PPE PPE andand

Safe Pesticide Safe Pesticide HandlingHandling

PPE and Safe Pesticide PPE and Safe Pesticide HandlingHandling

• What are the basic safety questions What are the basic safety questions you should ask yourself?you should ask yourself?

• Why is it so important to wear gloves?Why is it so important to wear gloves?• What is the appropriate PPE for each What is the appropriate PPE for each

pesticide you apply, mix or load?pesticide you apply, mix or load?• Is it important to clean your PPE?Is it important to clean your PPE?• Are you prepared for an emergency?Are you prepared for an emergency?• Are your pesticides good travelers?Are your pesticides good travelers?

What is PPE and what is What is PPE and what is it for?it for?

• What is PPE for?What is PPE for?– To protect the human To protect the human

from contact with from contact with pesticides.pesticides.

• Examples of PPE:Examples of PPE:– Coveralls or Coveralls or

protective suits, protective suits, footwear, gloves, footwear, gloves, aprons, respirators, aprons, respirators, goggles, headgear, goggles, headgear, etc.etc.

HAZARD = Toxicity x HAZARD = Toxicity x ExposureExposure

• What is the best way to keep the hazards What is the best way to keep the hazards of pesticide handling at a minimum?of pesticide handling at a minimum?

– AVOID EXPOSURE AVOID EXPOSURE !!

Routes of Pesticide Routes of Pesticide ExposureExposure

OCULAROCULAR

INGESTIONINGESTION

INHALATIOINHALATIONN

DERMALDERMAL

What to wear?What to wear?

• READ THE PESTICIDE LABEL !READ THE PESTICIDE LABEL !

The pesticide label lists the minimum personal protective equipment that you must wear while handling the pesticide.

Ways to avoid exposure in Ways to avoid exposure in addition to using the addition to using the

proper PPEproper PPE• Greatest risk and Greatest risk and

potential for potential for exposure to the exposure to the pesticide applicator pesticide applicator occurs during occurs during

• Why?Why?

• Limit the hazard byLimit the hazard by

mixing and mixing and loading.loading.

selecting a pesticide with a selecting a pesticide with a lower toxicity.lower toxicity.CAUTIONCAUTION WARNINGWARNING DANGERDANGER

most most concentrated concentrated statestate

Chemical Resistant PPEChemical Resistant PPE

• What is chemical resistant?What is chemical resistant?– MaterialMaterial ( (different materials for different different materials for different

pesticidespesticides))• Neoprene, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), butyl Neoprene, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), butyl

rubberrubber• Latex gloves? Latex gloves? • Chemical Resistance Categories (A-H)Chemical Resistance Categories (A-H)

– Type of pesticideType of pesticide ( (formulation, diluents, solventsformulation, diluents, solvents))– Length of exposureLength of exposure ( (nothing lasts forever!)nothing lasts forever!)

• How quickly does your PPE become damaged?How quickly does your PPE become damaged?• Do you carry extras?!Do you carry extras?!

(no: latex rubber has natural pores, (no: latex rubber has natural pores, often lined)often lined)

GlovesGloves

• Chemical resistantChemical resistant• UnlinedUnlined• Check for leaksCheck for leaks• Wash your gloves on the Wash your gloves on the

outside before removing them.outside before removing them.• Wear outside or inside of your Wear outside or inside of your

long sleeved shirt?long sleeved shirt?

Coveralls, Aprons, Coveralls, Aprons, RaincoatsRaincoats

• Coveralls should be made of sturdy Coveralls should be made of sturdy material such as cotton, polyester, material such as cotton, polyester, cotton-synthetic blend, or denim.cotton-synthetic blend, or denim.

• Aprons used while mixing and Aprons used while mixing and loading to protect against spills loading to protect against spills and splashes of concentrates.and splashes of concentrates.

• A rainsuit should be worn A rainsuit should be worn whenever mist or spray drift is whenever mist or spray drift is likely that would wet the coveralls.likely that would wet the coveralls.

HatsHats

• Protective head coverings should be:Protective head coverings should be:– Liquid proofLiquid proof– Wide brim to protect face, ears and Wide brim to protect face, ears and

neckneck– Easily cleaned with soap and waterEasily cleaned with soap and water– No absorbent materialNo absorbent material

BootBootss• Unlined

• Rubber

• NO leather, canvas or cloth

• Pant legs on the outside to prevent pestiside from running down into the boot

Goggles and Goggles and

Face Face ShieldsShields• Tight fitting, non-fogging

goggles

• Goggles with indirect ventilation

• Wash often – especially if goggles have headbands made of absorbent material

• Full face shield

RespiratorsRespirators• Approved by National Institute Approved by National Institute

of Occupational Safety and Health of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)(NIOSH)

• Proper fitProper fit• Clean regularlyClean regularly• No not store with pesticidesNo not store with pesticides• Store in a clean, dry and tightly sealed Store in a clean, dry and tightly sealed

plastic bagplastic bag

Laundering Laundering Pesticide Pesticide Contaminated Contaminated ClothingClothing• All PPE should be washed at the end of All PPE should be washed at the end of

each dayeach day• Store and separate from family laundryStore and separate from family laundry• Heavy duty liquid detergents are bestHeavy duty liquid detergents are best• Never use bleach or ammoniaNever use bleach or ammonia• Full load – Hot waterFull load – Hot water• Line dryLine dry

Personal Care Personal Care After After ApplicationApplication• After cleaning PPEAfter cleaning PPE• Wash hands and face before Wash hands and face before

eating, drinking or smokingeating, drinking or smoking• ShowerShower• Be sure to scrub your scalp, neck, Be sure to scrub your scalp, neck,

behind ears and under fingernailsbehind ears and under fingernails• Change into clean clothingChange into clean clothing

Emergency ! Emergency ! SPILLSSPILLS * * INJURIESINJURIES * * POISONINGPOISONINGPersonal Decontamination SuppliesPersonal Decontamination Supplies::

clean waterclean water paper towelspaper towels extra coverallsextra coveralls

First Aid EquipmentFirst Aid Equipment::

well stocked first aid kitwell stocked first aid kit plastic eye washplastic eye wash

Spill Cleanup EquipmentSpill Cleanup Equipment::

plastic bags, shovel, dust pan, plastic bags, shovel, dust pan, kitty litter, kitty litter, absorbent containment materials absorbent containment materials

TransportatiTransportationonCarry a spill kitCarry a spill kit

Containers should be undamaged Containers should be undamaged and have readable labelsand have readable labels

NEVER carry pesticides in NEVER carry pesticides in passenger areaspassenger areas

NEVER leave your vehicle NEVER leave your vehicle unattended with pesticide storage unattended with pesticide storage unlockedunlocked

Thank You!Thank You!