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ny time you or the people you supervise
may be exposed to a pesticide, consider the
need to use personal protective equipment
(PPE) — clothing and devices that protect the
body from contact with pesticides.
The law requires pesticide users to
follow all PPE instructions on the pesti-
cide label.
More protection may be a good idea in
some situations.
When Is PPE Needed?
Exposure to pesticides — getting them on
or in the body — can cause harm. Prevent or
reduce the risk by wearing PPE when exposed
to pesticides at work. Pay particular attention
to covering the skin, because it is the p'art of
the body that usually gets the most exposure
during pesticide handling tasks.
Most pesticide handlers
know to wear PPE during
mixing, loading, and applica-
tion, but many do not wear it
at other times when they may
be exposed.
Wear PPE for any task
that could cause pesti-
cides to get on the skin or
in the mouth, eyes, or
lungs
For example:
• disposing of pesticides
or pesticide
containers,
• transporting (or
carrying) pesticide
containers that are
open or have pesticide
spilled on the outside,
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a helping with an application, such as
scouting, monitoring, or checking
pesticide coverage,
M flagging for aerial applications,
B cleaning, adjusting, or maintaining
equipment that has pesticides on it,
S entering enclosed areas after
fumigation to measure air levels or
operate ventilation systems,
9 entering treated areas after soil
fumigation to adjust or remove
coverings, such as tarpaulins,
9 cleaning up spills.
Using PPE Correctly
Remember that PPE can provide protec-
tion only if the pesticide remains on the
outside of the material. Once the pesticide
gets inside the PPE, the material holds the
pesticide next to the skin. When this happens,
the pesticide may cause skin irritation or may
go through the skin and into the body.
Know how to use PPE correctly, and be
sure it is clean and in good operating condi-
tion. Put on and remove the equipment
carefully and do not contact any pesticides
that may be on the outside of it. Do not "cheat"
on PPE by taking off gloves to adjust equip-
ment or by pulling the respirator away to
scratch, wipe off sweat, or take a deep breath
while still exposed to the pesticide. Do not
wipe gloves on clothing; this will contaminate
the clothing, and pesticide may move through
to the skin.
Body Protection
For any pesticide handling task, wear at
least a long-sleeved shirt and long-legged
pants. In many instances the pesticide label
will require coveralls, a chemical-resistant
suit, or a chemical-resistant apron.
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Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
Long-sleeved shirts and long pants should
be made of sturdy material. Fasten the shirt
collar to protect the lower part of the neck.
Coveralls
Coveralls should be made of a woven
fabric such as cotton, polyester, a cotton-
synthetic blend, or a nonwoven fabric. Woven
fabric should be a tightly woven, sturdy
material (such as denim) weighing 7 to 10
ounces per square yard.
One-piece coveralls look like jump suits or
flight suits. Two-piece coveralls look like
surgeons' suits. Fasten coveralls securely so
the entire body is covered except the feet,
hands, neck, and head. Do not tuck a two-
piece coverall in at the waist; the shirt should
extend well below the waist and fit loosely
around the hips.
More body protection is a good idea when
handling pesticides that are highly or moder-
ately toxic when absorbed through the skin or
that are skin irritants. Unless the label
directs otherwise, wear a coverall over other
clothing, preferably a long-sleeved shirt and
long pants. The clothing under the coverall
should cover the body at least from shoulders
to thighs. The pesticide labeling may specify a
particular type of clothing to be worn under
the coverall.
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Several factors affect the amount of
protection a coverall provides. The coverall
should fit loosely. Unless there is a layer of air
between the coverall and the skin, any pesti-
cide that gets through the coverall will be in
direct contact with the skin. Each layer of
clothing worn under the coverall adds not only
a layer of material, but also a protective layer
of air.
The design of coveralls also influences the
amount of protection they offer. Well-designed
coveralls have tightly constructed seams and
snug, overlapping closures that do not gap or
become unfastened readily.
Chemical-resistant suit
A few pesticide labels require handlers to
wear a chemical-resistant suit. This usually
indicates that the pesticide is very hazardous
and that extra care is necessary. When a
large amount of pesticide could be deposited
on the clothing, consider wearing a chemical-
resistant suit even if pesticide labeling does
not require it.
Chemical-resistant suits may be one-piece
coveralls or two-piece outfits consisting of a
jacket worn over overalls or pants.
Except in cool or climate-controlled
environments, chemical-resistant suits can be
uncomfortably warm to wear. Even in moder-
ate temperatures, wearing a chemical-
resistant suit can quickly cause overheating.
Take precautions to avoid heat stress.
Chemical-resistant apron
The pesticide label may require a
chemical-resistant apron while mixing and
loading and while cleaning pesticide equip-
ment. Consider wearing an apron for any
handling task that involves concentrated
pesticides. It will protect against splashes,
spills, and dusts and will protect coveralls and
other clothing. Wear the apron over the
coveralls or the long-sleeved shirt and long
pants that the label requires for application or
other handling activities.
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Choose an apron that extends from the
neck to at least the knees. Some aprons have
attached sleeves; these are especially protec-
tive, because they protect the arms and front
and eliminate the gap where the sleeve and
apron meet.
In some situations, an apron can be a
safety hazard; it can get caught in machinery
or get in the way. In those situations, consider
wearing a chemical-resistant suit instead.
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Hand and Foot Protection
Hands and forearms get the most pesti-
cide exposure. As a result, most pesticide
labels require handlers to wear chemical-
resistant gloves. Unless the label states
otherwise, wear chemical-resistant gloves any
time pesticides may get on the hands.
Pesticide handlers often get pesticides on
their feet. Many pesticide labels require
chemical-resistant footwear, which can be
shoes, shoe covers, or boots.
Shoes and socks are allowed by some
pesticide labels. However, canvas, cloth, and
leather are difficult or impossible to clean
adequately. Consider using chemical-
resistant footwear when pesticides, especially
concentrates, may get on footwear.
Choosing gloves and footwear
Unless the pesticide label directs other-
wise, use only unlined gloves or boots. Gloves
and footwear made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
or rubber (butyl, nitrile, neoprene or natural
rubber) must be at least 14 mils thick.
Always use new or freshly cleaned gloves
and footwear. Items that have been used
before may already have pesticides on the
inside.
Using gloves and footwear
Do not contaminate the inside of gloves
and footwear. If pesticides get inside gloves or
footwear, take them off immediately, wash,
and put on a clean pair. Keep several pairs of
clean gloves and footwear available and
change whenever necessary.
Contamination often happens when
handlers remove gloves to adjust equipment,
open a pesticide container, or wipe their face,
and then replace the gloves over contaminated
hands.
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Wash gloves thoroughly before taking
them off, and wash hands thoroughly and
dry them before putting gloves on again.
Handlers sometimes make the mistake of
putting on footwear with contaminated hands.
This may transfer the pesticide from hands to
feet.
Keep pesticides from running down
sleeves or pants legs and into gloves or foot-
wear. Use gloves that reach at least halfway
to the elbow, put the sleeve over the glove, and
fasten at the cuff. Or fasten the glove tightly
to the outside of the sleeve with heavy-duty
tape, an elastic band, or another fastener so
the pesticide cannot run down into the glove.
For jobs where the legs will be exposed to
pesticides, wear trouser legs outside the boots
8
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or fasten shoe covers tightly to the trouser leg.
This keeps the pesticide from running down
the trouser leg and collecting in boots or shoe
covers.
Head and Neck Protection
If the head and neck will be exposed to
pesticides, wear a chemical-resistant hood or
chemical-resistant wide-brimmed hat. Plastic
"safari" hats with plastic sweatbands or
"firefighter"-style hats are a good choice, and
they are relatively cool in hot weather. Other
hats and hoods are also available in chemical-
resistant materials.
Some chemical-resistant jackets and
coveralls have attached protective hoods. If
the attached hood is not being used, tuck it
inside the neckline so it will not collect pesti-
cides.
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INTERPRETING PPE STATEMENTS
ON PESTICIDE LABELS
Label Statement
Acceptable PPE
Long-sleeved shirt and
long pants
Coverall worn over
short-sleeved shirt and
short pants
Coverall worn over long-
sleeved shirt and long
pants
Chemical-resistant
apron worn over
coverall or over long-
sleeved shirt and long
pants
Chemical-resistant
protective suit
Waterproof suit or
Liquidproof suit
Long-sleeved shirt and long
pants, or
Woven or nonwoven coverall, or
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coverall, or
Rubber or plastic suit
Coverall worn over short-
sleeved shirt and short
pants, or
Coverall worn over long-sleeved
shirt and long pants, or
Coverall worn over another
coverall, or
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coverall, or
Rubber or plastic suit
Coverall worn over long-sleeved
shirt and long pants, or
Coverall worn over another
coverall, or
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coverall, or
Rubber or plastic suit
Chemical-resistant apron worn
over coverall or long-sleeved
shirt and long pants, or
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coverall, or
Rubber or plastic suit
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coveralls, or
Rubber or plastic suit
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated coveralls, or
Rubber or plastic suit
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Label Statement
Acceptable PPE
Waterproof gloves
Chemical-resistant gloves
Chemical-resistant gloves
such as butyl or nitrile
Shoes
Chemical-resistant
footwear
Any rubber or plastic
gloves sturdy enough to
remain intact throughout the
task being performed
Barrier-laminate
gloves, or
Other gloves that glove
selection charts or guidance
documents indicate are
chemical-resistant to the
pesticide for the period
of time required to perform
the task
Butyl gloves, or
Nitrile gloves, or
Other gloves that glove
selection charts or guidance
documents indicate are
chemical-resistant to the
pesticide for the period
of time required to perform
the task
Leather, canvas, or fabric
shoes, or
Chemical-resistant shoes, or
Chemical-resistant boots, or
Chemical-resistant shoe
coverings (booties)
Chemical-resistant shoes, or
Chemical-resistant boots, or
Chemical-resistant shoe
coverings (booties)
Chemical-resistant boots Chemical-resistant boots
Chemical-resistant hood or Rubber- or plastic-coated
wide-brimmed hat
safari-style hat, or
Rubber- or plastic-coated
firefighter-style hat, or
Plastic- or other barrier-
coated hood, or
Rubber or plastic hood, or
Full hood or helmet that is
part of some respirators
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