Getting a Handle on Pesticides

Pesticides used today are less toxic and used less frequently than several years ago. Nevertheless, they can be a serious hazard to employees if not stored and used properly.

Storage

Store pesticides in a room located away from eating areas, boiler rooms or fertilizer storage or in a separate building located downhill from water supply or production areas. The floor should be concrete; walls should be constructed of non-combustible materials; doors should have a sill to contain spills. Another way to contain spills is to construct a dike around the building.

Provide forced ventilation that either operates continuously or starts automatically when interior lights are turned on. Locate the mixing area so spills will not contaminate stored chemicals. Prevent siphoning chemicals into the water supply with a backflow preventer on your water supplies. If you do locate your pesticide storage facility in a greenhouse or service building, locate it on an outside wall so it is directly accessible. Keep it away from break areas, offices and fertilizer storage. It should not be near oil, L.P. gas, oxygen or acetylene storage and should also be away from furnaces and boiler rooms. Small quantities (i.e., less than 200 pounds of dry material and/or 25 gallons of liquid pesticide) of chemicals may be stored in a separate room in an existing building. If the room has windows, block them to keep out sunlight, which can deteriorate the chemicals. Very small quantities of chemicals, no more than will fit in a cabinet, may be stored in a metal cabinet anywhere in the facility. Separate different types of chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides and herbicides.

Keep all storage facilities locked. Only allow access to persons who are required to use the facility. Do not hang the key near the door, and post a sign identifying the storage facility contents on the outside of the building, room or cabinet.

Tracking

It is important to document proper use and disposal of all chemicals. A log should be kept to record purchases, use and disposal of all pesticides. Take inventory of pesticides at least once each year, keeping the amount on hand equal to the total of all purchases, minus the amounts used or disposed of.

Keep complete records of all pesticide applications. Records are legally required for restricted-use pesticides. Each record should list the date and time of application and the name of the pesticide. Also list the total amount applied, rate of application, type of equipment used, crop treated and formulation. In addition, the record should describe the area treated, weather conditions, the target pest and the name of the applicator. Keep these records for a minimum of three years. Record and carefully investigate any complaints of exposure to pesticides or possible pesticide poisoning.

Equipment

It is the employer's responsibility to make certain protective equipment is being used properly, not to merely make such items available. Select protective equipment based on the manufacturer's recommendations listed on the label and in the material safety data sheet (MSDS). At a minimum, an applicator should wear a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, and chemical-resistant rubber gloves and footwear when mixing, transferring or applying pesticides. A chemical-resistant hat should be worn when spraying overhead. It is important that the equipment fits the employee and is properly adjusted. Goggles or a face shield are also recommended when mixing. A respirator may also be required, especially if powders are being handled.

Keep personal protective equipment outside the chemical storage area. Make soap, water and paper towels available at the mixing site. An emergency shower facility is also a good idea along with eyewash facilities connected to the domestic water supply. However, portable eyewash facilities are acceptable if they provide a 15-minute supply of running water.

Replace respirator cartridges as specified by the manufacturer, and keep them clean by storing them in plastic bags. This also prevents the cartridge from becoming worn out due to pesticide, oil or gasoline vapors in the air. Some cartridges also have expiration indicators built in that change color to indicate they are worn out.

In hot weather, Tyvek suits, aprons and respirators can be very hot. Schedule frequent breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Try to schedule spraying early in the day when it will be cooler. Though it is cooler toward evening, spraying at this time may lead to disease development because plants remain wet all night. Rotating applications helps because no one has to be wearing the equipment for a long period of time.

Signs

Post emergency phone numbers in storage and mixing areas, and make sure all employees know who in the company to notify in case of an emergency. Inform employees of the number to call or where to take an injured employee if no one in management is available. Keeping all records of pesticide storage and use outside the chemical storage area will help employees better communicate with emergency technicians.

Treated areas in greenhouses must be posted for the protection of workers. All normal entrances must be posted with an approved warning sign. The standard size of the sign is 14 x 16 inches, but smaller-sized signs may be used. See your supplier or insurance company, or contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for samples of approved warning signs and details on the use of smaller signs. The signs should list the date and time the area can be re-entered.

Re-entry time will vary from four hours to several days, depending on the pesticide used. No one should be allowed in the area prior to that time without complete protective equipment. There are certain exceptions (check with the EPA or USDA), but even then, re-entry is only allowed under specified conditions, and a special form must be completed and mailed to the EPA. See your insurance company loss control representative, state EPA or extension agent for details about any exception.

Disposal

The best and safest way to dispose of pesticides is to buy only as much as is needed and apply it all to crops listed on the label.

Some pesticides may be disposed of through a regular disposal service. Others must be disposed of by licensed hazardous waste haulers in special landfills or incinerators. Never burn pesticides or dump pesticide concentrates on the ground. Try to use rinse water from spray tanks in future spray mixes, but be careful not to incorporate herbicide-contaminated rinse water on sensitive plants. Rinse water may be disposed of on your own property only if the label explicitly permits it.

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If the label specifies triple-rinsing of pesticide containers for disposal, use the following procedure:

1. Fill the container 10 percent full with rinse water.

2. Pour the rinse water into a spray tank.

3. Repeat twice more.

4. Fill spray tank to the proper water level.

5. Puncture or crush metal or plastic pesticide containers.

6. Triple-rinsed containers may generally be disposed of in regular refuse collections, but check with state and local authorities first.