Pesticide Handling And Storage Safety
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ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION SERIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Agriculture & Natural Resources |
EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY,
AL 36849-5647
|
Pesticide
Handling And Storage Safety
ANR-733, 1992. By Charles Ogburn, Extension
Agricultural Engineer (Retired), Agrculture, Auburn University
Whether you are a homeowner, farmer, rancher,
or a commercial applicator, proper handling and storage of pesticides are
important aspects of safe pesticide use.
Transportation
Never transport pesticides inside the passenger
compartment of an automobile or the cab of a truck where they could come
in contact with groceries, livestock feed, or other products which might
become contaminated. Transport them in the trunk of the car or in the back
of the truck, making sure they are secure to prevent spills. Should there
be an accident or spill, immediately inform the local police and fire officials
of the quantity and names of the pesticides involved. Large spills, particularly
of “Restricted Use Pesticides,” should be reported to CHEMTREC at (1-800)
424-9300, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management at (334) 271-7984,
and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries at (334) 242-2656.
Applicators of pesticides, particularly in heavily
populated areas, must take special precautions to secure products transported
to the application site. Allowing pesticides to remain unattended on the
back of an open truck is inviting an accident—and costly lawsuit.
Commercial transporters of pesticides must meet
special requirements, such as placards on the vehicles, bills of labels
of the product, etc. Consult the Department of Agriculture at (334) 242-2656
for more information.
Storage
Nearly three-fourths of all pesticide accidents occur to non-users
of the materials, many of which are children. In addition, each year there
are several cases of livestock and pet poisonings from contacts with improperly
stored pesticides. These accidents not only cause human suffering and economic
losses, but are violations of federal regulations. READ THE LABEL WHEN
STORING PESTICIDES; IT IS THE LAW.
Whether you are a homeowner, producer or applicator of pesticides, there
are basic safe storage rules to follow:
-
Keep pesticides, other poisons, and related materials locked in a cabinet,
room, or separate building designated solely for the storage of these materials.
Metal storage cabinets, such as discarded school lockers, provide excellent
storage for homeowners or other users of small amounts of pesticides.
-
Post the facilities with a sign that reads, PESTICIDES - POISONS, KEEP
OUT, or similar warning signs.
-
Never store pesticides where food, feed, seed, fertilizer, or other products
can be contaminated.
-
Store pesticides in their original containers. It is the law.
-
The facility should be reasonably fireproof and well ventilated. Temperatures
should be kept between freezing and 100 degrees F.
-
A sealed concrete floor, concrete block walls, and metal shelves are recommended.
-
With shelf storage, store dry pesticides on the top shelves, liquids on
the lower ones.
-
Provide adequate space for the secure storage of empty pesticide containers
until proper disposal of them is possible.
Those businesses with large quantities of pesticides to store should have
a separate building for this purpose. In addition to the above features,
this building should also include the following characteristics:
-
When feasible, the building should be downwind and downhill from sensitive
areas, such as homes, play areas, feedlots, animal shelters, gardens, and
groundwater sources.
-
The building should be located in an area not subject to flooding.
-
A drainage system should be built to collect any tank rinsing water or
spills. This material should be treated as surplus pesticides and disposed
of according to the label instructions.
-
A water supply should be furnished for mixing, loading, tank rinsing and
cleanup, and showers and cleanup for the persons who mix, load, and apply
the pesticides.
-
Fire detectors and fire fighting equipment should be available.
-
A telephone and list of emergency numbers should be convenient.
-
A current inventory of all materials in storage, along with a label of
all materials, should be maintained in a secure place away from the storage
area. The local fire department should be provided with an updated copy
of the inventory.
-
The storage area should be equipped with personal protective equipment
and materials to handle accidents and spills. Activated charcoal, absorptive
clay, vermiculite, clay-granule type cat litter, or sawdust are good materials
to absorb liquid spills.
-
All pesticides should be dated and identified when they are placed in storage.
Store only what will be needed for one season. Establish a policy of
"first-in, first-used" so that pesticides do not become outdated.
-
Your pesticide storage facility should be inspected periodically by your
fire insurance carrier. It is an excellent management practice and may
reduce your insurance premium.
If drains are installed in the building or on the mixing/loading platform
out-of-doors, the drain water must be captured to prevent contamination
of ground or surface water. Few storage facilities have such drainage systems.
Mixing And Loading
Mixing and loading of pesticides are among the
most dangerous tasks involved in working with these products because people
are working with open containers of concentrated pesticides. For this reason,
individuals employed to perform this activity should be well-informed of
the danger involved and should work under the supervision of a certified,
licensed applicator whenever handling "Restricted-Use Pesticides."
When mixing and loading, applicators should use
all recommended personal protective equipment. The label will identify
the dangers involved and the precautions to follow. Signs and symptoms
of poisoning and recommended first aid procedures should also be found
on the label.
After reading the label directions, make sure
you have taken the following precautions before you begin to mix, load,
and apply pesticides:
-
Have detergent or soap and an adequate supply of water available.
-
Know the early symptoms of poisoning for the pesticides you are using.
-
Know the first aid procedures and have materials and supplies available.
-
Have materials available to handle spills.
-
Be sure that all equipment is functioning properly.
-
Do not work alone; have help available if you get into trouble.
-
Have all the recommended protective clothing and equipment available. Make
sure the respirator fits properly and has the correct canister cartridge.
-
Never eat, drink, smoke, or go to the bathroom while working with pesticides
without first washing your hands.
You are now ready to begin mixing and loading. Follow
these suggestions:
-
Reread the label and follow the directions; pay special attention to the
warnings and precautions.
-
Only authorized mixers, loaders, and/or supervisors should be in the mixing
and loading area.
-
Work in a well-ventilated, well-lighted area.
-
The pesticide container should be in a secure position when opening to
prevent any spillage. Everyone should be wearing the proper personal protective
equipment during this procedure.
-
Stand with your back to the wind so that fumes or dusts are blown away
from you.
-
Mix and load on a concrete slab where spills can be contained. Avoid mixing
or loading near surface water or near a well-head.
-
Mix and pour concentrated pesticides below waist level. Never pour pesticides
at eye level. A spill or splash could be disastrous. Immediately (within
2 minutes) remove clothing and wash yourself and your clothing thoroughly
if pesticides are spilled or splashed on you.
-
When pouring, stand with your head well above the spray tank to prevent
pesticides from splashing in your face. Protect you eyes with splash-proof
goggles.
-
Never pour pesticides directly into a spray tank. Always mix and dilute
in a small container.
-
Pour the pesticide into water, never water into the pesticide.
-
If stirring is necessary, use a stir stick, never your hand.
-
Never overflow a spray tank.
After mixing and loading has been completed, your responsibility continues
with the following procedures:
-
Securely close pesticide containers immediately after use. Return unused
pesticide to its proper storage area.
-
Clean up all spills, no matter how small the amount.
-
Wash mixing and loading pails, measuring devices, and stirring equipment
or tools in strong detergent water. Rinse in clear water and store to air-dry.
-
Wash your personal protective equipment in detergent, rinse, and hang to
air-dry.
-
The wash and rinse water used in steps 3 and 4 should be disposed of by
pouring it into the spray tank. When originally filling the spray tank,
leave room for the rinse water.
-
Remove your clothing, and launder separately with heavy-duty liquid detergent
and hot water. DO NOT USE BLEACH as it could cause a dangerous chemical
reaction. Line-dry the clothing where it is exposed to sunlight.
-
Take a hot shower, using a detergent-type soap. Do not forget to wash your
hair. Put on clean clothing.
Application
When applying pesticides, you are not generally
exposed to the same high concentration of pesticides as during the mixing
and loading operation. However, the time-length of exposure is much longer;
thus, the cumulative exposure may be equal to or greater than during the
mixing-loading operation.
Pesticide applications are made with hand sprayers
and dusters, irrigation equipment, large airblast orchard sprayers, and
aircraft. Whatever equipment is used, many of the safety precautions are
the same. These include the following procedures:
-
Read and follow label directions. Applications which
vary from label requirements are a violation of federal law.
-
Use the correct equipment, and make sure it is properly
maintained and adjusted. Screens, strainers, and nozzles should be cleaned
and should function properly. Appropriate nozzles should be used and properly
adjusted. All lines, valves, and seals should be checked for leaks.
-
The application equipment should be accurately calibrated
on a regular basis. If equipment is applying an inaccurate amount, recalibrate
it. Your operator's manual should provide information on calibration. Additional
information is available through your county Extension office.
-
Wear the proper protective clothing and equipment.
-
Check the weather forecast frequently to determine
if conditions will be favorable for the application and effectiveness of
the pesticide. The National Weather Service always provides an updated
weather forecast.
-
Avoid spraying near sensitive areas where drift could
damage neighboring crops or the environment. When spraying must be done
in these areas, attempt to spray when the humidity is high and when potential
drift will be away from sensitive areas. Lower pressures, proper boom and
nozzle adjustments, a larger nozzle size, and a drift reduction additive
(if the label permits) will reduce drift.
-
Do not make field adjustments to the sprayer in a
recently sprayed, still-wet area. Move to an unsprayed area.
-
Never attempt to clean a nozzle, screen, or hose
by blowing or sucking on it with your mouth. Use small, soft, bristly brushes
and/or an air pressure bulb.
-
Never mix more pesticide than needed. If you do,
avoid draining the spray tank onto the ground. Instead, empty the tank
by spraying the entire contents onto vegetation or other areas for which
it was intended.
For more information, call your county Extension
office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find
the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension
work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914,
and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and
Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity
employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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