUNTED EQUIPMENT

Winner Ian Millward, Millward Forestry

Runner Up Daniel Lewis, Manchester City

SPORTS TURF
USING TRACTOR MOUNTED & HAND HELD EQUIPMENT

Winner Paul Gater, Caldy Golf Club

Runner Up Jason Garlick, JMG Amenity

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Sprayer operator award winners

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Sprayer operator award winners: The category winners of the 2019 Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award were announced at the Amenity Forum conference on Thursday 10th October 2019.

The Forum administers the awards whose main sponsors are ICL and Syngenta. BASIS registration also offer free training vouchers for the winners.

Sprayer operator award winners

Each category winner received a trophy and framed certificate. The overall winner will now be decided upon and be announced at BTME in Harrogate in January. The overall winner is awarded the Amenity Forum Shield and earns him or herself a choice of amazing prizes.

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum, said ‘The Amenity Forum is the voluntary initiative for this important and essential sector. We promote best practice and these awards are a demonstration of the high professional standards in our sector’

The category winners were:
LANDSCAPE AND INDUSTRIAL USING HAND HELD & TRACTOR MOUNTED EQUIPMENT
Winner Ian Millward, Millward Forestry
Runner Up Daniel Lewis, Manchester City

SPORTS TURF USING TRACTOR MOUNTED & HAND HELD EQUIPMENT
Winner Paul Gater, Caldy Golf Club
Runner Up Jason Garlick, JMG Amenity

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Replay Operator Q&A

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Replay Operator Q&A: A Q&A with Replay Maintenance operator Michael Kelly

What is your current role at Replay Maintenance? How long have you been there and what was your route into the industry?

I became part of the Replay team following a recruitment drive day that Replay held. I have now worked at Replay for two years, as a Synthetic Surface Technician.

What training did you undergo when you started the job?

I began by shadowing an experienced member of the team who taught me the principles of the job and have continued to progress through the in-house training programme. Since starting, I have gone on to learn all of the various Replay Maintenance processes and completed my telescopic handler licence and forward tipping dumper licence. I have also attended first aid and health and safety courses.

Replay Operator Q&A

What time do you start work in the morning, what does an average day entail?

Generally, my start time varies depending on the jobs I have scheduled to do that day, though it is normally sometime between 6am and 7am. My average day usually entails two jobs, one in the morning and then another in the afternoon.

How much information do you receive in advance of a site visit? What technology do you use to track and monitor your work?

All information is fed direct to me on a daily basis through the Replay PitchPassport365 system. I receive the name of the job and the address, the name of the site contact and their contact details along with any information that is specific to that site such as the size, and type, of surface. PitchPassport365 has a job timer on it to which is started on arrival at the site and is turned off on completion. This helps us to track all of our visits. The average Replay Revive® visit takes approximately four hours to complete. The PitchPassport365 system also allows me to add before, during and after photos of the job, as well as alerting the office instantly of any issues that I find on the surface during a visit – fed through using Replay Rescue.

What are the essential pieces of equipment on your truck, to complete the days task?

The Revive machine, which uses a wet and dry filter, is the core piece of equipment I use. I also carry three sieves of different sizes, which gives me the choice of which to utilise depending on the type of surface I am working on, the size of the infill and the weather conditions on the day.  In addition, I have a leaf blower, refuse sacks, weed and moss sprayer and various other items in the van which are used during a site visit.

Most of your work is conducted independently – how much interaction do you have with the facility manager and are there many decisions you have to make on site?

On arrival at a site I will report to reception who will then point me in the direction of the caretaker who facilitates my visit. Working independently, I have to use my initiative when completing the job but if any major problems arise, I will speak with the main job contact.

Replay Operator Q&A

Have you experienced any changes during your time at Replay, and if so, how have these impacted on, or improved, the service you provide?

The main improvement has been the introduction of Replay’s PitchPassport system which has significantly improved the sharing of information between the Replay office, the customer and the operators on the road. The system instantly connects us all, and the work I carry out on the pitch can be viewed ‘as-live’.

Is there a particular service you enjoy conducting? 

There are many elements I enjoy, but in particular, I get a great deal of satisfaction conducting the specialist Revive visits. It’s the service we probably conduct the most often but it’s very rewarding seeing the improvement in the appearance of a surface. I also enjoy familiarising myself with people over the visits, getting to know them, their pitches and working together with them to produce a maintenance regime that works.

In your role you spend a lot of hours travelling between sites – what do you listen to and which song can you be caught singing along to?

When I’m in between jobs, I mainly listen to Radio 1 but if you’re going to catch me singing it’ll likely be to any song by The Courteeners.

How do you spend your free time? 

I spend my spare time with my girlfriend and enjoy socialising with friends. I also follow Nottingham Forest Football Club.

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