Quickfire from Muddy boots
UK: Raising industry standards in storage, handling and safe use of pesticides
BASIS standards and certification are recognised under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and are required, by law, by all those involved in the storage, sale and supply of pesticides. An annual inspection of UK-based pesticide stores is completed by a BASIS Assessor and the information generated is collated and shared with the Environmental Agencies, Fire Authorities and the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD).
Subsequently, following a comprehensive pilot period, Quickfire from Muddy Boots was selected to ensure the consistency, accuracy and reliability of the audit process across the industry’s 600 registered stores. The software enables data to be gathered through a mobile device that prompts and disciplines the audit process. Once collected, the data does not need to be re-entered, so Assessment completion is quicker and the resulting information and actions are available immediately; significantly increasing productivity for the business.
Rob Simpson, Managing Director at BASIS (Registration) Limited, says that traditionally the audit was a manual and time consuming process for the Assessor, the pesticide store and BASIS;
“Since implementing Muddy Boots we have reduced the time the Assessor spends on site by around 20 – 25%, sometimes more, and the entire process is now more prescriptive and therefore more consistent across our business.
“The greatest impact has been the reporting functionality within Quickfire and the speed at which the reports come back to us. Previously, there had always been a delay in getting our hands on the data and then further delay in alerting the distributor of our findings. With Quickfire, the Assessor is able to synchronise the audit back to us and any major issues can be identified in real-time. Similarly, we can alert the distributor immediately; enabling them to react quickly to any non-conformances.
“The software has been really well received by all stakeholders and is helping to raise industry standards across the storage, handling and safe use of pesticides. The improved efficiency that we are witnessing allows us to spend more time working with distributors to help them become compliant. Some of the larger Distributors that have more than one pesticide store are even utilising the data themselves, to measure trends in performance across their sites and identify which sites are performing well and which sites are underperforming and therefore need further assistance.
“We will continue to invest in the software over the next 12 months; introducing some of the new system enhancements and moving onto tablet PC format,” concludes Mr Simpson.
Jeff Goulding, Farm Services Director at www.muddyboots.com, talks about the company’s experience of working in pesticide management and their on-going relationship with BASIS;
“Muddy Boots has been involved in pesticide management and agronomy systems since the mid 1990’s. Our CropWalker software is one of the most widely known agronomy tools in the UK for farmers and growers and can be used to advise farmers on the safe use of pesticides and fertilisers. So, we were delighted when BASIS selected us to support them in the management of their national pesticide storage scheme.
“When BASIS first approached us in 2009, they wanted to increase productivity, ensure consistency in the audit process and improve the speed at which reports are generated and distributed. Over the last 3 years BASIS has fully embraced the software and has subsequently met all of these objectives. We look forward to further developing our partnership with BASIS over the course of the year.”
For more information:
Emma Stockley
Muddy Boots
Tel: +44 (0)1989 780540
e.stockley@muddyboots.com
www.muddyboots.com