Michigan State University Pesticide Applicator Core Training Manual Part A, Chapter 8

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Michigan State University Pesticide Applicator
Core Training Manual Part A, Chapter 8

• Safe Pesticide Handling

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Risk of Pesticide Exposure

• handling
• applying
• mixing
• loading

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Decontamination Materials

• clean water
• soap
• paper towels
• extra coveralls
• eyewash
• first aid kit

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Spill Kit

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• absorbent materials (saw dust, pet litter)
• sweeping compound to keep dry spills from
  spreading
• shovel, broom, and dustpan

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Spill Kit continued

• Heavy-duty detergent
• Fire extinguisher
• Closable, sturdy plastic container

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Mixing and Loading

• outdoors or ventilated area
• away from people, animals and food or feed

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Avoid back-siphoning
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Mixing and Loading

• front of body protection
• (bib-top apron)
• face protection (eye goggles, face shield)
• respirator

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Handling Containers
Do not tear open paper or cardboard containers.
Pour pesticides below face level.
Tightly close containers after each use.
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Cleaning and Disposing of Pesticide Containers
Read the pesticide label for container disposal
information.
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Cleaning and Disposing of Pesticide Containers
Triple or pressure rinse containers immediately
after use.
Puncture or crush rinsed pesticide containers to
make them unusable.
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Triple-Rinse Containers

• Wear PPE.
• Drain concentrate.
• Fill container with water to approximately 20 of
  its volume.
• Replace lid and shake to rinse all interior
  surfaces.
• Drain the rinse water into spray tank.
• Repeat the process 2 more times.

1st rinse water
2nd rinse water
3rd rinse water
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Pressure Rinsing

• Wear PPE, especially gloves and face protection.
• Drain concentrate.
• Push special nozzle through the side or bottom of
  the container while holding the container over
  the spray tank.
• Pressure-rinse for 30 seconds with water draining
  into the spray tank.
• Triple-rinse the container cap with slower
  flowing water.

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Personal Protective Equipment
Read the pesticide label for PPE requirements.
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Personal Protective Equipment
Consider type of application equipment when
choosing PPE.
Avoid re-entering the treated area while making
the pesticide application.
Dripping or partially clogged nozzles, a leaky
hose or loose connection, increases your chance
of pesticide exposure.
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When pesticide fallout may occur, you should
wear

• chemical resistant suit with hood,
• gloves,
• footwear with sealed cuffs,
• and a full-face respirator or a half-face
  respirator with sealed goggles.

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Personal Protective Equipment
When working in enclosed spaces you increase you
risk of inhalation exposure.
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Planning the Pesticide Application

• Read the pesticide label.
• Select the appropriate PPE and make sure it is
  in proper working condition.
• Clear all unprotected people from area to be.

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During the application,
Take time to be sure the pesticide is reaching
the target evenly and in the right amounts.
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During the application,
Turn off the equipment whenever you stop.
Check hoses, valves, nozzles, hoppers and other
parts occasionally during the application.
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After the application,
Clean the application equipment, PPE, and
yourself.
Complete the recordkeeping.
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Cleaning Application Equipment

• BENEFITS
• avoid breaking parts
• reduce corrosion
• prevent clogging

• Wash equipment on a containment pad.
• Wear PPE required by the label.

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Cleaning application equipment
Clean the inside and outside.
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Collect any rinsate
Rinsate washwater that contains a small amount
of pesticide.

• Apply to labeled site following label
  directions.
• Dispose of as you would excess pesticide.

Sump pump in a drain to collect rinsate.
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Closed systems improve safety

• Closed mixing and loading systems
• help prevent pesticide contact
• reduce spills
• can be more accurate
• may require less restrictive PPE

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Mini-bulk containers
Can be adapted to closed systems to help reduce
pesticide exposure.
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Soluble bags
Package dissolves in the solvent (usually water)
in the tank.
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Enclosed application system
Enclosed cab or cockpit with pesticide filtration
system help reduce pesticide exposure.
Remember Remove all pesticide contaminated PPE
before entering enclosed cab or cockpit.
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Pesticide Containment System

• Catches spills, overflows, and rinsate.
• Made of impermeable material like sealed concrete
  or a synthetic liner.
• Pad should be concave with curbs or walls.
• Must have system to recover rinsate or spill.
• Required if you mix, load or clean equipment in
  one place.

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Pesticide Storage
Improper Storage
Proper storage
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Pesticide Storage
surface water
Pesticide Storage
200 ft.
50 ft.
private well
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Pesticide Storage

• A separate pesticide storage building is the
  best.
• Identify the building as pesticide storage with a
  sign.
• Make sure pesticide storage facility is isolated
  and well ventilated.
• Storage building should be constructed for fire
  resistance.

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Pesticide Storage

• Sealed concrete with curbing for spills.
• Floor drains cannot be connected to sewers or
  septic tanks.
• Ventilation reduces fumes and dust.
• Fans should provide 3 to 6 air exchanges per hour
  hour.
• Keep cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight.

curb
floor drain
ventilation system
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Pesticide Storage

• Lock your pesticide storage.
• Store pesticides in original containers with
  label intact.
• Do NOT store pesticides in soft drink bottles or
  other food containers.

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Pesticide Storage

• Metal shelving will not absorb pesticide and
  clean easily.
• Place larger metal drums and non-metallic
  containers on pallets.
• Store liquids below dry formulations.

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Pesticide Storage

• Mark containers with purchase date.
• Buy only the amount of pesticide you will need
  for the job or season.
• Keep inventory and records.

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SARA Title III

• Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act of 1986
• MSU Extension Bulletin E-2575

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Highly Flammable Pesticide Precautions

• Read the pesticide label.
• Contain oils or petroleum solvents.
• Store away from open flames and heat sources.
• Keep glass containers out of sunlight.

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If fire occurs

• Clear the area
• Inform firefighters about chemicals
• Consider potential explosion
• Contain fire materials

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Transporting Pesticides

• Transport in back of truck with side and tail
  racks.
• Steel or plastic-lined beds are easily cleaned.
• Carry a spill kit.

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Transporting Pesticides

• Never carry pesticides in the passenger section.
• No pets or people near pesticides.
• No food, feed, clothing near pesticides.
• Do NOT leave vehicle unlocked or unattended.

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Transporting Pesticides

• Keep highly volatile pesticides separate.
• Do NOT transport damaged containers.
• Anchor containers.
• Protect pesticides from extreme temperatures.

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Commercial applicators transporting pesticides

• Regulation 637 requires
• company name,
• business phone number and address,
• or company US DOT census.

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3 Cs of spill cleanup

• Control
• Contain
• Clean up

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Control the spill

• Wear PPE.
• Stop the source of the spill.
• Keep people away from spill areas.
• Avoid any drift or fumes that may be released.

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Contain the spill

• Containment snakes can be used to surround the
  spill.
• Cat litter or fine sand can be used.
• Prevent spill from reaching any water source by
  blocking or redirecting it.

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Clean up the spill

• Collect the absorbent materials.
• Place in a leak-proof container.
• Dispose of according to label directions.
• If spill on an impervious floor, use heavy-duty
  detergent to clean and decontaminate the area.

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Spill Assistance

• Michigan Department of Agriculture
• Agriculture Pollution Emergency Hot Line
• 1-800-405-0101

If the product is on EPAs Extremely Hazardous
Substance list, the spill needs to be reported to
the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the
State Emergency Response Commission. MSU
Extension Bulletin E-2575.
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Safe Pesticide Handling
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