Ensure the safety of your sugar beet workers this summer

Stewardship guidelines aimed at protecting workers hand pulling bolters and weed beet from sugar beet crops were introduced by Bayer in 2018.  This guidance, repeated each season, is to protect workers coming into contact with crops treated with plant protection products.

Product stewardship and the health and safety of those using or coming into contact with sprays is of paramount importance to Bayer and the industry, explains Antonia Walker, Bayer’s campaign manager for root crops.

“We continually re-evaluate product use and exposure to crop protection products in the context of ever-changing industry practice to ensure the safety of those involved,” says Miss Walker.

The guidance from Bayer specifies timescales and clothing requirements for workers hand-pulling bolters and weed beet from sugar beet crops. Where this has not been completed before spraying, workers should not re-enter the field within 48-hours of spraying. Thereafter, and up to 10 days after spraying, pulling can be continued by workers wearing appropriate work wear – that is boots, gloves and long trousers – and waterproof trousers if the crop is wet. From 10 days after spraying there are no requirements and these guidelines do not apply to those visiting sugar beet crops for short periods such as agronomists when crop walking.

Bayer will contact the growers and gang-masters involved in this activity to remind them of the guidelines and Miss Walker asks all those with responsibility for workers in sugar beet fields this summer to adopt the advised best practice.

Download your Beet Pulling Pre-entry Recording Template here

Download your Bolter Removal Guidelines here

If you require more of our stewardship information sheets or have any questions please contact Bayer at ukcropsupport@bayer.com

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