Farm plant protection products have an important role. However, if they’re not used safely, then you could be at risk. The best approach is to first ask “is it necessary to use a pesticide?” If it is, then safety is a priority.
We need the habit of safe procedures in order to safeguard our own health and the health of others who might come in contact with the spray. The Teagasc Curriculum Development and Standards Unit Safe Use of Pesticides Module Workbook (version 4) was used in compiling this article.
Training
Statutory Instrument S.I 155 of 2012 put the Sustainable Use Directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) into Irish law.
The directive specifies training of the various people involved at all levels of the industry, including Pesticide advisers, pesticide distributors, professional users/sprayer operators, and inspectors of pesticide application equipment.
Only a registered professional user can apply plant protection products authorised for professional use. In order to register with DAFM, users must have the appropriate training.
Safe spraying programme
Before purchasing pesticide products, take some time to carry out a risk assessment and develop a programme.
The HSA Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment Document is a legal requirement for all farms with three or fewer employees. It has a detailed section devoted to a farm chemicals risk assessment.
Following the check list will help identify high risk areas and also help to develop associated necessary controls. In addition to the risk assessment, it is important to consider the following.
Hazard elimination: Can spraying be avoided altogether?Hazard reduction: Can a safer pesticide achieve much the same result?Safer techniques: Can the job be made safer by:using a safer chemical transfer system, eg, an induction bowl.reducing drift by using lower pressures or low-drift nozzles.fitting a clean water tank to the sprayer.Protective clothing and equipment: Use protective clothing and equipment to remove any residual risk of contamination.
Protective clothing and equipment
It is vital that before you use a pesticide product that you read the information supplied with the product and that you also understand it. Always seek advice if you have questions.
The areas on a label you should pay particular attention to are:
Safety information and precautions. Directions for use.Compatibility with other chemicals.Any specific instructions which are emphasised on the label as being important.Pesticide Control Service (PCS) number to ensure that the product is approved for use.
Figure 2. The HSA chemical safety risk assessment.
Figure 1. You should read the label of any product being applied before using it.
Safe handling of chemicals
A safe system of handling, transporting and storing pesticide product and filling the sprayer tank must be in place.
Storage
Pesticides must be stored, on their own, in a locked cabinet that has enough storage capacity for the maximum amount of chemicals stored on the farm. It must be built and located to keep the risk of fire to a minimum, contain chemical spillages and be frost-proof.
Filling the sprayer
The greatest risks of contamination occur when handling concentrate pesticide product, during opening containers and measuring out concentrate, and transferring pesticide concentrate to the sprayer tank. So, a safe system of carrying out these operations must be in place.
Filling the sprayer at a specially designed station, adjacent to the chemical store will assist efficient and safe handling.
A sprayer fitted with a suction probe device that can suck neat pesticide (liquids) into the spray tank will help to reduce exposure to the chemical and also reduce the risk of contamination. A sprayer equipped with a container rinse will greatly assist rinsing of empty containers.
Personal Protection Equipment
Having an organised area to fill the sprayer and clean cans is very helpful.
The Health Safety and Welfare at Work Act requires that, prior to the selection of personal protection equipment, the employer/self-employed must provide the level of protection necessitated by the hazard present where operations take place, using the guidance provided by the manufacturer of the chemical to be applied.
Before you set out to spray, you should check that the protective clothing and equipment you’ve chosen is in good working order and is capable of providing the safe level of protection you require.
Essential items of PPE for handling pesticide concentrate
Gloves.Face protection.Coveralls.Footwear.Respiratory equipment.Gloves
Gloves are a very important item of protective gear. To be suitable for handling pesticides they must be of the right material and the right size.
The best materials are nitrile and neoprene, being light and flexible but resistant to the commonly-used pesticides.
Household rubber gloves are not resistant to the solvents included in many pesticide formulations and are not suitable. Glove size is important – too small, they are uncomfortable to wear; too big, they are sloppy and restrict use of the fingers. Flock-lined gloves are easier to put on and remove.
The gauntlet should be big enough to protect at least the wrist. The most suitable lengths are 330 – 380mm, as they protect the wrists. To protect the lower forearm, 450mm gauntlet Nitrile Gloves are used.
Choose CE marked category III gloves –EN374.
Gloves should be washed at the end of each spraying job/at the end of the day’s spraying, inside as well as outside.
Even the best gloves have a limited life. Dispose of damaged gloves. A supply of nitrile or neoprene spraying gloves should be kept in stock so that there is always a pair available for when you go spraying.
Never wear damaged or torn gloves.
Face-shield
A face-shield should always be worn when filling the sprayer to prevent neat chemical splashing into your eyes or mouth or onto your skin when it is being poured. The ideal face-shield, consists of a brow-guard, an adjustable headband, a visor and a chin guard.
The shield should fit firmly but comfortably on your head, and ideally should be designed so that it can be swung in and out of position without having to remove it from your head. Goggles and a face mask will give almost the same degree of protection as a face shield when filling the sprayer.
Coveralls
An outer coverall or one-piece overall with full-length sleeves and legs – with or without a hood – and either zipped pockets or no pockets at all, should be worn when handling chemicals and while spraying. It should be removed for washing or disposal when finished spraying.
Coveralls must be capable of keeping spray materials from coming in contact with your clothes and under-garments and ultimately your skin.
Seek assurance from your supplier, check the garment labels and read the instructions for use to be sure that they are suitable for the job you are doing.
It is best to choose coveralls that give type 4 spray tight protection. CE category 3.
Footwear
Waterproof protective boots, such as wellingtons, should be worn by all operators and are essential for anyone using hand-operated equipment, lances or knapsacks. Boots made from absorbent material (eg, leather) should not be worn.
The danger is that drops of concentrated product will be absorbed and will be impossible to wash off properly. In situations where a lot of spraying has to be done, a PVC/Nitrile wellington will give a good level of protection.
These are also cooler in use and have a washable nylon lining. Consider having a separate pair of wellingtons to be used for spraying only.
Apron
Wearing a neoprene or similar apron is useful to reinforce materials which may not be completely waterproof.
Always read the label in advance of using pesticides products for advice on first aid measures.
Keep a stocked first aid box in a designated place. Have clean running water available. In cases of eye contamination, flush with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes.If a person handling or exposed to pesticides becomes ill, ring emergency services and apply first aid measures appropriate to pesticide poisoning.Respirators, depending on the filter used, offer varying degrees of protection. They must fit properly on the face so it is important to follow manufacturer’s recommendations. EN 143 type respirator filter units should be used in the respirator when using pesticides.
Always inspect the filters in the respirator and replace them in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. The respirator should be cleaned with soapy water, dried and stored in a clean ventilated locker away from pesticides. The filters should be replaced at the recommended intervals.
Ensure you buy the right filter. The following colour code is used for respirator filters. It comes from the HSA Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment.
Farm plant protection products have an important role. However, if they’re not used safely, then you could be at risk. The best approach is to first ask “is it necessary to use a pesticide?” If it is, then safety is a priority.
We need the habit of safe procedures in order to safeguard our own health and the health of others who might come in contact with the spray. The Teagasc Curriculum Development and Standards Unit Safe Use of Pesticides Module Workbook (version 4) was used in compiling this article.
Training
Statutory Instrument S.I 155 of 2012 put the Sustainable Use Directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) into Irish law.
The directive specifies training of the various people involved at all levels of the industry, including Pesticide advisers, pesticide distributors, professional users/sprayer operators, and inspectors of pesticide application equipment.
Only a registered professional user can apply plant protection products authorised for professional use. In order to register with DAFM, users must have the appropriate training.
Safe spraying programme
Before purchasing pesticide products, take some time to carry out a risk assessment and develop a programme.
The HSA Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment Document is a legal requirement for all farms with three or fewer employees. It has a detailed section devoted to a farm chemicals risk assessment.
Following the check list will help identify high risk areas and also help to develop associated necessary controls. In addition to the risk assessment, it is important to consider the following.
Hazard elimination: Can spraying be avoided altogether?Hazard reduction: Can a safer pesticide achieve much the same result?Safer techniques: Can the job be made safer by:using a safer chemical transfer system, eg, an induction bowl.reducing drift by using lower pressures or low-drift nozzles.fitting a clean water tank to the sprayer.Protective clothing and equipment: Use protective clothing and equipment to remove any residual risk of contamination.
Protective clothing and equipment
It is vital that before you use a pesticide product that you read the information supplied with the product and that you also understand it. Always seek advice if you have questions.
The areas on a label you should pay particular attention to are:
Safety information and precautions. Directions for use.Compatibility with other chemicals.Any specific instructions which are emphasised on the label as being important.Pesticide Control Service (PCS) number to ensure that the product is approved for use.
Figure 2. The HSA chemical safety risk assessment.
Figure 1. You should read the label of any product being applied before using it.
Safe handling of chemicals
A safe system of handling, transporting and storing pesticide product and filling the sprayer tank must be in place.
Storage
Pesticides must be stored, on their own, in a locked cabinet that has enough storage capacity for the maximum amount of chemicals stored on the farm. It must be built and located to keep the risk of fire to a minimum, contain chemical spillages and be frost-proof.
Filling the sprayer
The greatest risks of contamination occur when handling concentrate pesticide product, during opening containers and measuring out concentrate, and transferring pesticide concentrate to the sprayer tank. So, a safe system of carrying out these operations must be in place.
Filling the sprayer at a specially designed station, adjacent to the chemical store will assist efficient and safe handling.
A sprayer fitted with a suction probe device that can suck neat pesticide (liquids) into the spray tank will help to reduce exposure to the chemical and also reduce the risk of contamination. A sprayer equipped with a container rinse will greatly assist rinsing of empty containers.
Personal Protection Equipment
Having an organised area to fill the sprayer and clean cans is very helpful.
The Health Safety and Welfare at Work Act requires that, prior to the selection of personal protection equipment, the employer/self-employed must provide the level of protection necessitated by the hazard present where operations take place, using the guidance provided by the manufacturer of the chemical to be applied.
Before you set out to spray, you should check that the protective clothing and equipment you’ve chosen is in good working order and is capable of providing the safe level of protection you require.
Essential items of PPE for handling pesticide concentrate
Gloves.Face protection.Coveralls.Footwear.Respiratory equipment.Gloves
Gloves are a very important item of protective gear. To be suitable for handling pesticides they must be of the right material and the right size.
The best materials are nitrile and neoprene, being light and flexible but resistant to the commonly-used pesticides.
Household rubber gloves are not resistant to the solvents included in many pesticide formulations and are not suitable. Glove size is important – too small, they are uncomfortable to wear; too big, they are sloppy and restrict use of the fingers. Flock-lined gloves are easier to put on and remove.
The gauntlet should be big enough to protect at least the wrist. The most suitable lengths are 330 – 380mm, as they protect the wrists. To protect the lower forearm, 450mm gauntlet Nitrile Gloves are used.
Choose CE marked category III gloves –EN374.
Gloves should be washed at the end of each spraying job/at the end of the day’s spraying, inside as well as outside.
Even the best gloves have a limited life. Dispose of damaged gloves. A supply of nitrile or neoprene spraying gloves should be kept in stock so that there is always a pair available for when you go spraying.
Never wear damaged or torn gloves.
Face-shield
A face-shield should always be worn when filling the sprayer to prevent neat chemical splashing into your eyes or mouth or onto your skin when it is being poured. The ideal face-shield, consists of a brow-guard, an adjustable headband, a visor and a chin guard.
The shield should fit firmly but comfortably on your head, and ideally should be designed so that it can be swung in and out of position without having to remove it from your head. Goggles and a face mask will give almost the same degree of protection as a face shield when filling the sprayer.
Coveralls
An outer coverall or one-piece overall with full-length sleeves and legs – with or without a hood – and either zipped pockets or no pockets at all, should be worn when handling chemicals and while spraying. It should be removed for washing or disposal when finished spraying.
Coveralls must be capable of keeping spray materials from coming in contact with your clothes and under-garments and ultimately your skin.
Seek assurance from your supplier, check the garment labels and read the instructions for use to be sure that they are suitable for the job you are doing.
It is best to choose coveralls that give type 4 spray tight protection. CE category 3.
Footwear
Waterproof protective boots, such as wellingtons, should be worn by all operators and are essential for anyone using hand-operated equipment, lances or knapsacks. Boots made from absorbent material (eg, leather) should not be worn.
The danger is that drops of concentrated product will be absorbed and will be impossible to wash off properly. In situations where a lot of spraying has to be done, a PVC/Nitrile wellington will give a good level of protection.
These are also cooler in use and have a washable nylon lining. Consider having a separate pair of wellingtons to be used for spraying only.
Apron
Wearing a neoprene or similar apron is useful to reinforce materials which may not be completely waterproof.
Always read the label in advance of using pesticides products for advice on first aid measures.
Keep a stocked first aid box in a designated place. Have clean running water available. In cases of eye contamination, flush with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes.If a person handling or exposed to pesticides becomes ill, ring emergency services and apply first aid measures appropriate to pesticide poisoning.Respirators, depending on the filter used, offer varying degrees of protection. They must fit properly on the face so it is important to follow manufacturer’s recommendations. EN 143 type respirator filter units should be used in the respirator when using pesticides.
Always inspect the filters in the respirator and replace them in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. The respirator should be cleaned with soapy water, dried and stored in a clean ventilated locker away from pesticides. The filters should be replaced at the recommended intervals.
Ensure you buy the right filter. The following colour code is used for respirator filters. It comes from the HSA Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment.
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