precautions while using pesticides

Some processors will not accept a crop treated with certain chemicals. If your crop is going to a processor, be sure to check with the processor before applying a pesticide. Pesticides can also enter our bodies indirectly through the food chain. Non degradable pesticides contaminate soil and water from where they are absorbed by plants. When human beings or animals eat these plants as food, these pesticides enter their bodies and affect their health.

Certain chemicals may cause injury to crops (phytotoxicity) under certain conditions. Always consult the label for limitations. Before applying any pesticide, take into account the stage of plant development, the soil type and condition, the temperature, moisture, and wind. Injury may also result from the use of incompatible materials.

Follow label directions carefully. Avoid splashing, spilling, leaks, spray drift, and contamination of clothing. NEVER eat, smoke, drink, or chew while using pesticides. Provide for emergency medical care IN ADVANCE as required by regulation.

Pesticides can be hazardous if not used safely. Pesticides can enter the body in three ways by mouth, through the skin and eyes, and through inhalation (breathing into the lungs). Use recommended safety clothing or cover your mouth with clean piece of cloth, wear full sleeve shirt and pants while spraying. Do not mix pesticide solution with bare hands. Use a paddle or stick when preparing the spray solution.

Be trained in the correct use and handling of pest control products some products can be used by specially trained and certified personnel. Become familiar with regulations that apply to pesticide use and follow all regulatory requirements. Minimize use of pesticides where possible.. Choose correct pesticide for the job. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing when handling and spraying pesticide products. Follow the precautions that appear on the label. Inspect pesticide containers for leaks before handling. Contact power utility to determine proper distances between spray nozzle and power lines. Learn to recognize the typical signs of poisoning and the correct first aid procedures.. Stop work and seek medical attention immediately if you feel ill during pesticide use or you notice signs in a co worker. Have washing facilities as close as possible to mixing and loading sites. Keep products in their original labelled packages.

Before you decide to apply pesticides, always be sure that all factors are favorable for protecting you, others, and the environment. Do not consider applying pesticides if all the factors described in this chapter are not as they should be. Many safety precautions should be taken before you actually begin applying pesticides. Too many pesticide applicators are dangerously and unnecessarily exposed to pesticides while they are preparing to spray. Most pesticide accidents can be prevented with informed and careful practices.

All pesticide users are strongly advised to keep thorough records for personal, crop, and economic protection. Regulations require specific records (see Chapter II), but beyond requirements they can be very helpful. Information on previous applications can prevent damage to sensitive crops, as well as prevent the presence of illegal residues. Consistent, yearly records will assist you in your pest control practices and guide you in future pest control programs.

Always read the label on the pesticide container before you begin to use it. Make sure that you understand everything you need to know about the pesticide ahead of time so that you are a Some pesticides are designated hazardous substances by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Certain guidelines apply to the transportation of pesticides that are on DOTs list of hazardous substances. For example, shipping papers must be carried in the truck cab if designated pesticides are moved on the highway. The truck may also be required to display a sign (placard) which indicates that hazardous substances are being transported. The state DOT office should be contacted for detailed information on which pesticides are on the hazardous substance list, and what rules apply to them during transportation.

The need for personal protective equipment depends mainly on the pesticide being handled. You may wear ordinary work clothes (long sleeve shirt and pants) while using pesticides of low toxicity (category III or lower toxicity levels), but it is a good idea to reserve one set of work clothes specifically for this purpose. More toxic chemicals (categories I and II) require coveralls worn over another layer of clothes, or chemical resistant protective suits. In the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) for agricultural pesticides, the EPA defines a material as chemical resistant if it shows no measurable movement of pesticide through the material during use.

Carefully choose the most suitable equipment for applying your pesticides. Always use equipment correctly and take good care of it. Before you begin using your equipment, check it thoroughly to be absolutely sure that everything is working properly. Calibrate your equipment so that you apply the exact amount of pesticide necessary. Be sure there are no leaks in hoses, pumps, or tanks. Check for loose connections and worn spots in hoses that could leak or burst. One way to check for leaks is to operate the equipment at normal pressures with clean water before filling with pesticide mixture. If belts, pulleys, or drive chains are exposed, put guards around them so that you, children, or other people cannot be injured. The spray tank should have a tight lid so that neither you nor others will be splashed and spray materials will not leak onto the ground.