United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Prevention,
Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
(7506C)
EPA 735-B-93-003
December 1993
&EPA
Protect Yourself from
Pesticides —
for Pesticide Handlers
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed on paper that contains
at least 50% recycled fiber
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Protect Yourself from Pesticides—Guide for Pesticide Handlers was developed jointly by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Extension Service.
It presents all the information required for training pesticide handlers under the EPA Worker Protection
Standard (WPS). The handbook is also available in Spanish, titledProtejase de los Pesticidas: Guia Para los
que Manejan Pesticidas.
This handbook contains a complete WPS pesticide safety training program for pesticide handlers. It also
includes valuable information for both trainers and pesticide handlers.
* Trainers: Each training unit includes objectives, opening questions, and suggested discussion questions
for review. The supplementary material at the end of this handbook provides an overview of pesticide
regulation and WPS training requirements, training notes, a summary of the training verification program,
and details about the protections that WPS requires for pesticide handlers.
* Pesticide Handlers: After you attend the safety training program, use this handbook to review the
material. The suggested discussion questions at the end of each training unit will help you focus on
important safety information. Refer to the supplementary material at the end of the handbook to learn
more about the WPS and the protections required for pesticide handlers.
Additional State or Tribal Training Requirements: Some States and Tribes have additional requirements for
pesticide safety training for pesticide handlers. Contact the State or Tribal agency responsible for pesticide
enforcement in your area to obtain the information you need to comply with all State or Tribal training
requirements.
Other Materials Available: Other materials about the Worker Protection Standard include a handbook on
pesticide safety for agricultural workers, a safety poster, and a manual for agricultural employers.
For more information about these or other publications and about the WPS, contact the State or Tribal agency
responsible for pesticide enforcement in your area, your EPA regional office listed on the inside back cover of
this handbook, or the—
Occupational Safety Branch (7506C)
Office of Pesticide Programs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 305-7666
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Contents
WPS Safety Training Guide for Pesticide Handlers
Introduction 1
1. Pesticide Exposure 4
2. Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning 8
3. Emergency First Aid 11
4. Other Health Effects 1 7
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 19
6. Respirators 25
7. Heat Stress 31
8. Pesticide Labels 34
9. Transporting Pesticides 42
10. Storing Pesticides 44
11. Mixing and Loading Pesticides 46
12. Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills... 50
13. Cleaning Pesticide Containers 53
14. Disposing of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers 56
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15. Flagging ,.. 58
16. Applying Pesticides , 60
17. Cleaning Up 63
Conclusion 69
Suggested Discussion Questions and Responses 70
Supplementary Materials
Overview 85
Notes for Trainers 91
Training Verification 94
WPS Protections for Pesticide Handlers 95
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Introduction
Pesticides are chemicals that control pests.
They include—
4 Insecticides for insects.
4 Herbicides for weeds.
4 Fungicides for plant diseases.
4 Pesticides for other pests, such as
rodents and birds.
Pesticides vary in the ways they control a
pest. They can kill the pest, inhibit its
growth, affect pest reproduction, or serve
as a barrier to the pest.
Unfortunately, pesticides can also hurt
people, pets, other animals, and the
environment if they are not used carefully
and according to label directions.
By law, your employer must provide you
with the information and equipment
necessary to protect you from pesticides
when you work in agricultural
establishments—farms, forests, nurseries,
and greenhouses. This law is called the
Worker Protection Standard. It was
issued by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
But your employer cannot do the whole
job. You need to learn as much as you can
about pesticides and how to protect
yourself and others. The Worker
Protection Standard requires that pesticide
handlers receive training in the safe
use of pesticides.
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Introduction
You are a pesticide handler if you—
* Apply pesticides.
4 Assist with pesticide applications.
+ Clean, repair, or maintain pesticide
application equipment—such as boom
sprayers, backpack sprayers, or
hoppers—that may contain pesticide
residues.
+ Mix, load, or transfer pesticides into
application equipment.
•* Dispose of pesticides or materials with
pesticides on them, such as containers.
+• Act as a flagger.
> Perform tasks as a crop advisor during
a pesticide application or a restricted-
entry interval (REI).
During any of these activities, you could
come into contact with a pesticide and
become sick or injured.
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Introduction
Therefore, it is important for you to receive
training in how to—
* Deal with the health hazards associated
with pesticide exposure.
* Recognize signs and symptoms of
pesticide exposure and heat-related
illness.
4 Respond to emergencies involving
pesticides (first aid, spill cleanup).
* Wear, use, and maintain personal
protective equipment (for example,
goggles, respirators, and gloves).
* Read and understand information on
a pesticide label.
4 Safely transport, mix, load, store,
apply, and dispose of pesticides.
* Safely operate mixing, loading,
application, and pesticide-transfer
equipment.
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4
UNIT 1
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Name three places where you are
likely to find pesticide residues.
4 Identify four ways that pesticides
can enter the body.
4 State how you are most likely to be
injured by pesticides.
4 Give five examples of when to wash
so that you avoid getting pesticides
in your mouth.
Opening Questions
Have you ever splashed pesticides on
yourself? How did it happen?
Where do you take a break at work? Is
it near an area where pesticides are
mixed, loaded, used, or stored?
Pesticide Exposure
Tie best way to protect yourself is to
;eep pesticides from getting on or in
your body. Watch out for—
4 Splashes and spills.
4 Sprays and dusts from pesticide
applications.
4 Residues, which are pesticides that
remain on plants or soil or in the air
after an application. Residues can
sometimes be found in irrigation
water, too.
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Pesticide Exposure
A pesticide can poison or injure you—
4 If you swallow it.
4 If it gets into your eyes.
* If you breathe it.
+ If it gets on your skin.
If pesticides get on or in your body, they
may make you sick. It is important for you
to know that if handlers get sick from a
pesticide, it is most often because the
pesticide has spilled or splashed onto their
skin. Pesticides can enter the body even
more easily through cuts and wounds.
When you handle pesticides or work in
areas where pesticides have been applied,
wash your hands with soap and water
every time you take a break. Leave the
area where pesticides are located and wash
your hands and face before you—
+ Eat.
+ Drink.
4 Chew gum.
4 Use tobacco.
* Put on makeup.
If you don't, you may wipe pesticides that
are on your hands or face into your mouth
and swallow them.
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Pesticide Exposure
Because pesticides can enter your body
through your eyes and skin, you should
avoid wiping your eyes, face, and neck
when you have been handling pesticides.
It is also important to wash your hands
before using the toilet.
Tobacco and food absorb pesticides, so
don't carry them with you while you work.
Leave them someplace where pesticides
won't get on them.
Remember: Wash your
hands and face before
you—
+ Eat.
4 Drink.
+ Chew gum.
+ Use tobacco.
4 Put on makeup.
4 Use the toilet.
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Pesticide Exposure
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Where could pesticide residues be?
2. How can pesticides enter your body?
3. How are you as a handler most likely to be exposed to and harmed
by pesticides?
4. How often should you wash your hands when working with pesticides?
5. Before what activities should you wash your hands after working
with pesticides?
6. Name two items not to carry with you (in your pockets) when working
with pesticides.
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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8
UNIT 2
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Name twelve different symptoms of
pesticide poisoning.
4 List four steps to follow in response
to possible pesticide poisoning.
Opening Questions
Have you ever felt sick while working
around pesticides? Which part of your
body was affected? What did you do
about it?
Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
Some pesticides can make you sick
very quickly if you are exposed to too
much of them.
Too much exposure to some pesticides may
make you feel tired and dizzy. Over-
exposure to these pesticides can also cause
stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea,
headaches, or blurred vision. When you
are sick from these pesticides, you may
sweat too much, have pains in your chest,
or have trouble breathing. You
pass out.
may even
Some pesticides, especially some
fungicides and herbicides, may give you
skin rashes and burns and may irritate your
eyes or make them burn. Some liquid
pesticide formulations, such as ECs
(emulsifiable concentrates), are especially
likely to burn your eyes and skin.
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Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
Pesticides called fumigants are used as
gases in soil and in greenhouses. These
can be very dangerous if you breathe them
or if they get into your body through your
skin. They can damage your lungs and
other body systems. People who have been
poisoned by these pesticide gases may talk
and act as if they are drunk.
When you are working with pesticides, if
you feel dizzy or sick or have trouble
breathing, stop what you are doing right
away. Start following the emergency first
aid procedures listed on the pesticide label
to control the pesticide's harmful effects.
Call your boss if possible or a co-worker
for help. Have someone drive you to an
emergency medical center if necessary.
Remember: These
symptoms can be signs of
pesticide poisoning—
4 Tiredness or dizziness.
+ Headaches or
blurred vision.
4 Sweating too much.
* Pains in your chest or
trouble breathing.
+ Throwing up.
* Stomach cramps
or diarrhea.
+ Skin rashes.
Eye irritation.
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10
Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Name the symptoms that may be signs of pesticide poisoning.
2. Name four things you should do if you have signs of pesticide poisoning.
3. What are emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) and how can they harm you?
4. Are pesticides in the form of gases harmful?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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11
UNIT 3
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Tell where at work to find
emergency information: (1) the
name, address, and telephone
number of the nearest emergency
medical center and (2) first aid
directions.
* Explain why it is important to read
the pesticide label before working
with pesticides.
* Identify four items that employers
must supply for pesticide handlers.
+ Explain what to do if you—
a Get a pesticide on your clothes
or skin.
a Get a pesticide in your eyes.
a Breathe a pesticide.
a Swallow a pesticide.
* Tell how to help a co-worker who
shows signs of poisoning from
breathing a pesticide.
* Tell,what information to give the
doctor when calling about someone
who may be poisoned by a
pesticide.
* Tell what to take to the doctor.
Opening Questions
Have you ever known co-workers who
got pesticides on their clothes or on
their skin? What did they do? Did you
help them? How?
Do you know where to find the name,
address, and telephone number of the
nearest emergency medical center?
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12
Emergency First Aid
Tie name, address, and telephone
lumber of the nearest place to get
emergency medical help must be posted
at the place where you work. Be sure you
know ahead of time where this emergency
information is located so that you can get
help for yourself or others quickly in an
emergency.
All pesticide labels have an emergency first
aid section. Read it or have someone
explain it to you before you handle the
pesticide. You should know the emergency
first aid procedures before you need to use
them. If you do the wrong thing in an
emergency, it could make you even sicker.
By law, your employer must provide you
with soap, a clean change of clothing,
towels, and enough water to wash
pesticides off your body. These cleaning
materials must be kept near the area where
you are working. Do not use water from
irrigation ditches and canals—it could have
pesticides in it.
If pesticide gets on your clothes or skin,
take your clothes off right away and wash
your skin with lots of soap and water.
The faster you act, the less likely you are
to get sick or be harmed.
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13
Emergency First Aid
If pesticide gets in your eyes, rinse them
right away with an eyeflush kit or allow a
gentle stream of clean water to flow across
them. Hold your eyelids open and keep
rinsing your eyes for about 15 minutes.
If you breathe in a pesticide, get to fresh air
immediately. If you are having difficulty
breathing, call for help, then sit down and
try to breathe normally. It is not a good
idea to walk around if you are having
difficulty breathing.
If you have to rescue someone who has
breathed in pesticides and who may be
unconscious, make sure that you do not
expose yourself to the same danger. Wear
the appropriate respiratory protection and
move the victim to fresh air. Then remove
the victim's respirator (if present), loosen
the clothing, and give mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation if the person is not breathing.
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14
Emergency First Aid
If you swallow some pesticide, it is
essential to follow the first aid directions
on the pesticide label. In particular, the
label will tell you whether or not to make
yourself throw up. The best way to induce
vomiting is to put a finger to the back of
your throat. Labels for some pesticides tell
you not to induce vomiting. These
pesticides are corrosive and will cause
further damage if you try to vomit. If you
are helping someone who has swallowed
pesticides, never induce vomiting if the
person is unconscious or having
convulsions.
Get someone to take you to the doctor—
4 If you swallow a pesticide or get it in
your eyes.
+ If you spill a concentrate or a lot of
diluted pesticide on your skin.
* If you find it difficult to breathe.
4 If your skin shows signs of burning.
4 If you feel ill and think you may have
pesticide poisoning.
Have someone call ahead to tell the doctor
the brand name or common name and the
EPA registration number of the pesticide
and how you were exposed. The doctor
needs these facts to decide how to help
you. If possible, take a copy of the
pesticide label with you.
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Emergency First Aid
Suggested Review and Discussion
1 Where can you find the name, address, and telephone number of the nearest
emergency medical center?
2. Where can you find first aid information about a pesticide?
3. Why should you read the Ia6el before working with a pesticide?
4. Name four [terns that employers must supply for pesticide handlers to help them
get pesticides off their skin.
I
5. What should y do if pesticide gets on your clothes or skin?
6. What shouF do if pesticide gets in your eyes?
.f.
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16
Emergency First Aid
7. What should you do if you breathe in a pesticide?
8. What emergency first aid treatment should you give a co-worker who has
breathed in a pesticide?
9. What should you do if you swallow a pesticide?
10. When should you not induce vomiting?
11. When should you have someone take you to a doctor?
12. What will the doctor need to know right away?
13. If possible, what should you take with you to the doctd
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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17
UNIT 4
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Name three symptoms of allergic
reaction to a pesticide.
4 Identify the possible long-term
effects of pesticide poisoning.
+ Recall the critical safety rule to
follow when handling pesticides.
Opening Questions
Do you find that you are more sensitive
to some pesticides than you are to
others? If so, how does your body react
when you are working with these
pesticides? What can you do to prevent
the reaction?
Do you know anything about scientific
studies on animals and their exposure to
pesticides?
Have you heard anything about long-
term effects of pesticide exposure on
people?
Other Health Effects
Some people are allergic to certain
pesticides. They may get a severe
skin rash when the pesticide touches their
skin. Or they may sneeze and have a runny
nose and itchy eyes when they are near the
pesticide. If a pesticide affects you this
way, try wearing some extra protection
(gloves, a respirator, etc.). If these
symptoms continue, you may have to stay
away from that particular pesticide.
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18
Other Health Effects
Allergic reactions may not occur on your
first or second exposure to a particular
pesticide. However, your body may
become sensitized to that pesticide, and if
you are exposed to that pesticide again, you
may experience an allergic reaction.
Some harmful effects from pesticides do
not show up for a long time. Studies on
laboratory animals show that some
pesticides may cause cancer, permanent
harm to body systems, miscarriages, or
birth defects.
Scientists cannot always know about the
long-term effects of pesticides on human
beings, so don't take any chances. When
you handle pesticides, or when you work in
areas where pesticides have been applied,
do everything you can to keep them from
getting on or in your body.
Suggested Review and Discussion
1, What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to pesticides?
2. What are possible long-term effects of pesticide contamination as shown in studies
of animals?
3. How can you protect yourself from long-term effects of pesticides?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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19
UNITS
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to —
4 Explain the purpose of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
+ State what the law requires you to
do with PPE.
* Name seven types of PPE.
4 Tell what to do before putting
on PPE.
a Explain what to do if PPE is
damaged or worn.
a Identify the kinds of protective
clothing often required in addition
to PPE.
* Give nine rules for wearing PPE
correctly.
Opening Questions
What kind of PPE do you usually wear?
How do you take care of your PPE?
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20
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
helps to keep pesticides from getting
on or in your body. Your employer must
provide you with all the PPE listed on the
pesticide label for the job that you will be
doing. You are required by law to wear it
and use it correctly. PPE may include—
*• Gloves.
4 Boots or shoe covers.
* Coveralls.
+ Hoods or wide-brimmed hats.
* Aprons.
* Protective eyewear: goggles,
faceshields, or safety glasses with
side and brow guards.
+ Respirators. You should use
different types of respirators for
different pesticide formulations.
See page 26 for details.
In addition, many pesticide labels
require the use of protective clothing,
which may be long-sleeved shirts
and long pants with shoes
and socks.
PPE can be made from many different
materials. If the pesticide label does not
specify which material to use, choose PPE
that is chemical resistant. Chemical-
resistant PPE can be made out of barrier
laminate, PVC, or rubber (nitrile, butyl,
natural rubber, or neoprene). These
materials are also waterproof. They are
good choices for gloves, footwear,
aprons, and hats.
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21
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Do not wear cotton gloves when you are
handling pesticides unless the pesticide
label specifically says to use them. Never
use leather gloves when handling pesticides
because leather absorbs pesticides and
cannot be washed clean.
PPE must be clean and ready to use.
Before and during use, look for tears, holes,
or other defects or signs of excessive wear,
such as differences in color. If you find a
problem with a piece of equipment, ask
your employer to replace it.
Here are nine easy rules for wearing
PPE correctly:
+ Keep your pant legs over the top of
your boots so pesticide won't run down
into your boots.
* Wear chemical-resistant gloves that
reach at least halfway to your elbow.
* If you are applying pesticides on the
ground, wear your sleeves over the
outside of your gloves so that pesticides
will not run down into the gloves.
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22
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
If you are spraying above your
shoulder, wear your sleeves inside your
gloves. Also, choose gloves with cuffs.
If you are spraying
both above and
below your shoulder,
you can use duct tape to
attach the tops of your
gloves to your sleeves so
that pesticides cannot run
into your gloves or into
your sleeves.
Wear loose-fitting
clothes for comfort and
protection. Also wear a
coverall over your regular
work clothes to give your
body good protection
against most pesticides.
Use a chemical-resistant apron to
keep splashes and spills from
soaking your coverall while you are
mixing and loading pesticides or
cleaning equipment.
4 Button your collar at the neck to
keep pesticides from getting inside
your clothes.
+ If your hood is separate from your
coverall, keep the hood's bottom
edges outside the coverall to protect
yourself from pesticide runoff.
While you are working, pay attention to
your PPE. If your gloves, apron, or
boots get holes in them, stop work right
away and replace them. If the pesticides
get through the damaged equipment to
your skin, wash first, then put on
clean equipment.
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23
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What is the purpose of PPE?
2. How will you know what PPE to wear?
3. What does the law require you to do with PPE?
4. What kinds of PPE do handlers wear?
5. What kinds of protective clothing may also be required?
6. What should you do before putting on PPE and also while you are working?
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24
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
7. What should you do if you see that the PPE is damaged or torn?
8. What are nine rules for wearing PPE?
9. What should you do if pesticides get through your PPE onto your work clothing?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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25
UNIT 6
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Identify the different types of
respirators.
4 Explain how a respirator should fit
and what to do if you have a beard.
4 Give the general rule for replacing
filters, cartridges, and canisters if
there are no manufacturer's
instructions.
4 List the specific guidelines for when
it is necessary to replace filters,
cartridges, and canisters on
respirators that—
a Filter out dusts and mists.
a Remove vapors and gases.
Opening Questions
Do you use respirators at work? If so,
which types do you use?
How many different types of respirators
are used at your workplace?
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26
Respirators
Respirators protect you from breathing
pesticide-contaminated air. You
should use different types of respirators for
different pesticide formulations.
The product label will say whether you
must use a respirator and, if so, what kind
of filter, cartridge, or canister to use. When
a respirator is required, the product label
will also give the MSHA/NIOSH approval
code prefix for the respirator. MSHA
stands for the Mine Safety and Health
Administration, and NIOSH for National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health. These Federal agencies evaluate
and approve respkators.
Before you put on a respirator, double-
check to make sure that the MSHA/NIOSH
approval number on the respirator matches
the number given on the product label.
The illustrations on these pages show
different types of respirators. Styles
include—
4 Dust/mist filtering respirators.
4 Chemical cartridge respirators.
* Canister respirators.
* Supplied-air respirators.
4 The self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA).
Dust/mist filtering respirators offer
protection from small particles in the air.
They cover the nose and mouth to filter out
dusts, mists, powders, and particles. These
respirators have MSHA/NIOSH approval
number prefix TC-21C.
Example of a dust/mist filtering respirator, an
MSHA/NIOSH TC-21C type respirator.
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27
Respirators
Chemical cartridge respirators use
cartridges that contain chemicals to remove
dusts and mists and to absorb harmful
vapors or gases. Chemical cartridge
respirators for use with pesticides have
MSHA/NIOSH approval number prefix
TC-23C. This type of respirator can have
either a half-face mask or a full-face mask.
Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs)
may reduce respiratory stress and
heat stress.
Example of a full-face cartridge respirator,
an MSHA/NIOSH TC-23C type respirator.
Example of a half-face chemical cartridge
respirator, an MSHA/NIOSH TC-23C type
respirator.
Example of a powered air-purifying respirator
(PAPR).
-------
28
Respirators
Canister respirators for use with
pesticides have MSHA/NIOSH approval
number prefix TC-14G. The canisters
contain materials to remove dusts and mists
and to absorb harmful vapors or gases.
These respirators are designed to remove
specific contaminants from the air. The
lifespan of canister respirators is short,
usually from 12 to 60 minutes, depending
on size.
The self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) uses an oxygen tank and provides
complete respiratory protection against
toxic gases and oxygen deficiency. The
MSHA/NIOSH approval number prefix
fortheSCBAisTC-13F.
Example of a canister respirator or "gas mask," an
MSHA/NIOSH TC-14C type respirator.
Supplied-air respirators use long hoses to
supply air to a full-face mask. Some (but
not all) supplied-air respirators have a
blower or compressor. The MSHA/NIOSH
approval number prefix for this type of
respirator is TC-19C.
Example of a self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA), an MSHA/NIOSH TC-13F type respirator.
-------
29
Respirators
If you have to wear a respirator, have
someone show you how to use it first.
To work correctly, most respirators must fit
your face tightly around the edges. Every
time you put a respirator on, check to be
sure it forms a complete seal around your
face so that air cannot leak in or out at the
edges of the respirator.
Most respirator styles won't protect you if
you have a beard or other facial hair that
loosens the seal. If you have facial hair,
you can protect yourself only by using
hood or helmet-style respirators that are
specially designed to supply you with fresh
air, for example, a powered air-purifying
respirator.
If you are wearing a respirator that filters
out dusts and mists, change the filter or
respirator when you find it hard to breathe
through the respirator, or if your filter gets
torn or damaged or very wet.
If you are wearing a respirator that
removes vapors and gases, change the
cartridge or canister immediately if you
taste or smell pesticide, or you feel the
pesticide burning or stinging your nose
or throat.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions on
when to replace filters, cartridges, and
canisters even if you don't notice a
problem. If there are no instructions, then
filters, cartridges, and canisters should
be replaced at the end of each day's
work period.
Your employer should help you determine
how often these parts need to be changed
and should provide replacement parts
for you.
-------
30
Respirators
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Name the different types of respirators.
2. How must a respirator fit to be effective?
3. If you have a beard or other facial hair, what problem can occur when fitting the
respirator? How can you solve the problem?
4. What general rule should you follow about replacing filters, cartridges, and
canisters?
5. When should you change the filter on a respirator that protects you from mists
and dusts?
6. When should you change the cartridge or canister in a respirator that removes
vapors and gases?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
-------
31
UNIT 7
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
* Name four possible symptoms of
heat illness that are similar to
symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
4 List four ways to cool down a person
with severe heat illness.
+ Tell how heat illness can cause a
person to act.
+ Suggest four ways to control
heat stress.
Opening Questions
Do you ever get very hot when wearing
PPE? What do you do to cool off?
Heat Stress
If the weather is warm or hot and you are
wearing PPE, be aware of heat stress.
You can get very sick if your body gets
too hot.
Many symptoms of heat illness are like the
symptoms of pesticide poisoning. You may
feel tired and weak, have a headache, feel
sick to your stomach, and get dizzy. If
you are not sure what is making you ill,
get help right away. Get out of the
direct sunlight and away from pesticides
if possible.
-------
32
Heat Stress
Look for signs of heat illness in your co-
workers—they may not realize something
is wrong. Severe heat illness can cause a
person to act confused, get angry easily, or
behave strangely. Without prompt first aid,
the person could die.
If you suspect that someone has severe heat
illness, it is very important to cool the
person down as quickly as possible and
then get the person to the doctor right
away. To cool a person down, take off their
outer clothing, pour water on them, fan
them vigorously, and wrap them loosely in
wet cloths or towels. Keep pouring water
on and fanning the person while taking the
person to the doctor.
If the weather suddenly becomes much
hotter, if you are new to the job, or if you
are returning to work after being sick, you
may need to adjust gradually to working in
the heat.
Avoid getting too much heat stress in the
first place. On warm and hot days, drink
lots of water before, during, and after work.
Drink at least a cup of water every half
hour—more if you are sweating a lot.
On hot days, try to do jobs that require PPE
in the early morning or early evening when
it is not quite so hot. Take rest breaks, in
the shade if possible, to help cool your
body down.
-------
33
Heat Stress
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Name four possible symptoms of heat illness that are also symptoms of
pesticide poisoning.
2. What is the worst possible effect of heat illness?
3. Name some ways that heat illness can cause a person to act.
4. What are the steps to take to cool down someone with severe heat illness?
5. How can you control heat stress?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
-------
34
UNITS
Objectives
After this section,.you should be
able to—
4 Name two important sources of
information about pesticides.
4 Explain the meaning of the signal
words Caution, Warning, and
Danger.
4 Tell the meaning of the skull and
crossbones symbol.
+ Name the major sections of the
pesticide label and tell what kinds of
information are in each section.
Opening Questions
How often do you read pesticide labels?
Why do you read them?
Have you ever had difficulty finding
information on a pesticide label? What
were you looking for? How did you
finally get the information?
Are some pesticide labels harder to
understand than others? Why?
Pesticide Labels
Tiere are two important places to get
.nformation about the pesticides you
will be handling—from the pesticide label
and from your employer.
Your employer must make sure you have
all the information you need from the
pesticide label. Even so, it is a good idea
to study the label yourself.
The pesticide label has a number of major
sections that you should be familiar with.
-------
35
Pesticide Labels
Brand Name, Ingredients,
and Type of Pesticide
Look on the front of the label for the brand
name of the pesticide. It is usually in large
bold print. Directly below the brand
name is the list of chemicals or active
ingredients, the percentage of each active
ingredient, and the inert ingredients. Active
Ingredients is the term for the ingredients
that kill or control the pest. Inert
Ingredients don't work against the pest;
they usually improve the product by
making it spray out easily, stay on the
plant, etc.
Sample Label
Pesticide products with very similar brand
names may contain different active
ingredients or different percentages of the
active ingredients. It is important to read
the label of a new product thoroughly even
if the brand name is familiar to you.
Also on the front of the label is the type of
pesticide—insecticide, herbicide,
fungicide, or other kind of control agent.
The EPA registration number for the
product is on the front of the label as well.
Brand name ^
-».
intage of __
active — ""
ntt^nt
(Jldll
The EPA
registration
PRECAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
(& DOMESTIC ANIMALS)
Urcin ipwia *>l!uipat. UtwblcmmnJininlai.
^^^^^^
FBIV i tnul Fn iteAVMhp^^ntjnt
OTLnU^tbixll^ "•rfSm mm Stlii* ' ' ^ VIP DEPESTO I/M
bcnttierit to vulpuau wKi »K anlotic _
consequji, vet Ilium Joloieeu feudal nuila. OrjptnophiKplMte Insecticide
Appliratnrsuod other handlers ^^^*
maitTrenr: Mr rdl drta.it nngae dull ACVtVK INfiKUIHKNTS:
dolwc ic fcupih mjlta faciliiL Luiaafteom galaaothlon (0,0-dielhyl metbyl
^ffH^^^f^^^^ INKKI' INORKIflhN'l'S: 7S.O%
^^nKtniHnrf Iimden murt wain TOTAL 100.11%
er^H.]'ill[«I.TH^Uimim^J^nti|lVMTa[ii. C«nttlffli*ytaKJUn3IIKHtCS«IvCtlW.
«]ui> nofliu J CUCKI utioa Bllaaicojpsr tuiapit
li>Ninix nisi nl-jJiijuip ex cnaimmiiln.
User Jtafirly Ka-immcntlHtliiax:
I'eujiat nuila facili *U at veto «« et aeeumian
ctlutlupdii'disniisiinqni bliindLlprJcsciH
tujiUIum -//tit delenit aujucduis ciitiire Ic
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
aTttimuii eratvoliujM. Ut wbiciiim »d mlalm
^££±^^L?1^±3?
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS
) Ate mole.stj'e comwuwt v#l ilium dolore uu
tcuiiatmjlbifjcUjsa.M-vcroaBscisMumion
1opci!uii) 7'iil d*l« lit dugtM duift Jolotw.
STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
PROHIBITIONS: Iflrem ][».um tkiloi ill
iuiict. coaii^Mctuct atfinijcing clii, ud dLun
nonummy ntWi cuisrand UnciJuolul botccL
quit uovnjci oerct uiloii miuncojpcr iuiaplc
DMuquL
CONTAINER DICPOfiAL: Hulx nuium wl
cum irixac dobrln bcndrtrii in vul[xiiaio nilii
c..enx>!e«1io toniojuK, id ilium dul™
3sr^"ss,aiw~wm-w
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
TMNttHR H*7H POISON
LiK molatii wmaiunt. \d ilium doloiu cu
iiulo uJn.dipir.nm qut MonlitpTBBcnl kjpl
fliumnrtldclcnlmuiu.
STATEMENT OF PRACTICAL TREATMENT
A^plhune clit. ic.1 I&IBI flunumjay ubb
olltjunoi crat viijulpol. 1)1 vriai enrnioilminim
viuuun, f|Uis noitrud i^cid taaoo uUmacoi^cf
suscipiLloKitlJs dilul 8liqljlpcxcs«jmmotk)
uminjual, TJuliiuloo \-c! cum inuiedubrhi
NOTE TO PHYSICIAN
adi piling elii, «J dlani nonunmiy nibh euisnuiJ
tineiJuut ui lipicct tVJotc mat na uliquajn CIM
iwMnid «»roi tcrion ullonwoipH tujolpit
lobortis niat ui aliquip ex ca CTj-jutwJo tcoiKquat-
Vll'(^i(n«Ciil Company
2527 SMiUiVJ? Drive
nianhpcnd.MI22.H5
K«t<^nKntt: 5.isn1Ioni
HTA Rt^iitt.lkm N'n. 11145-1O
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Mliptscinj! ctil, tciltliiim nonnmmy nihh
minim vcniom, qun nnxlniif cictcl lilinn.
AGRICULTURAL USE
REQUIREMENTS
^^^l^tS^"!
cum inutcdalw in hcndrcnl in Tulpulnic
vdii cue mcfctiiis couctiuat, va uium
dolwc cu Icu^il nuUa rm.llhi.-' >t vat.
eroi « Kxurroan tt mrto tfljniiLsim
^MV^^II^^nivlcfcuiMt millu rtciliti.
D.»«a«r».»»»*,™,!S'
Uvoted IIR« during Utc restricted
cutr? liiltrval IKED cf-18 lioun. llic
RR1 K 72 hcun in ouldoor ucas u-hne
awnf * annual Minfili ii lest than 25
ire rcqalKd IM ctutv cutiy to ticucd
areas that it pcnnillnl under Ihr Wirkrr
1'coidction Niandurd and involvK cnnud
w!Ui MijthiDj HUE bu been (tasted, ucb
-lorcm Ipinm dslor *I t nnw«
-ualdlantnunununynlhlinilviHHl
"isoiJuntutTaor&stdokiramafni
•-akqwiu «*t TOjmwL
A udipixlns dit. atU illim nommr eibh
culiimiU tmcidunl ul Ikurnl doltire ttiiAgn*
alfuucflxlrolutpit Utwincnimad
minim vcnluu. yuL. noslrud cwrti utioa
nJ^ltaq^Mnll^SMlw
alionlpl«e:i*«)^^crfo«injtfio I'DUII
auicmvtftummurediilorinbcnJtcru. A
Jip,«;:n£1Hil.«ddj>m nummy mhh
«l«nciHt wluipai. ULu.-i
-------
36
Pesticide Labels
Signal Words and Symbols
The signal words—Caution, Warning, or
Danger—tell you how likely the pesticide
is to make you sick. Be sure to look at the
signal word, which is in large type on every
pesticide label.
The word Caution is used for pesticides
that are the least poisonous. These
pesticides can still harm you if you are
not careful.
A pesticide with the word Warning is more
poisonous or irritating than those with a
Caution label. It doesn't take much of this
pesticide to make you sick or to irritate
your skin or eyes.
The word Danger means that the pesticide
is very poisonous or irritating. Even a
small amount (often less than a teaspoon)
can cause serious harm. The labels of the
products that can severely burn your
skin and eyes carry the signal word
Danger alone.
Along with the signal word Danger, other
labels have a skull and crossbones and the
word Poison printed in red ink. These
pesticides are highly poisonous. They can
make you very sick—or even kill you—if
you are not careful. While you are
handling these pesticides, your employer
must have someone check on you every
2 hours to be sure that you are all right.
Statement of Practical
Treatment and
Precautionary Statements
Under the Statement of Practical
Treatment, read what you should do if you
swallow or inhale the pesticide, or get it on
your skin or in your eyes. This is the first
aid section.
On some labels a Note to Physician gives
information on symptoms and treatment of
poisoning. If you need medical treatment,
it is important to bring a copy of the
pesticide label with you so the doctor can
treat you properly.
An emergency phone number to call in
case of spills and exposure accidents is
also listed.
-------
37
Pesticide Labels
Look under the Precautionary Statements to
determine which parts of your body need
special protection. Some labels tell you
that the pesticide will burn your eyes or skin
if it gets on them. Other labels tell you not
to breathe the pesticide or not to get it on
your skin.
Along with these warnings, the label must
tell you if you need to wear PPE when you
handle the pesticide.
The parts of
your body
that need
special
protection
Handler
PPE
Information
about protecting
the environment
Sample Label
Under the Environmental Hazards section,
you can find out whether you must take
extra care to protect certain wildlife or to
keep the pesticide out of groundwater.
PRECAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
(& DOMESTIC ANIMALS)
DANGER:
I A item ip*um dolor nil anicl, consecleluer
(io!ipucin£ clit, jcd diftiu oominiuy nibh
uhfjuum cral volutpul, Ut wtsi cnim ad ininim
Personal Protective Equipment
conscfiuat, vd ilium dolorc«ifcufiistmiUa.
Apnllcatitt-saiHl other handlers
must wear: MzzrlldulenHougucduis
dolor sitaruct, consixtetueradipiseing die. s«j
tjuis noMrud exerci lullon ullumcorrwr Kuscfpil
liibonii nisi ut aliqulp ex ea commodo.
User Safely Kecummemtiiliunv:
FcujsiLttnuIh luciliiis ;U very cros ci uccumsan
ct Junto odio dignissim qui blundil praesent
luptatvtH zzril delenit auj>ue duis doloie te
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Loicm Ipsum dofor sit umci, ciinscaclucr a
itlKjimm cral volutrwt. Ul wist cnim ad minim
vciiiam, quii nostind cxc-i\i lation ullamcorpcr
Kuscipil lobortis nisi ut ulitjuip ex cu cosunod.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Essc molc!,lic fonwtiuui, vcl ilium dolorc cu
feuslat nulhi fticilinis at veto eros cl aetiummm
luptaium zzril dcknit aujuc duis dolorc.
STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
PROHIBITIONS: Lorcmipsumdelortit
tunct, tr>imciJli.'Uji.T udtptKcing clit, xcd (lium
iiuiiuniniy nibli euixmod lintfdunL ul laurel.
STORAGE: UtMsicnimadminjiuvcniajii,
ijiii.i miKlriHl OILTI;! liilion uUjimcurpcr .iiisciplt
' coiicequu.
CONTAINER DISPOSAL: IJuls autemvel
uuni iriure dulurin Itethlreril in vulpuluie vtli(
«sc nwlestic conscquai, vcl Ulum dolorc
cuciiiSTniid tinddunl ut Iwirccl duluru magna
RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
Dan w very bigli toxicjiy
to dumsns and birdK.
I'ot reiai] sale to and use only by certified
applicators or persons uiidcr their direct
Mipcrvbiiin und only f(»r (hiwe uses ix-vcrcd by
tl>6 unified appliwiirtrA ^ertiflwitioii.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Lorem ipj-tiin dolor sit iunet. conseck-luer
(kJipiscing ellt. ,«d diom twnunimy nibli
iJiyuam eral volulput. tJlwiMenim ud
minim wnlfmi, quis nostrud aswcl utian.
m ».-. H»— — — . ___ ,
VIP DEPESTO I/M
Organuphosphate Insecticide
ACriVK IN<;KrC01HN IS:
Kulaciotlikm (0,0-diwIiyl inahyl
pliosphorolliioulc) "203%
related Lsomerx 1.1%
INERT INCiREDIENTS: 78.0%
. ,
oin« xyfcne aronMiii: xilvtiils.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDRE
REJ^
FKI.K;HO
Rsw mitlcMlc constaiuiil, vcl Ilium dolnn
feuyiai ntillu facilisis ai veni emu eC u
iusto odiodifinissim qui blandii praowat lupt
Hitim x/rll flclcniinullu.
STATEMENT OF PRACTICAL TREATME
nuwnud L-iwidunl ul laon»l dolon
aliquam cwt voluipat. Lltmsiccim ad minim
vcniiun.t]uiRi«ihlTiii1 cxcrci tiition tilliimcorpcr
KUA:ipil IdhorLiw uiitl ul ulujuip ^ taconiniodti
1-800-1Z3-4567.
NOTE TO PHYSICIAN
Loixm ipsuui dolor sit tuuct, conicctcJwx
adipiscin!icUl.!w;ddi:imn(3nunimynit>hcuisinod
iincidunt ul luorral dolor* magna aliquam w
nosirud cxcrd unlLmuUnmcorpcr suscipll
lobortis niKl ul aliquip ex ea trommttdw cwnsequal.
VIP Chcmitul Company
2527 Soulh VIP Drive
NotConionis: SSgidlons
bTA Registration No. 12S45-10
EPAEsUiblinhnwnt No. 5678 CO 3
AGRICULTURAL USE
REQUIREMENTS
Suscipn Inhorlix nix) ul sliiiuip ex 01
wmmihlii uniNcquui. Duis nuiwii vel
cum iiiuru dolor in hcndrciit in vulpuuw
dtilurr: cu fcugioil nullu ratilisi-1* ill vent
cros ct nccumsan ct iusio odio digiu&uii
i|ut hlaniltl pracscnl lnpLflbim-x rril ddcnit
auguddnit! diilons (e ftugyii nulla Tuuiliui.
Do not entiit or allow w
Irvultd urciiK during Ih
vntry inlcrvul (REI)«r48h
Rlil id 72 hours in outdoor ni
average anuualrainfalt is lc
inches a year.
Ited under th* Woiter
and Involves contact
has been trailed, such
,soil,orw(itor,is:
dolor sil umct
ips
-•icd diaoi nonunmiy uibh cuismod
inciiiunl ul liiorccl dolorc magnu
-ultquum «a[ volulpul.
ci lulion
ignn
L-nilvolmrEil. Ikwisi cnim jul
veniuni, quiii ixistruJ ex«vi lution
ullamcorpcr suiinpiilobor&t niil ut
ali(]»ip
-------
38
Pesticide Labels
Directions for Use and
Agricultural Use
Requirements
The Directions for Use section lists
information on storage, disposal, mixing,
loading, application, and Agricultural
Use Requirements.
The Agricultural Use Requirements section
states that this pesticide must be used only
in accordance with its labeling and with the
Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR
Part 170. This standard contains
requirements for the protection of
agricultural workers and handlers of
agricultural pesticides on farms, forests,
nurseries, and greenhouses. It contains
requirements for training, decontamination,
notification, and emergency assistance. It
also contains specific instructions and
exceptions pertaining to the statements on
this label about PPE, notification of
workers, and restricted-entry intervals.
All pesticides have a restricted-entry
interval (REI). The REI is the time
immediately after a pesticide application
when entry into the treated area is limited.
This interval can be from 12 hours to
3 days. The REI is listed on the pesticide
label under Agricultural Use or next to
the crop or application method to which
it applies.
With certain strict exceptions, only early-
entry workers and pesticide handlers who
are properly trained and wearing
appropriate PPE may enter the treated area
during an REI.
-------
39
Pesticide Labels
Name and Address of
Manufacturer
You can obtain further information about
the pesticide that you are using from the
manufacturer of the pesticide. The name
and address of the manufacturer is listed on
the pesticide label.
Information
about the
manufacturer
Sample Label
Information on
storage,
disposal,
mixing, loading,
and application
PRECAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
(& DOMESTIC ANIMALS)
DANGER;
I-orem ipxum dolor nil anieUcunseclcfticr
ndipucins «liT. *cj diniti nouuuuuy niblt
RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
Duo to very bigii toxicit>-
(o humans and birds.
I ''or retail sale to and use only by certified
applicators or persons under their direct
supervision and wnly for (hi«c uses ouvned by
tha c«rr}t)«d appliWittr** Mrtinentirtn.
culsmod line! £ tntion uUamwrpct
sui^ipit lobords nisi UL aliqulp ex ca cornmod.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Essc mobstic conscqutii, vcl ilium dolorc cu
Teuglnl nullii fatiJisis al *eto eixw el attruniKun
ctitisto odio disnisilm fi«i bLindit pracscnt
lupwiom zzril dclcnit auguc duis dolore.
STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
SittHIBlTIONS: Lorcm ip«umdckr *it
tionunini^^^uisnnxl linuidunl ul liiiirccl.
STORAGE: Utwisife^jdauruiiivcaiani,
lobuiiiri nixt ul utiquip ax. ea coiitnrS^^
conwquai. ^^
CONTAINER DISPOSAL: 1>uisautemv*l ^
euni iriui'ti dulur in lieudrerit in vulpuUiie velil
cctc tuolcttte cortEcquat, vcl ilium dolotc
aliquum emt vului[Kit.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
IUNCKK H»«!3 t'OIKON
FKI.K;KO Bs3
feugial nulla facilms al vent ems el acoirnsurj e(
iusto oJio dijtnissimh cubmod
lincldunt til JaoTtwt do fore magna uliquum eral
nosirud cxcrcl uulun uUtuncurpcr susclplt
VlPChcmkalCompany
^^ 2527 South VIP T^ive
NclConicnu: SSgalkinu
Ul'ARcfiistratiunNo. 12345-10
EPAEslnblishmcnlNo.SSTS CO 3
DIRECTIONS FOR USE - ^
^^r
I.orem Insum dolor sil amtl. toiwe^Ker
adipwcingellt.seddbm ntmomy/rmhh
cuisjuod uiiciduiit tit Itiorcci dolor magnn
aliquuner«lvx>Iutpu(. Ul wisienim ud
minim vetilini. quiA nosirud «erc) tntlon.
AGRICULTURAL USE
REQUIREMENTS
. , .
ctmmuidu winnetjiKit, Duin uulein vcl
cum iiiurc dolor in hcodrctit in vulpuiaw
diilorc cu Icugtal tiulla rucili^M al veru
cros ct accuttisan ct iutio odio dignifsiin
uujiud tltiih' doltiEV (e leuguil nullu fuuilm. .
^f
Do oot enter or allow worker entry latn
Imilud iiruttK during Iht; rvslrklud
cotrj- InturvMl (V.F.I) of 4S Iimint. The
KU I* 72 hours vn outdooi- areas wboii;
avenge annual roinfnll is less than 25
inches a >ear.
PPP. required for early cnlry la Ireulcd
areas tliat b- pcnultted under tu* Woiter
Protection Standard and involves coniucl
with anything that mix been ireuted. sueh
ni plcmtj, toil, or wfttcr, is:
— conuutlelUBT udipiwmg ulil
—icd diam nonummy nibb cuiamod
Inclcluat ul luorcct duloie mugnii .
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40
Pesticide Labels
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What information is printed below the brand name of the pesticide?
2. What do the signal words, Caution, Warning, and Danger mean? What does the
word Poison together with the skull and crossbones symbol mean?
3. What kind of information can you find in the Statement of Practical Treatment?
4. What can you find in the Precautionary Statements section?
5. What kind of information is in the Note to Physician?
6. What is in the Environmental Hazards section?
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41
Pesticide Labels
7. What can you find in the Directions for Use section?
8. What is in the Agricultural Use Requirements section that is especially important
to you?
9. What is an REI, and why is it important?
10. If you need information from the pesticide manufacturer, what help does the label
provide?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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42
UNIT 9
Objective
After this section, you should be
able to state the safety rules to observe
when transporting pesticides in a car
or truck.
Opening Questions
Do you ever transport pesticides? How?
How often? Where?
Transporting Pesticides
f you move pesticides from place to
place in a car or truck—
* Before you leave, ask your employer
what to do if you have a spih1. Carry
spill cleanup materials with you. (See
Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills, p. 50)
+ Make sure the pesticides are in the
back of the truck or in the trunk of the
car—not inside with you.
Do not allow people, pets, or livestock
to ride in the same compartment with
the pesticides. Don't put food, feed, or
clothes near the pesticides.
Tie the pesticide containers down or
secure them in other ways to make
sure that they do not fall over or
roll around.
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43
Transporting Pesticides
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What are important safety rules to remember when you carry pesticides in a
car or truck?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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44
UNIT 10
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Name at least three important safety
rules to follow when storing
pesticides.
*• Say why the storage area should
be locked.
Opening Questions
Where are the storage areas at your
workplace?
Do you ever work there? If so, what do
you do?
Storing Pesticides
I
f you work in a storage area for
| pesticides or pesticide containers—
Make sure the containers are closed
tightly and are stored upright, so they
cannot tip over and spill.
Check all containers for leaks, breaks,
or weak spots. Tell your boss right
away if you see a problem.
Clean up spills and leaks right away.
(See Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills,
p. 50.)
Lock the storage area to make sure
that people and animals cannot get into
the storage area when no one is
working there.
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45
Storing Pesticides
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. If you work in a storage area for pesticides, what safety rules do you need
to observe?
2. Why should the storage area be locked?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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46
UNIT 11
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
* Say why it is especially important to
observe safety rules when mixing
and loading pesticides.
4 State the key safety practices that
relate to using PPE, opening
containers, pouring pesticides,
mixing pesticides, and protecting
water resources.
Opening Questions
How often do you mix pesticides or
load pesticides into application
equipment?
Why is this job dangerous?
Mixing and Loading Pesticides
YDU may sometimes have to mix and
load pesticides—a job that requires
special care. Because pesticides that have
not yet been mixed are often in a
concentrated (stronger) form, they can be
especially dangerous to you.
When mixing and loading, follow the label
directions and these safety practices:
* Give yourself extra protection. Wear
chemical-resistant gloves and an apron
over your other PPE. You probably
need to wear protective eyewear, too.
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47
Mixing and Loading Pesticides
* Read the label directions to find out
how much pesticide you need, and then
measure it carefully. Using too much
or too little can cause problems for the
applicator, the crop, and the
environment.
* Use the label information to determine
how much pesticide you will need
based on (1) the area that you will be
treating, such as a 10-acre field or a
greenhouse, and (2) the size of the
application equipment that you will be
using, such as a 100-gallon or
250-gallon spray tank.
4 Put the pesticide container on a flat
surface and open it carefully. Use a
sharp knife or scissors to open paper
and cardboard containers. If you rip
them open, dust can fly out and get on
your skin and into your eyes, mouth,
and lungs—and the pesticide will not
pour as evenly. Label the knife or
scissors For Pesticide Use Only. Wash
the knife or scissors with soap and hot
water before using them again.
4 Pour carefully to avoid splashes. Be
sure your face and eyes are well above
the container while you are pouring.
Get someone to help you pour if the
container is too big or too heavy for
you to lift easily.
When you add water to the mix tank or
the spray tank, don't let the pesticide
mix run backwards through the hose
and into the water source. Keep the
hose above the level of the liquid in
the tank, or use special equipment (a
check valve) to prevent backflow.
Never mix, load, or clean equipment
near ponds, streams, wells, or ditches
because rinsewater containing
pesticide could overflow and run off
into these water sources.
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48
Mixing and Loading Pesticides
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Why is it especially important to observe safety rules when mixing and
loading pesticides?
2. What are the safe procedures to follow when opening pesticide containers?
3. What can you do to avoid splashes when pouring?
4. What kinds of PPE should you wear wheh mixing and loading pesticides?
5. Why do you need to follow the label directions when measuring?
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49
Mixing and Loading Pesticides
6. Why is it important to keep the hose above the level of the liquid in the tank?
7. Why should you avoid mixing, loading, or cleaning equipment near ponds,
streams, wells, or ditches?
Responses to discussion questions appear.on pages 70-83.
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50
UNIT 12
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 List the basic safety principles to
follow if a pesticide spill occurs.
4 Name the three "Cs" of spill
management and explain the actions
to take under each category.
Opening Questions
Have you ever had to clean up a spill?
What kind was it? What did you do?
Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills
Pesticide spills can occur during any
handler task. Here are steps you
should take if a spill occurs:
+ Think first of protecting yourself, other
people nearby, and the surrounding
area—especially water sources.
+ Never try to clean up a spill unless you
have the right PPE and cleanup
materials.
If you don't know what to do, call for
help and wait until it arrives.
If it is a big spill, send someone for
help if you can. Don't leave if no one
else is there—someone must be there
to warn others of the danger.
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51
Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills
Practice the three Cs of spill
management:
Control the spill—make sure that the spill
is stopped:
* Shut off the mixing or application
equipment if it is leaking.
4 Turn the container upright if it has
fallen.
4 If the container is broken or leaking,
put it inside another container,
Contain the spill—stop the spill from
spreading:
* Use a mound of dirt or other material
to make a dike around the edge of the
spill.
+ Rope off the area so that other people
cannot walk through it.
Clean up the spill:
* Do not use water. It will spread the
spill and make it worse.
* Soak up liquid spills with special spill
sponges or with soil, sawdust, clay, cat
litter, or other absorbent materials.
* If the pesticide or absorbent material
is likely to blow around, moisten it
very slightly with water or cover it
with a tarp.
4 Sweep the spill and cleanup materials
into plastic containers or special
drums. Then ask your employer what
to do with the waste.
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52
Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What are the basic safety principles to follow when dealing with a pesticide spill?
2. What are the three Cs of spill management?
3. Name three actions to take to control a spill.
4. How can you stop a spill from spreading?
5. How should you clean up a spill?
6. What should you do if the spilled pesticide or the cleanup material is likely to
blow around?
7. What should you do with the spilled pesticides and contaminated cleanup
materials?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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53
UNIT 13
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Describe the steps involved in
rinsing containers.
4 Explain what to do with containers
that cannot be rinsed.
* State three don'ts for handling empty
pesticide containers.
Opening Questions
Are you responsible for cleaning
containers?
What do you do with the cleaned,
empty containers?
Cleaning Pesticide Containers
Your employer will tell you what to do
with empty pesticide containers.
Many containers should be triple rinsed
immediately after you empty them. Follow
these steps:
+ If you use water to mix the pesticide in
a mixing tank, use clean water to rinse
the empty container as soon as you
have finished mixing.
First, fill the empty container with
clean water until it is 1/4 full.
Put the cap on, or tightly close the
opening. Carefully shake or roll the
container so that the water rinses the
inside completely.
Pour the rinse water from the container
into the mixing tank. Repeat the
rinsing at least two more times.
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54
Cleaning Pesticide Containers
Instead of triple rinsing, you can pressure
rinse pesticide containers by using a
pressure-rinse nozzle. Follow these steps:
*• Insert the nozzle into the side of the
container.
+ Turning the nozzle in all directions,
rinse the inside of the container for at
least half a minute.
* Drain the container as well as you can
into the mix tank.
If a container cannot be rinsed, empty it as
well as you can. Then close it tightly.
Empty containers should be locked away
until they can be disposed of properly.
Even well-rinsed containers may still
contain small amounts of pesticides. Don't
use them for any other purpose, and do not
take them home under any circumstances.
Never leave empty containers lying around
the worksite or anywhere else. Some
pesticide containers can be returned to the
dealer, but they must be properly
cleaned first.
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. How many times should you rinse empty containers?
2. What are the steps for washing empty containers?
3. What should you do if a container cannot be rinsed?
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55
Cleaning Pesticide Containers
4. What should you do with empty containers?
5. Name three things not to do with empty containers.
6. If in doubt about what to do with empty containers, what should you do?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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56
UNIT 14
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
* Explain where to look first for
directions on safe disposal of
leftover pesticides.
«• State who to contact for more
information about disposal.
Opening Questions
Do you know your state's regulations for
disposal of pesticides? How can you
find out about them?
Disposing of Pesticides and
Pesticide Containers
Occasionally, you may have
leftover pesticides that you can
no longer use. Store them carefully in a
locked storage area until they can be
disposed of properly.
Although the label has general directions
for disposal of pesticides and pesticide
containers, disposal requirements vary
from state to state, and even within states.
Your employer should check with local
pesticide enforcement authorities and tell
you what to do.
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57
Disposing of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. Where can you look for directions about what to do with leftover pesticides?
2. Who should know about state requirements for disposal?
3. Is it safe to store leftover pesticides before getting rid of them?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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58
UNIT 15
Objective
After this section, you should be
able to describe the safe practices to
follow when working as a flagger for
aerial pesticide applications.
Opening Questions
Do you work as a flagger? Why can this
job be dangerous?
Flagging
Both the flagger and the pesticide
applicator must be careful during
aerial applications so that pesticides do not
get on the handler. Be careful if you flag
for an aerial application:
4 Wear all the PPE that the label
requires.
4 Make sure no people, pets, or livestock
are in the treatment area or in nearby
areas where the pesticide could drift.
Move out of the way before the
airplane flies overhead so that
pesticides won't get directly on you.
Move upwind so that any wind would
blow the pesticide away from you.
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59
Flagging
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What are safe practices to follow when flagging for aerial application of
pesticides?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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60
UNIT 16
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
+ Describe at least five safe practices
to follow before applying pesticides.
+ Name at least five safe practices to
follow while applying pesticides.
+ Explain what to do after applying
pesticides.
Opening Questions
Do you apply pesticides as a regular
part of your job?
How do you prepare for the task?
What equipment do you usually use?
Applying Pesticides
Ymr job may sometimes require
fou to apply pesticides. Be sure
to protect yourself, others, and the
environment. Make sure you follow
the application instructions on the
pesticide label.
Before you start, put on all the PPE you
need. Wear at least the PPE listed on the
pesticide label. Then carefully check out
the application equipment. Make sure
there are no leaks. If you need to fix the
application equipment, turn it off first to
keep pesticide from getting on you.
Remember to keep your PPE on while you
are fixing the equipment.
Never apply pesticides so they can get
on people—either directly or through
drift. When you are ready to start, check
the area where you will be working. Make
sure no people, pets, or livestock are in or
near the area.
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61
Applying Pesticides
If you will be applying pesticides outdoors,
check the weather conditions before you
start. Don't apply pesticides when there is
a wind blowing that could carry the
pesticide out of the treated area. Even a
light wind can blow pesticides away from
the area where you want to apply them.
Don't apply pesticides when rain is
expected if the pesticide is one that could
be washed off the treated surface.
Look to see if there are ponds, streams, or
wells in or near the area to be treated. Take
the time and care to keep pesticides out of
surface water supplies. Never apply a
pesticide so that it can drift or run Into
water supplies.
Check the Environmental Hazard
Statement on the pesticide label. Take
special care to avoid harming wildlife that
may be in or near the area you plan to treat.
Stay alert while you are applying the
pesticide. Look at the area you have just
treated to be sure you are applying the
pesticide evenly and the coverage
looks right.
Watch for clogged nozzles or hoppers.
Do not use your mouth to blow out the
nozzle. If you need to clean a nozzle, use a
nonmetal nozzle-cleaning tool. Sharp
metal can ruin the nozzle.
When you finish the application, put your
equipment away. Don't leave it in the
treated area, and don't let it sit for a long
time with pesticides on or in it. Your
employer should tell you how to clean it.
Follow his or her instructions and
remember to keep your PPE on until the
application equipment has been put away.
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62
Applying Pesticides
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What are safe practices to follow before applying pesticides to any area?
2. While applying pesticides, what should you be careful about?
3. After applying pesticides, what should you do?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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63
UNIT 17
Objectives
After this section, you should be
able to—
4 Describe safe practices to follow
when removing PPE.
«• Tell what to do with PPE after taking
it off.
4 Explain how to clean PPE if your
boss asks you to do it.
+ List the types of equipment that
cannot be cleaned.
4 Describe what to do for personal
cleanliness whenever you finish a
pesticide handling job and at the
end of the workday.
* Give directions for washing
protective clothing and PPE in a
washing machine.
Opening Questions
Do you usually keep your gloves on
or take them off when you remove
your PPE?
Does your boss ever ask you to
clean PPE?
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64
Cleaning Up
When you finish any pesticide
handling job, take off your PPE.
That way, you and others won't risk
contacting any pesticides that may be on
the PPE. When taking off PPE, be careful
not to get pesticides on your skin or inner
clothing. Here are some safe practices for
removing PPE:
+ Wash the outside of your gloves while
you are still wearing them.
+ If possible, keep your gloves on while
taking off your other PPE.
*• Peel down your coverall and take off
other PPE. If you've already removed
your gloves, touch the outsides of the
PPE as little as possible.
Wash your hands. Wash your face and any
other exposed skin, too. Use lots of soap
and water.
Put all your used PPE in a place by itself
until it can be cleaned or disposed of. You
must not wear home or take home PPE that
has not been cleaned.
If your employer asks you to clean PPE at
work, be sure you know how to do it safely.
Wear gloves. Hand wash the inside and
outside of PPE like gloves, boots, and
respirator facepieces.
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65
Cleaning Up
Use mild soap or mild detergent and very
warm water to wash most PPE. For
coveralls and other machine washable
items, follow the washing procedure on
page 66.
Some types of equipment cannot be
cleaned—they should be thrown away
when they can no longer protect you.
These include respirator filters, cartridges,
and canisters and some kinds of disposable
coveralls, gloves, shoe coverings, and
aprons. Your employer should tell you
when to throw them out. Throw away
coveralls or other work clothes that are
soaked with pesticides because, in this
case, even thorough washing will not
remove all the pesticide.
At the end of your workday, take off your
work clothes, shower, and put on clean
clothes. Put your used work clothes into a
container until they can be washed. Don't
ride home with pesticides on your
clothes—you will contaminate the vehicle.
Don't let other people touch any of your
work clothes that may have pesticides on
them. Even when you wear a coverall over
regular work clothes, the work clothes can
pick up small amounts of pesticides. The
pesticides can rub off onto anyone who
touches the clothes. At home, be sure to
keep your contaminated work clothes out
of reach of children and pets.
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66
Cleaning Up
Washing procedure for work clothes—
* Always keep your work clothes
separate from your family's clothes.
Wash work clothes in a separate load in
the washer.
* Wash only a few items at a tune to
allow plenty of agitation and water for
dilution. Use the highest water-level
setting.
4 Use a heavy-duty detergent and hot
water for the wash cycle.
* Rinse your work clothes twice in warm
water. Using two rinse cycles helps
remove even more pesticide residue.
+ Use two complete machine cycles to
wash items that are moderately to
heavily contaminated.
* If possible, hang your work clothes
outside on a clothesline to dry (for
24 hours). Try not to use a clothes
dryer because pesticide residues may
contaminate the clothes dryer over a
period of time. If you must use a
clothes dryer, use the hottest setting
possible to help break down pesticide
residues.
4 Before doing family laundry, it is a
good idea to clean the machine by
running the washer through at least one
more complete cycle without clothing,
but with detergent and hot water.
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67
Cleaning Up
Suggested Review and Discussion
1. What is the first thing to do after you finish working with pesticides? Why is this
so important?
2. What are safe practices to follow when taking off your PPE?
3. Which parts of your body should you wash immediately after peeling off PPE?
4. What is a safe way to wash PPE by hand?
5. Which PPE should be thrown away after use?
6. At the end of the workday, what should you do to ensure that you have no
pesticides anywhere on you?
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68
Cleaning Up
7. How can you protect your family from pesticide contamination?
8. What is the procedure for machine washing work clothes or coveralls that have
been exposed to pesticides?
9. What is the recommended way of drying work clothes that have been exposed to
pesticides?
10. How should you clean your washing machine after doing your work clothes and
before doing family laundry?
Responses to discussion questions appear on pages 70-83.
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69
Conclusion
Working safely with pesticides is
important. Your safety and the safety of
others around you depends on how careful
you are.
Don't be afraid to ask for the protections
that your employer must provide under the
Worker Protection Standard. You have the
right to—
4 Information about pesticides that you
handle—pesticide labels and safety
data sheets or other fact sheets.
4 Information at a central location:
a A safety poster.
a Information about the pesticides
applied within the last 30 days at
your workplace.
a The name, address, and phone
number of the nearest emergency
medical center.
4 Adequate safety training in a language
that you can understand.
4 The PPE necessary for safe handling of
pesticides. The PPE must be properly
cleaned and maintained.
4 Plenty of soap and water, towels, and a
change of clothing available when you
are working around pesticides.
4 A clean location to remove PPE, wash
yourself, and change into clean
clothing after handling tasks.
4 Transportation from the worksite to a
medical center if there is reason to
believe you are sick or injured because
of pesticides or heat stress.
The law says that your employer may not
punish you in any way for making sure you
get all the protections you are entitled to.
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70
Suggested Discussion
Questions and Responses
Pesticide Exposure
1. Where could pesticide residues be?
On plants, on the soil, in the air, and sometimes in irrigation water.
2. How can pesticides enter your body?
If you swallow them, breathe them, or get them on your skin or in your eyes.
3. How are you as a handler most likely to be exposed to and harmed by
pesticides?
When pesticides spill or splash on your skin.
4. How often should you wash your hands when working with pesticides?
Every time you take a break.
5. Before what activities should you wash your hands after working with
pesticides?
Before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, putting on makeup, or using the
toilet.
6. Name two items not to carry with you (in your pockets) when working with
pesticides.
Tobacco and food.
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71
Suggested Discussion Responses
Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
1. Name the symptoms that may be signs of pesticide poisoning.
You may feel tired and dizzy, have stomach cramps or diarrhea, or vomit. You may have a
headache or blurred vision. You may be sweating too much, have pains in your chest, have
trouble breathing, or even pass out. You may have rashes and burns on your skin or
irritation in your eyes.
2. Name four things you should do if you have signs of pesticide poisoning.
Stop what you are doing. Follow emergency first aid procedures on the pesticide label.
Call your boss if possible or a co-worker for help. Have someone drive you to an
emergency medical center.
3. What are emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) and how can they harm you?
ECs are liquid pesticides that can burn or irritate your eyes and skin.
4. Are pesticides in the form of gases harmful?
Yes. If you breathe them, they can harm your lungs and other systems of the body.
Emergency First Aid
1. Where can you find the name, address, and telephone number of the nearest
emergency medical center?
This information should be posted at work.
2. Where can you find first aid information about a pesticide?
In the emergency first aid section on the product's label.
3. Why should you read the label before working with a pesticide?
So that you are familiar with the first aid procedures before you need to use them.
4. Name four items that employers must supply for pesticide handlers to help
them get pesticides off their skin.
Soap and water, towels, and a clean change of clothing.
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72
Suggested Discussion Responses
5. What should you do if pesticide gets on your clothes or skin?
Take your clothes off right away and wash your skin with lots of soap and water.
6. What should you do if pesticide gets in your eyes?
Rinse them right away with an eyeflush kit or allow a gentle stream of clean water to flow
across them. Keep rinsing them for about 15 minutes.
7. What should you do if you breathe in a pesticide?
Get to fresh air immediately. If you are having difficulty breathing, call for help. Then sit
down and try to breathe normally.
8. What emergency first aid treatment should you give a co-worker who has
breathed in a pesticide?
(1) Wear a respirator to protect yourself, (2) move the victim to fresh air, (3) remove his/her
respirator, (4) loosen his/her clothing, and (5) give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if the
victim is not breathing.
9. What should you do if you swallow a pesticide?
First, check the label on the pesticide to see if you should make yourself vomit. If the
directions say to induce vomiting, put your finger in the back of your throat.
10. When should you not induce vomiting?
If the victim is unconscious or having convulsions, or if the label tells you not to.
11. When should you have someone take you to a doctor?
If you swallow a pesticide, get it in your eyes, spill a lot on your skin, find it hard to
breathe, have burning skin, or if you feel ill and think you may have pesticide poisoning.
12. What will the doctor need to know right away?
The name of the pesticide and how you were exposed.
13, If possible, what should you take with you to the doctor?
A copy of the pesticide label.
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73
Suggested Discussion Responses
Other Health Effects
1. What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to pesticides?
Skin rash, sneezing and runny nose, itchy eyes.
2. What are possible long-term effects of pesticide contamination as shown in
studies of animals?
These studies show that some pesticides may cause (1) cancer^ (2) permanent damage to
one or more of the body's systems, and/or (3) miscarriages or birth defects.
3. How can you protect yourself from long-term effects of pesticides?
Do everything possible to keep pesticides off you.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
1. What is the purpose of PPE?
PPE helps keep pesticides from getting in or on your body.
2. How will you know what PPE to wear?
The label tells you what PPE is required.
3. What does the law require you to do with PPE?
Wear it and use it correctly.
4. What kinds of PPE do handlers wear?
Gloves, boots or shoe covers, coveralls, hoods or hats, aprons, eyewear, and respirators. All
of these should be made of chemical-resistant materials.
5. What kinds of protective clothing may also be required?
Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks.
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74
Suggested Discussion Responses
6. What should you do before putting on PPE and also while you are working?
Check your PPE for holes or damage.
7. What should you do if you see that the PPE is damaged or torn?
Ask your employer to replace it.
8. What are nine rules for wearing PPE?
Keep your pant legs over the top of your boots. Wear chemical-resistant gloves that reach
halfway to your elbow. Wear sleeves over your gloves if you are applying pesticides on
the ground. Wear sleeves inside your gloves if you are spraying above your shoulder or
use duct tape to tape your gloves to your sleeves. Wear only loose-fitting clothes. Wear a
coverall over your regular work clothes. Wear a chemical-resistant apron when mixing,
loading, or cleaning equipment. Keep the button at your collar buttoned up. If your hood.
is separate from the coverall, keep the bottom edges outside the coverall to protect yourself
from runoff.
9. What should you do if pesticides get through your PPE onto your work
clothing?
Take everything off right away, wash yourself, and change into clean PPE.
Respirators
1. Name the different types of respirators.
Dust/mist filtering respirators; half-face or full-face chemical cartridge respirators;
powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs); canister respirators; supplied-air respirators;
and the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
2. How must a respirator fit to be effective?
Tightly.
3. If you have a beard or other facial hair, what problem can occur when fitting
the respirator? How can you solve the problem?
The seal will not be tight enough. Wear a hood or helmet-style respirator especially
designed for people with facial hair.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
4. What genera! rule should you follow about replacing filters, cartridges, and
canisters?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. If there are no instructions, replace the filters,
cartridges, and canisters at the end of each workday.
5. When should you change the filter on a respirator that protects you from mists
and dusts?
If you find it hard to breathe or if the filter gets torn, damaged, or very wet.
6. When should you change the cartridge or canister in a respirator that removes
vapors and gases?
If you taste or smell pesticide or feel it burning or stinging your nose or throat.
Heat Stress
1. Name four possible symptoms of heat illness that are also symptoms of
pesticide poisoning.
Feeling tired and weak, having a headache, feeling sick to your stomach, and being dizzy.
2. What is the worst possible effect of heat illness?
You could die.
3. Name some ways that heat illness can cause a person to act.
They may act confused, get angry easily, or behave strangely.
4. What are the steps to take to cool down someone with severe heat illness?
(1) Get them out of the direct sun and away from pesticides, if possible, (2) take off their
outer clothing, (3) wrap them loosely in wet cloths or towels, (4) pour water on them, and
(5) fan them vigorously.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
5. How can you control heat stress?
Give yourself time to adjust to working in the heat. Take rest breaks. Drink lots of
water throughout the day—at least a cup of water every half hour on hot days. Do work
that requires PPE either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not so
strong.
Pesticide Labels
1. What information is printed below the brand name of the pesticide?
The active ingredients, percentages of active ingredients, inert ingredients, and the type of
pesticide.
2. What do the signal words, Caution, Warning, and Danger mean? What
does the word Poison together with the skull and crossbones symbol mean?
Caution is used for the least poisonous pesticides. Warning is used for pesticides that are
more poisonous or irritating. Danger is used for pesticides that are very poisonous; these
products can severely burn your skin and eyes. The skull and crossbones with the words
Poison and Danger mean that the pesticide can make you very sick or even kill you if you
are not careful.
3. What kind of information can you find in the Statement of Practical Treatment?
What to do if you swallow or inhale the pesticide or get it on your skin or in your eyes.
First aid information.
4. What can you find in the Precautionary Statements section?
Information about which parts of your body need special protection.
5. What kind of information is in the Note to Physician?
Information for the doctor about the symptoms and treatment of poisoning.
6. What is in the Environmental Hazards section?
Information about how to protect wildlife and the environment.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
7. What can you find in the Directions for Use section?
Information on storage, disposal, mixing, loading, application, and agricultural use
requirements.
8. What is in the Agricultural Use Requirements section that is especially
important to you?
Information about the requirement to comply with the Worker Protection Standard when
using this pesticide.
9. What is an REI, and why is it important?
REI stands for restricted-entry interval, or the time after pesticide application when entry
into the treated area is strictly limited. The time ranges from 12 hours to 3 days. Handlers
may enter an area during an REI only if they have been properly trained and equipped.
10. If you need information from the pesticide manufacturer, what help does the
label provide?
The name and address of the manufacturer and an emergency number to use in case of spills
and exposure accidents.
Transporting Pesticides
1. What are important safety rules to remember when you carry pesticides in a
car or truck?
Ask your employer what to do if you have a spill while traveling. Take spill cleanup
materials with you. Keep pesticides in the trunk of the car or in the back of the truck, not in
the cab. Keep pesticides separated from people, pets, or livestock while traveling. Don't
put your food and clothing or animal feed near the pesticides. Tie down the pesticide
containers or take other steps to make them secure.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
Storing Pesticides
1. If you work in a storage area for pesticides, what safety rules do you need to
observe?
Make sure that the containers are closed and stored upright. Check containers for leaks.
Lock the area. Report problems to your boss immediately.
2. Why should the storage area be locked?
To keep people and animals away from the pesticides and potentially harmful exposure.
Mixing and Loading Pesticides
1. Why it is especially important to observe safety rules when mixing and loading
pesticides?
Because unmixed pesticides are often in a concentrated form and can be very dangerous.
2. What are the safe procedures to follow when opening pesticide containers?
Wear chemical-resistant gloves and an apron over your other PPE, and wear protective
eyewear. Put the pesticide container on a flat surface and open it carefully. Use a sharp
knife or scissors to open paper and cardboard containers. Do not rip open pesticide
containers. Be sure to label the knife or scissors For Pesticide Use Only.
3. What can you do to avoid splashes when pouring?
Pour carefully. Keep your face and eyes well above the container. Get someone to help if
the container is too big for you to lift easily by yourself.
4. What kinds of PPE should you wear when mixing and loading pesticides?
In addition to your other PPE, wear a chemical-resistant apron and gloves and possibly
protective eyewear.
5. Why do you need to follow the label directions when measuring?
If you use too much or too little pesticide, there can be serious problems for the applicator,
the crop, and the envkonment.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
6. Why is it important to keep the hose above the level of the liquid in the tank?
If there is no air gap between the hose and the liquid in the tank, the mix can run backward
through the water hose and contaminate the water source. Equipment with a check valve
will also prevent this problem.
7. Why should you avoid mixing, loading, or cleaning equipment near ponds,
streams, wells, or ditches?
Rinsewater with pesticide in it could run off into these water sources.
Cleaning Up Pesticide Spills
1. What are the basic safety principles to follow when dealing with a
pesticide spill?
First, protect yourself, other people, and the surrounding area. Clean up the spill only if you
have appropriate PPE and cleanup materials. If in doubt, call for help and wait until it
arrives. Send someone for help, if possible, but don't leave if no one else is there.
2. What are the three Cs of spill management?
Control the spill; contain the spill; clean up the spill.
3. Name three actions to take to control a spill.
Shut off the mixing or application equipment if it is leaking; turn the container upright if it
has fallen; put a broken container inside another container.
4- How can you stop a spill from spreading?
Use a mound of soil or other material to make a dike around the edge of the spill; rope off
the area so that other people cannot walk through it.
5. How should you clean up a spill?
Do not use water. Soak up liquid spills with special spill sponges or with soil, sawdust,
clay, cat litter, or other absorbent materials.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
6. What should you do if the spilled pesticide or the cleanup material is likely to
blow around?
Moisten it very slightly or cover it with a tarp.
7. What should you do with the spilled pesticides and contaminated cleanup
materials?
Sweep the spill and cleanup materials into plastic containers or special drums. Then ask
your boss what to do with the waste.
Cleaning Pesticide Containers
1. How many times should you rinse empty containers?
At least three times.
2. What are the steps for washing empty containers?
Fill the empty container about 1/4 full of water, close it tightly, and shake or roll it so the
water rinses the inside completely. Pour the rinsewater from the container into the mixing
tank and rinse the container at least two more times. As an alternative to triple rinsing, use
a pressure-rinse nozzle to wash the container, turning the nozzle in all directions to rinse
the inside of the container thoroughly. Then drain the water into the mixing tank.
3. What should you do if a container cannot be rinsed?
Empty it and then close it tightly.
4. What should you do with empty containers?
Lock them away until they can be disposed of properly.
5. Name three things not to do with empty containers.
Never leave empty containers lying around the worksite. Never use empty pesticide
containers again for another purpose. Never take empty containers home with you.
6. If in doubt about what to do with empty containers, what should you do?
Ask your boss.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
Disposing of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers
1 „ Where can you look for directions about what to do with leftover pesticides?
The pesticide label has directions, but requirements vary from state to state. You may have
to check with your boss.
2. Who should know about state requirements for disposal?
Your employer should check with the pesticide authorities in your state about what to do.
3. Is it safe to store leftover pesticides before getting rid of them?
Yes, if the containers are closed and the storage area is safely locked.
Flagging
1. What are safe practices to follow when flagging for aerial application of
pesticides?
Wear all the PPE required on the pesticide label. Be sure all people and animals are out of
both the treatment area and nearby areas where the pesticide could drift. Be sure you are
out of the area before spraying begins. Keep upwind of the treatment area.
Applying Pesticides
1. What are safe practices to follow before applying pesticides to any area?
Read the application instructions on the label. Wear all the PPE you need to protect
yourself. Make sure the application equipment works properly. Turn it off if you need to
fix it. Be sure that all people and animals are out of the treatment area and nearby areas
before you begin. Check the weather conditions and don't apply pesticides if it is windy or
likely to rain soon.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
2. While applying pesticides, what should you be careful about?
Keep pesticides out of water supplies. Don't apply pesticides when the wind is blowing.
Read and follow the Environmental Hazard Statement on the label to avoid causing harm to
wildlife. Apply pesticides evenly. Watch for clogged nozzles or hoppers; clean them with
a nonmetal tool if necessary.
3. After applying pesticides, what should you do?
Keep your PPE on and follow your boss' instructions for cleaning your equipment. Then
put the equipment away; don't leave it in the treated area.
Cleaning Up
1. What is the first thing to do after you finish working with pesticides? Why is
this so important?
Take off your PPE. You and others do not want to risk exposure to pesticides that may still
be on the PPE.
2. What are safe practices to follow when taking off your PPE?
Be careful not to get pesticides on your skin or inner clothing. Wash the outside of your
gloves while you are still wearing them; if possible, keep the gloves on while taking off the
rest of your PPE. Peel down your coverall and take off other PPE. If you have already
removed your gloves, touch the outsides of the PPE as little as possible.
3. Which parts of your body should you wash immediately after peeling off PPE?
Your hands, face, and any other areas exposed to pesticides.
4. What is a safe way to wash PPE by hand?
Wear gloves. Use mild soap or mild detergent and very warm water. Wash both inside and
outside PPE like gloves, boots, and respirator facepieces.
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Suggested Discussion Responses
5. Which PPE should be thrown away after use?
Respirator filters, cartridges, canisters, and some types of coveralls, gloves, shoe coverings,
and aprons. Your employer should tell you how long they can be worn before throwing
them away. You should also throw out coveralls or work clothes that are soaked with
pesticides.
6. At the end of the workday, what should you do to ensure that you have no
pesticides anywhere on you?
Take off your work clothes, shower, and put on clean clothes. Put used work clothes into a
container until they can be washed. Do not wear work clothes while riding home.
7. How can you protect your family from pesticide contamination?
Don't take PPE home unless it has been cleaned. Wash your work clothes separately from
your family's clothes.
8. What is the procedure for machine washing work clothes or coveralls that have
been exposed to pesticides?
Wash only a few items of clothing at one time. Use heavy-duty detergent and lots of hot
water. Use warm water to rinse. Rinse twice. Use two machine cycles for items of
clothing that are moderately to heavily contaminated.
9. What is the recommended way of drying work clothes that have been exposed
to pesticides?
Hang them on a clothesline outside.
10. How should you clean your washing machine after doing your work clothes
and before doing family laundry?
Run the washer through one more cycle without laundry but with detergent and hot water.
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Supplementary Materials
Overview.
Notes for Trainers
Training Verification
WPS Protections for Pesticide Handlers
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OVERVIEW
Pesticide Regulation
A Brief History
Few chemicals have had as much impact or been
the subject of as much controversy in recent
decades as pesticides. Introduced on a massive
scale following the Second World War, pesticides
have become an integral part of American
agricultural production, making possible the most
plentiful and the safest food supply in human
history.
Over time, however, public concerns have mounted
about the toxic effects of chemical pesticides.
Pesticide residues in food, farmworker exposure to
pesticides, and pesticide contamination of
groundwater have all contributed to a growing
unease over the widespread use of pesticides.
Some of these concerns have had beneficial results.
Consumers are using more caution in handling
pesticides and in limiting their exposures to
pesticides in food. In the agricultural community,
many growers are using fewer chemical pesticides
and adopting a more integrated approach to
managing pests. And new pesticides coming on the
market tend to be less toxic than the chemicals they
replace. While all of these are encouraging signs,
pesticides nevertheless remain a fact of our daily
lives. Managing pesticides to minimize their risks
and maximize their benefits is the task we face.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has been charged by Congress with.the job of
regulating the use of pesticides and balancing the
risks and benefits associated with pesticide use.
To carry out this task, EPA has developed a variety
of regulatory and educational programs to protect
human health and the environment from the
harmful effects of pesticides. These programs
include registering pesticides for specific uses,
setting tolerances that limit the amount of pesticide
residues allowed on food, setting standards to
protect workers who are exposed to pesticides,
certifying and training pesticide applicators, and
educating consumers about pesticide use and
exposure.
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86
Overview
EPA's Role
EPA regulates the use of pesticides in the United
States under the authority of the Federal.
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA). No pesticide may legally be sold or
used in the United States unless it bears an EPA
registration number. It is a violation of the law
for any person to use a pesticide in a manner
inconsistent with its label.
FIFRA gives EPA the authority and responsibility
for registering pesticides for specified uses,
provided that such uses do not pose an
unreasonable risk to human health or to the
environment. FIFRA includes provisions for
monitoring the distribution and use of pesticides
and imposing civil as well as criminal penalties
for violations.
State Enforcement
Since 1978, States and Tribes have been given
primary enforcement responsibility for pesticide
use violations, subject to oversight by EPA.
Through cooperative enforcement agreements, all
States (except Wyoming) and several Tribes have
assumed primary enforcement responsibility. (EPA
sets FIFRA enforcement policy and conducts
compliance monitoring and enforcement programs
in Wyoming.)
Cases of pesticide misuse or accidents should be
reported to the State or Tribal agency with
responsibility for pesticides—generally the State
Department of Agriculture. Such cases also may be
reported to an EPA Regional Office.
The Revised Worker
Protection Standard
In August 1992, EPA issued revised regulations
governing the protection of employees on farms,
forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from
occupational exposures to agricultural pesticides.
The new Worker Protection Standard (WPS) covers
both workers in areas treated with pesticides and
employees who handle (mix, load, apply, etc.)
pesticides for use in these areas.
EPA determined that its previous regulations were
inadequate to protect agricultural workers and
pesticide handlers who are occupationally exposed
to pesticides. The revised regulations are intended
to reduce the risk of pesticide poisonings and
injuries to agricultural workers and pesticide
handlers through appropriate exposure reduction
measures.
The regulations expand the requirements for
warnings about pesticide applications, use of
personal protective equipment, and restrictions on
entry to treated areas. New requirements are added
for decontamination, emergency assistance,
maintaining contact with handlers of highly toxic
pesticides, and pesticide safety training.
Pesticide registrants are required to add appropriate
labeling statements referring to these regulations
and specifying application restrictions and other
requirements.
The provisions in the revised Worker Protection
Standard apply to the working conditions of two
types of employees:
4 Agricultural workers—those who perform
tasks related to the cultivation and harvesting
of plants on farms or in greenhouses,
nurseries, or forests, and
* Pesticide handlers—those who handle
agricultural pesticides (mix, load, apply, clean
or repair equipment, act as flaggers, etc.).
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Overview
The Health Risks of Pesticides
The dangers of pesticide poisoning are real. Short-
term exposures to pesticide residues or sprays, can
result in acute illnesses ranging from headaches,
eye irritation, and upper respiratory complaints to
depression and fatigue. Exposures to high levels of
some pesticides over a long period of time can
inhibit an enzyme called cholinesterase, causing
symptoms such as nausea, weakness, dizziness,
excessive sweating, salivation, vomiting, abdominal
pain, diarrhea, blurred vision, slurred speech, and
rapid heart rate.
The effects of chronic exposure to low levels of
pesticides can be as serious or more serious. The
medical literature links pesticides to a variety of
chronic diseases including cancer (particularly
leukemia), birth defects, blood disorders, sterility,
abnormalities in liver and kidney function, genetic
damage, and neurological, psychological, and
behavioral effects.
How Many People Are Affected?
Millions of people are exposed to pesticide
products or residues through their work. Farmers
and agricultural workers and their families are
potentially at risk from direct, indirect, or
accidental exposure to pesticides. This includes
breathing pesticide fumes, having skin contact
with pesticide residues or pesticide spills, and
swallowing or absorbing pesticides from
contaminated water.
Some 10,000-20,000 acute pesticide poisoning
incidents are diagnosed annually by physicians.
However, this statistic is probably only a fraction of
the true number of cases. All available evidence
indicates that pesticide-related illnesses frequently
go unrecognized and, even when recognized, often
go unreported.
Benefits of the Revised WPS
The new standard offers the opportunity for
growers, workers, and handlers to help protect
themselves and one another from pesticides.
Compliance with the new rule is expected to
avert 80 percent of the adverse health effects of
pesticides. Associated benefits to employers
include reduction of lost work time, reduced
medical expenses, and increased productivity.
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Overview
WPS Pesticide Safety Training
for Pesticide Handlers
Who Needs Pesticide
Safety Training?
The revised WPS requires pesticide safety training
for all agricultural workers and for pesticide
handlers. Workers, in general, perform hand labor
tasks such as weeding, planting, cultivating, and
harvesting or other tasks involved in the production
of agricultural plants. Pesticide handlers, in
general, mix, load, or apply pesticides, or do other
tasks that bring them into direct contact with
pesticides. (See page 95ff for the complete
definition of pesticide handler and for a description
of each of the protections provided to pesticide
handlers by the WPS.)
Separate WPS training programs are required for
pesticide handlers and for agricultural workers.
EPA has developed training materials for both
programs.
Employers need not provide an agricultural worker
or pesticide handler with WPS safety training if the
worker or handler has received the appropriate
WPS training within the last 5 years or if the
worker or handler currently is trained as a certified
applicator of restricted use pesticides.
When Must Pesticide Handlers
Be Trained?
After April 15, 1994, pesticide handlers must be
trained before they do any handling task.
How Often Must Pesticide Handlers
Be Retrained?
The WPS requires that pesticide handlers be
retrained at least once every 5 years, counting from
the end of the month in which the .previous training
was completed.
What Is the Purpose of
This Handbook?
This handbook was prepared to provide WPS basic
pesticide safety training to pesticide handlers. It
also provides valuable information that—
* Explains the WPS safety training
requirements for pesticide handlers.
* Provides helpful advice for
training delivery.
* Describes the EPA training
verification program.
4 Describes the WPS protections for
pesticide handlers.
What Materials Must Be Used in the
Training Program?
The WPS lists 13 concepts that must be covered in
pesticide handler safety training (see details below).
To conduct valid pesticide handler safety training,
trainers must cover at least these 13 concepts.
They must use written and/or audiovisual materials
and they must present the training orally or
audiovisually.
Protect Yourself from Pesticides is a safety program
developed by EPA to cover these 13 concepts.
Other organizations are also developing training
materials that meet the WPS pesticide handler
training requirements. EPA will be compiling and
updating a listing of some of these materials. The
list will be available from EPA Headquarters and
the EPA Regional Office in your area.
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Overview
Are There Training Requirements in
Addition to the WPS Requirements?
Some States and Tribes have additional require-
ments for pesticide safety training for pesticide
handlers. They also may require that retraining be
provided more often than every 5 years. Contact
the agency responsible for pesticide enforcement in
your area to obtain information needed to comply
with all State or Tribal requirements.
What Are the Criteria for Pesticide
Handier Training?
Safety Training Topics
WPS training for pesticide handlers must include at
least the following 13 concepts:
+ Format and meaning of information on
pesticide labels and in labeling, including
safety information such as precautionary
statements about human health hazards.
* Hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity
and exposure, including acute effects, chronic
effects, delayed effects, and sensitization.
* Routes through which pesticides can enter
the body.
+ Signs and symptoms of common types of
pesticide poisoning.
•* Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or
poisonings.
* How to obtain emergency medical care.
+ Routine and emergency decontamination
procedures, including emergency eyeflushing
techniques.
4 Need for and appropriate use of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
4 Prevention, recognition, and first aid treatment
of heat-related illness.
* Safety requirements for handling, transporting,
storing, and disposing of pesticides, including
general procedures for spill cleanup.
* Environmental concerns such as drift, runoff,
and wildlife hazards.
+ Warnings about taking pesticides or pesticide
containers home.
* An explanation of WPS requirements that
handler employers must follow for the
protection of handlers and others, including
the prohibition against applying pesticides in a
manner that will cause contact with workers or
other persons, provisions for training and
decontamination, and the protection against
retaliatory acts.
Requirements for Trainers
The person who conducts pesticide handler
training must—
* Currently be a certified applicator of restricted
use pesticides
OR
•» Currently be designated as a trainer of certified
applicators or a trainer of pesticide handlers by
a State, Federal, or Tribal agency having
jurisdiction
OR
* Have completed a pesticide safety train-the-
trainer program approved by a State, Federal,
or Tribal agency having jurisdiction.
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90
Overview
Use of Training Materials
Anyone who conducts handler training must—
* Use written and/or audiovisual materials.
+ Present the training orally or audio visually.
* Present the information in a manner that the
trainees can understand, using a translator, if
necessary.
4 Respond to trainees' questions.
Materials used for the training may be those
developed or approved by EPA or can be materials
that include at least the 13 concepts listed above
under Safety Training Topics.
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91
NOTES FOR TRAINERS
Trainers' Goals
4 To help pesticide handlers stay safe and
healthy when they work around pesticides.
4 To familiarize pesticide handlers with
pesticide safety information.
4 To meet the training requirements of the
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and any
local training requirements.
Trainees' Goals
As a result of this safety training program, handlers
should be able to protect themselves from
pesticides because they know.—
4 How to prevent exposure to pesticides.
4 What to do if they are exposed to a pesticide.
4 Where to get information about pesticides.
4 What employers must do to help protect
pesticide handlers from pesticides used
at work.
Materials Needed
To ensure coverage of the 13 concepts required by
WPS, trainers are encouraged to use this handbook
developed by EPA or other pesticide handler
training materials approved by EPA.
Training Time
Allow at least 90 minutes to present the required
information. Trainers must allow time for
questions and answers.
Recommended Preparation
Before the training session
4 Identify where and when the training will
take place.
4 Find out about the trainees' backgrounds:
Who are they? Where are they from? What
kind of handler activities have they done in the
past? What kind of work are they doing now?
Have they ever been trained about pesticides
or pesticide safety before? How much do they
already know about pesticides? This
information will help you make the training
appropriate for each specific group of trainees.
4 If you speak only English and the trainees do
not, you must arrange for a translator.
4 Remember, some handlers may not read,
either in English or in their native language. If
you plan to use materials or activities that
require the trainees to read, be sure to consider
those in the group who do not read. Try to
make the activity meaningful in a way that
will not embarrass anyone in the group. For
example, combine reading (by those who can
read) with demonstrating (by those who
cannot read).
4 Determine the size of your audience.
4 Obtain the appropriate number of copies of the
materials that you need.
4 Obtain the necessary equipment. For example:
a slide projector, a screen, a small table if you
are using a flipchart, a VCR if you plan to use
a videotape.
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Notes for Trainers
* Become familiar with the training materials
that you will be using. Read the objectives
for each section. Study the information and
the review questions and answers for each
section. Consider the optional opening
questions and the additional training tips that
are described here.
* Arrive at least 15 minutes before the training
session is scheduled to start.
During the Training Session
4 If you were unable to find out about the
trainees' background in advance, spend a few
minutes at the start of the training session
getting to know them.
* Trainees remember what they see and hear
better than what they only hear. Make sure
everyone you are training can see the
illustrations and hear you. If you are using
only the handbook for training, make sure
there are enough copies so that everyone can
easily see the illustrations.
* You will present the safety information in this
training program to the handlers mainly by
reading the text to them.
* However, the trainees shouldn't remain silent
or passive during the entire training session.
At a minimum, you should ask review
questions at the end of each section. WPS
requires you to allow time for the handlers to
ask questions about the information provided
in the training course.
+ When you ask questions, give the trainees
enough time to think about their answers.
Allow a few moments of silence. Try not to
answer your own questions. Be a good
listener.
4 Adults bring a wide range of experience to a
training session, and they learn from each
other by sharing their experiences. Whenever
possible, involve your audience. Ask
questions to lead them, based on their own
work experiences, to suggest ways to protect
themselves. Ask them to give specific
examples of how to practice the safety steps
described in your training. Encourage them to
talk about how the new regulations affect them
at their worksites.
4 Encourage everyone to say something.
Rephrase the question(s) if they don't seem to
understand.
* Whenever possible, demonstrate a point for
the trainees. Better yet, ask the trainees
themselves to demonstrate points from the
training program. If they can see real
examples that apply to where they work, they
will remember the concepts better than if they
just look at the illustration.
Additional Training Tips
4 Time permitting, it is very useful to begin each
section with an opening question. A carefully
chosen, open-ended question stimulates the
trainees to think about one or more of the
issues that are going to come up in the section.
Their answers or comments provide a perfect
lead-in to your presentation of the information
in the section. Optional opening questions can
be found at the beginning of each training unit.
+ Try using some of the illustrations as a
starting point for a short discussion. For
example, point to the illustrations on the cover
and ask—
Q Does this resemble your worksite?
D Do you work in these conditions?
a Do you do this at work?
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Notes for Trainers
Using This Handbook
The Handbook consists of the Guide for WPS
handler safety training and supplementary
materials. The Guide is divided into an
introduction, 17 short units, and a conclusion. Each
training unit includes objectives, opening questions,
and suggested discussion questions for review.
Answers to the review questions can be found on
pages 70-83. The supplementary material at the
end of this handbook provides an overview of
pesticide regulation and WPS training
requirements, training notes, a summary of the
training verification program, and details about the
protections that WPS requires for pesticide
handlers.
You may find it helpful to go over the objectives
with the trainees at the start of a new section. As
stated earlier, opening questions help focus the
trainees' attention on the subject to be presented.
Asking trainees the review questions at the end of
the section helps reinforce the information you have
just presented. This also lets you know if there are
things the trainees don't understand. If they have
trouble answering the questions at the end of a
section, try going over the key points again. The
review questions may also help start a group
discussion if time permits.
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