Following proper pesticide handling procedures will help prevent leaks
and spills, however, these can still happen at any time. If you
happen to come across any pesticide leaks or spills, steps can be taken
to resolve the accident. First, put on the appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment. Then, limit the amount of pesticide and isolate
the area where the spill occurred. Remember to keep people and animals
away from the spill to prevent exposure. If the pesticide spilled
is in powder form, you can moisten it to keep it from creating dust
while cleaning up the spill. Then sweep it inward from the edges to
the center. Next, you will need to
pick up the spill using a broom or shovel and then place it in a
plastic bag or sealable bucket. Make sure your spill contents are
completely sealed in either one of these containers. If the pesticide
is in liquid form, use an absorbant to soak up the liquid. Then follow
the same clean up procedure. If the spill occurs on concrete or
a similar surface, the contaminated area must be cleaned with a
detergent. Once the pesticide has been swept up and contained,
discard the broom and thoroughly clean your shovel and PPE.
Once your spill is contained, you need a permanent marker to label
your spill container with the pesticide, the person responsible
for the clean up, and the signal word to identify the toxicity of
the pesticide. You should also have access to emergency phone numbers
and information such as your employer's office phone, fire
department or CHP, CHEMTREC, and the County Agricultural
Commissioner. Remember to always follow the information provided by
the MSDS.
There are numerous items in a spill kit to help you resolve the
leak or spill situation.
As part of the spill containment,
you will find a ten foot by 50 foot poly tarp and some absorbent
pillows, rags, or other types of absorbent to use in case of a
liquid spill. When you are ready to clean up the
spill, you should have a whisk broom, sixteen inch squeegee,
shovel, dust pan, poly bags, sealable drum, and sponges.
Remember, if there is a contamination that requires
immediate attention, call 9-1-1 or the Poison Control System
throughout California at 1-800-8 POISON.
Being able to recognize the health effects of pesticide exposure is
important as you or a coworker may require immediate medical
attention. Refer to the MSDS information or the label on
the pesticide container you are using to see what the symptoms of
exposure are. The four main routes that
pesticides enter the body are through the skin, the eyes,
ingestion, or inhalation. For skin exposure, rinse the area
of exposure with lukewarm water. Do not rinse with cold water as you
can cause further damage to the skin.
If the pesticides have come in contact with your hair or clothes,
shower with plenty of soap, clean under your
fingernails, wash your hair thoroughly, and rinse with clean
water. If no soap is available, change into clean clothes until you
are able to clean yourself thoroughly.
If the pesticide gets into the eyes, rinse your eyes with clean
water for at least fifteen minutes. If there is no eye wash station
present, pour water over your eyes or use a faucet or hose and blink
while rinsing. DO NOT FORCE YOUR EYES OPEN.
The contamination can worsen. Be aware that permanent damage to the
eyes may occur. If the pesticide is
swallowed, call 9-1-1 or the poison control center.
Check the MSDS label to see if inducing vomiting is safe to do so.
Do not induce vomiting if the pesticide is corrosive, or highly
acidic. This can severely burn the mouth and throat.
You should have access to a proper first-aid kit at all times. The
first-aid kit should include the following: a shaped plastic airway
for mouth-to mouth resuscitation, four to five pairs of disposable
gloves, safety glasses, band aids, bandages, and
tape, small plastic bottle of soap solution and tongue
blades.
Sometimes regular blood tests may
be required when spraying specific pesticides. Check the MSDS and with
your employer for more information. When seeking medical attention,
tell the nurse or doctor exactly what happened, which pesticide you
were exposed to, and if possible, the time of the exposure. If you
come across someone that has been exposed and they are awake and
alert, follow the first-aid directions on the pesticide
container label. If you witness someone falling unconscious, call 9
1-1 immediately and let rescue personnel know that pesticides may be involved
Wind can be a dangerous element during pesticide spraying.
It's a good idea to check your local weather listings to determine
what the max wind speed is for the day. You might also want to
determine the nozzle size of the sprayer. A sprayer that emits mist
is more susceptible to a drift over droplet spraying. Also check the
direction of the spraying. If the sprayer has a fan, angle it
toward the ground or up in the air depending on crop location.
Make sure to keep away from people, waterways, animals, and other
sensitive plants during spraying.
As a pesticide handler, there are required duties that are not always in the field. It is important to maintain records and information
regarding pesticide handling and safety. These documents can
include, but are not limited to, copies of licenses and
certifications, training records, safety meeting minutes, required
postings, medical evaluations, inspections and repair of equipment.
By now you should have the skills needed for working safely with
pesticides. You should know: What specific PPE is required for
the type of pesticide you are working with; remember to conduct
routine inspections of your equipment; proper storage of
pesticide containers to protect your surrounding environment;
proper record keeping; proper mixing and loading techniques; how
to contain a chemical leak or spill; the materials of a spill
kit; what to do in case of an exposure; basic first aid for a
pesticide exposure and poisoning;proper record keeping; and how to contain a pesticide
drift. If you follow these guidelines and your employer's
injury and illness prevention program, you will minimize the risk
of injury to yourself and others.
The California Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with
State Compensation Insurance Fund provides this video as a tool to
help keep you and your fellow workers from harm or injury.
Participating in your employer's Injury and Illness Prevention
Program is also an important safety practice. You can find more
information on pesticide safety on the Farm Bureau's, Farm Employer's
Labor Service, and State Compensation Insurance Fund's Web
sites. Always take the time to review safety strategies to prevent
serious injury to yourself and others. Thank you for joining us.