Rules, certificates and authorisation for greenkeepers

A greenkeeper handles machines chemistry and large green areas used by many people. Therefore the trade is bound to a series of rules and certificates you must master. Here you get an overview of the most important ones.

§Spray certificate and authorisation

If you want to buy and use control agents approved for professional use it requires both a spraying certificate and authorization. You get the spraying certificate through a course that covers legislation spraying technique pests labels and integrated plant protection among other things. The certificate itself has limited validity and must be followed up to keep your knowledge up to date.

On top of the certificate you must be registered in the authorities' authorization system for the use of plant protection products. It is the Environmental Protection Agency that stands behind the system and the requirement applies both to buying and using the products. The rules are there to protect you the users of the pitch groundwater and nature around the pitch.

§Tractor and machine driving license

Greenkeepers often drive tractors and special machines like mowers and implement carriers. Many of these machines require you to have the right tractor driving licence, which is typically something you get as part of the apprenticeship. The licence ensures that you can operate the machines safely in and around the course, where there are often players and spectators.

§Safety and first aid certificates

Beyond the subject-specific certificates, you encounter a number of basic safety courses in your education. They enable you to handle the situations that arise in a workplace with machinery, people and outdoor work.

• 01First aid, so you can act correctly if an accident happens.
• 02Basic fire fighting so you can extinguish a starting fire.
• 03The road as a workplace if you work where there is traffic.
• 04Tractor driving license to legally and safely operate machinery

§Keep your evidence even

Several of the evidence — for example the injection certificate and first aid — must be renewed or followed up at regular intervals. As a skilled worker it is your own responsibility to keep track of that your evidence is valid. It's not just a legal requirement; it's also a way to make you attractive in the job market because an employer can see that you have your papers in order.

“The paper becomes thicker”