TECHNICAL U P D AT E
A new standard would help clarify the subject of chemical use
SETTING THE STANDARD IN AMENITY MANAGEMENT Why there’s no better time than now to introduce a brand new, recognisable, sector-wide Amenity Standard
N By Steve Hewitt Amenity Forum
owadays, there is much greater public and political interest in weed, pest and disease management, especially linked to chemical use. The reasons why chemicals are used in the process of providing safe, healthy amenity spaces and sports surfaces is not always clear to the public, who can see chemicals as merely hazardous substances. This article introduces the development of a new sector-wide standard for amenity, which could be a real game changer.
PRESSURES ON CHEMICAL USE
By John Moverley Amenity Forum chair
A number of local authorities have sought to restrict the use of pesticides recently, which demonstrates growing unease about chemicals, with decisions influenced perhaps more by politics and emotion rather than science and fact. Therefore, the wider public
“Organisations want to employ staff of the highest standard, but currently there is no universal way to recognise standards”
users of amenity spaces need to have clear assurances that all those involved in creating and maintaining safe, healthy sports grounds and other amenity spaces operate at the highest professional standards; they need to know that, whether using chemical or non-chemical methods, such operations are undertaken by competent, trained personnel following welldesigned and managed plans. At the same time, organisations responsible for amenity management are often under severe pressure to reduce costs. They see the management of amenity spaces as a target for savings. However, the pressure to reduce chemical use can frequently work directly against such objectives, significantly increasing cost rather than making savings.
RECOGNISING QUALITY
Organisations want to employ staff and contractors of the highest standard, but currently there is no universal way to recognise standards. In certain sub sectors there are excellent quality-assurance schemes, but these, such as the BASIS operated ’Lawn Assured‘ can be very specific. The time is now right to introduce a recognisable, sector-wide assurance www.iog.org THE GROUNDSMAN 33