AgSafe (California)
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The
following safety module is intended to be used as a refresher
safety awareness session and is in no way to be used as a
substitute for job training nor proper equipment use.
Pesticides
are vital to the agricultural industry for the production
of food and fiber, and are quite effective when used appropriately.
However, you must be very careful about how you handle these
chemicals, as well as how you transport, store, mix, load,
apply and dispose of them. Your employer knows the potential
risks of using agricultural chemicals. When these materials
need to be used, only authorized and trained people will be
allowed to handle them.
Employees
are not allowed to enter areas that have been treated with
an agricultural chemical until both the California re-entry
requirement and the chemical manufacturer's recommendations
on the label allow re- entry. If you have questions about
safe re-entry requirements, ask your supervisor.
Not only is it important,
but it is also legally required that pesticides are stored in a safe, secure and
well- identified place. (See Figure 1.)
- Pesticides
should be stored in a properly labeled container with the
label clearly visible. Never store pesticides in old bottles
or food containers where they could be mistaken for food
or drink for people or animals.
- You
must never store pesticides near food, feed or seed.
- Store
pesticides in containers that can be tightly sealed. Check
the containers regularly to make sure they have no leaks,
breaks, tears or defects.
- Store
pesticides in a location away from freezing temperatures
or extreme heat.
- All
pesticides are to be stored under lock and key at all times.
The building, room or structure where they are stored should
be clearly marked with pesticide warning signs.
Many injuries occur when
chemicals are being mixed. The most dangerous pesticide job is pouring and mixing
the concentrated chemicals. (See Figure 2.)
- Before
you begin to mix the chemical, READ THE LABEL.
- Before
handling a pesticide, put on protective clothing (coveralls,
gloves, boots, goggles or face shield, hat, and respirator
if the label indicates one must be worn.)
- Mix
the pesticides outdoors where there is good ventilation
and light.
- Stand
upwind of the pesticide to avoid contaminating yourself.
- Use
a specifically designated sharp knife to open pesticide
bags. Do not use scissors or a personal knife; do not tear
bags open.
- Measure
accurately and use only the amount specified on the label.
It's against the law to use more than label directions indicate.
- When
removing concentrated material from the container, keep
the container below eye level to avoid splashing or spilling
the pesticide into your face and eyes.
- If
you splash or spill a pesticide, STOP IMMEDIATELY! Remove
your contaminated clothing and wash it thoroughly with soap
and water. Speed is essential when you or your clothing
are contaminated. Remember also to clean up the spill.
- California
safety regulations require that closed systems be used when
you mix more than 1 gallon of liquid category 1 pesticides
per day. Category 1 pesticides are any that have the word
DANGER on the label.
Careful attention to simple
guidelines during pesticide mixing and application will greatly increase your
ability to control the pest and will make your job much safer for you and those
around you. (See Figure 3.)
- Before
you begin to apply a pesticide, READ THE LABEL and put on
the required protective clothing.
- Check
the equipment for leaking hoses or connections and plugged
or worn nozzles, and examine the filter to see that it's
clean and free of debris.
- Clear
all livestock, pets and people from the area to be treated
and calibrate your equipment before you begin to use it
to ensure the proper amount is coming out.
- Mix
the pesticide at the recommended rate and apply it at the
specified dosage. Make sure the measurement device you use
is a proper, commercially designed device for applying pesticides.
Do not guess at the measurement. Apply pesticides only at
the correct time and under favorable weather conditions.
Never apply a pesticide if the wind will cause the pesticide
to drift out of the area to be treated.
- Use
extreme care to prevent the pesticide from contaminating
streams, ponds, lakes or other bodies of water.
- As
with any safe handling training, it is important to know
what you can do to prevent becoming exposed to a toxic substance.
Outlined below are pointers about pesticide exposure.
Do not carry cigarettes
in your pockets, nor eat or drink while working with pesticides. (See Figure
4.) Your cigarettes can absorb pesticide film or residue that could make you
sick. Also, be careful not to wipe your face with your shirt sleeves. This could
put the pesticide directly onto your bare skin.
There are four ways that
pesticides can enter the body: through the skin, the mouth, the nose and the eyes.
(See Figure 5.) Pesticides can enter your body in solid,
liquid or gaseous form. It's particularly important to remember that highly concentrated
and highly toxic chemicals, especially liquids and gases, present the greatest
danger. If they are not washed off immediately, the liquid concentrates can penetrate
your unbroken skin. (See Figure 6.) The longer a pesticide
remains on your skin or in your eyes, or the longer you inhale it, the greater
the damage that is likely to occur. Protective clothing, such as coveralls, aprons,
boots, gloves, goggles and face shields, and respirators provide protection against
exposure to these chemicals.
Absorption
through the skin is the most common form of poisoning. Absorption
may occur from a splash, spill or drift when mixing, loading,
applying, or disposing of pesticides. It may also result from
exposure to large amounts of residue while cleaning out clogged
nozzles and filter screens. Generally, wettable powders, dusts
and granular pesticides are not as easily absorbed thorough
the skin and other body tissues as are the liquid forms. Again,
consistent use of proper protective clothing will greatly
reduce the potential risk of pesticide absorption.
If a
pesticide is taken into the mouth in sufficient amounts, it
may cause either serious illness, severe injury, or even death.
The most frequent cases of accidental oral exposure are those
when pesticides have been taken out of their original labeled
container and illegally put into an unlabeled bottle or food
container. For this reason, always store a pesticide in a
properly labeled container. If you get a clogged spray line
or nozzle, never use your mouth to clear it. And never eat
or smoke until you have left the spray area and have washed
off thoroughly with soap and water.
Pesticides
that are inhaled in large enough amounts can cause serious
damage to nose, throat, and lung tissues. Vapors and extremely
fine particles are the most serious contributors to respiratory
exposure. Wear your respirator while working with powder and
liquid pesticides. If you are unsure if a respirator is needed,
ask your supervisor.
The
tissues of the eye are particularly sensitive and absorbent,
which means getting pesticides in the eyes brings an immediate
threat of loss of sight, illness, or even death. In California,
eye protection is required at all times. If pesticides get
in your eyes, immediately flush your eyes with clean water
for at least 15 minutes.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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CA
94720
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