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.
It
is important to keep your skin protected as much as possible
while working with or around pesticides. Pesticides can splash
and spill and can be present on your clothing, even if you
don't see any residue. Coveralls, aprons, spray suits, gloves,
hats, boots, goggles and face shields are designed to protect
you from getting the pesticide on your skin or into your body.
Coveralls are available
in disposable or rubber-like materials. (See Figure 1.)
Disposable coveralls are lightweight and reasonably comfortable. They offer good
protection if they are not damaged. If they become severely contaminated or damaged,
discard them at once. Chemically resistant coveralls are similar to a rubber suit
and must be worn when the label indicates the requirement for full-body protection.
If you have questions about which coverall to wear, ask your supervisor.
Change out of your work
clothes at the end of the work day, or sooner if they become contaminated. (See
Figure 2.) Your employer is responsible for providing
for the cleaning of your work clothes; therefore, if specific laundry bins are
provided, leave your work clothes in them. Remember not to wash your work clothes
together with your family laundry.
The skin on your hands
can absorb pesticides and their solvents. Protect your hands by wearing liquid-proof
gloves. (See Figure 3.) Never use gloves that have a
cloth lining, wristband, or that are made of leather. These materials soak up
pesticides instead of repel them. When wearing your gloves, wear your shirt sleeves
on the outside of your gloves. This will prevent any spills and splashes from
running down into your gloves and onto your hands. If your work requires you to
raise arms overhead, tape your sleeve inside your glove. After using non-disposable
gloves, rinse them well in clean water before removing them.
Do not wear ordinary baseball
type hats or straw hats that have leather sweatbands. These hats are dangerous
because of their absorbent material. Wear a liquid-proof hat, preferably made
of a washable plastic. (See Figure 4.) The hat may be
a hard hat or made of flexible plastic. At the end of the work day, rinse your
hat well in clean water.
When you load, mix or spray
large amounts of pesticides, wear liquid-proof, unlined overshoes or boots to
protect your feet from exposure to pesticide residue. (See Figure
5.) When wearing boots, wear your pant legs on the outside to prevent spills
and splashes from running into the boot and onto your leg. At the end of the work
day, wash your boots well in soapy water.
Wear clean clothing each
day. (See Figure 6.) If your clothes get wet with spray,
change them immediately; don't wait until the end of the day. Pesticide residue
can remain in the fibers of your clothing and can make contact with your skin.
Pesticides can be very
irritating or corrosive to the eyes. California law requires that goggles or face
shields must be used and kept clean at all times to avoid contact with a pesticide.
(See Figure 7.)
It is
especially important to protect your eyes and face with goggles
and face shield when pouring or mixing a liquid concentration
of highly toxic pesticides. Remember to clean your goggles
and face shields with soap and water daily.
A respirator is one of
the most important pieces of equipment for pesticide applicators. (See Figure
8.) Chemical cartridge respirators have one or two cartridges attached to
the face piece. These types are usually equipped with one-way valves that allow
inhaled air to pass through the cartridges. If the respirator uses filters, the
filters must be changed daily. Ask your supervisor if you have questions about
the use of a respirator.
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 This publication is compiled from various reference sources
and is designed to provide current and authoritative information
on the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding
that the publishers are not engaged in rendering medical,
legal, accounting or other professional service. AgSafe, the
Safety Center, Inc., and FELS believe the information provided
to be correct, but assume no liability for consequential or
other damages attendant to the use of this material. In no
event shall the liability of AgSafe, the Safety Center, Inc.,
or FELS for any claim, however designated, exceed the purchase
price, if any, for this publication. No claim may be maintained
against AgSafe, the Safety Center, Inc., or FELS in any tribunal
unless written notice of the claim is delivered to the applicable
entity within 30 days of its discovery. Information about
the Agsafe Project can be obtained by writing to Agsafe, 140
Warren Hall, University of California, Berkeley,
CA 94720
.
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