The document provides guidance on safety practices for handling pesticides and chemicals on farms, including how to properly use and store pesticides, recommendations for personal protective equipment, signs and treatment of pesticide poisoning, and tips for assembling a farm emergency and first aid kit. Proper safety equipment and understanding pesticide hazards are emphasized as important for preventing injury and illness from chemical exposure.

2. Kitchen Gardening ( IPM)
A Series of Lectures
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK , Provincial
Project Director CMP II MINFAl Islamabad and
Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture
Peshawar Pakistan

3. Safety First: Where to begin
• Read the label
• Understand the hazard symbol
• Use the appropriate safety equipment
• If more information is needed
• obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet
• contact an agricultural extension officer
• contact the manufacturer representative
• Keep 5 gallons of clean water
• at the mixing site
• on the sprayer

4. Classification of Herbicides,Classification of Herbicides,
Fungicides, and InsecticidesFungicides, and Insecticides
Are classified according to the use hazard and risk involved
The categories of hazard are:
Toxicity / Poison Explosive Potential Flammability Corrosive
The categories of risks are:
Danger Warning Caution

5. Toxicity of pesticides!Toxicity of pesticides!
• The LD50 refers to the dose of pesticide (in mg per kg of the test
animal’s body weight) that is lethal to 50 % of the group of test
animals.
– Example: If a pesticide has an LD50 value of 10mg/kg, and the test animals
each weight 1kg, then 50 % of the animals will die if they each ate 10 mg
of the pesticide
• Oral LD50 values as they relate to the Risk / Hazard Symbols
Danger Poison: LD50 less than 500 mg/kg indicates high toxicity
Caution Poison: LD50 1000-2500 mg/kg indicates low toxicity

6. How Chemicals enter the body
1. Absorption
• Through skin, eyes, ear canals
• Most vulnerable areas
• eye
• groin area
• absorbs 10x faster than forearm
• 95% absorb through skin
Body Part Amount Absorbed
Eye 100%
Groin area 100%
Ear canal 47%
Scalp 32%
Abdomen 19%
Foot 14%
Palm of hand 12%
Forearm 9%

7. How Chemicals enter the body
(Continue)
2. Inhalation
• Breathing in dusts, mists, fumes
3. Ingestion
• Through the mouth
• smoking, eating, licking lips, blowing out nozzles
4. Injection
• By veterinary needles, staples, nails,
• High pressure fluids forced under the skin

8. Special Precautions when handling chemicals:
1. Be aware of children
2. Take protective clothing to the field
3. Best to use layers of clothing
4. Wear a water resistant hat - no baseball caps or leather hats
5. Wash clothes daily
6. Wash your hands before eating, smoking, using bathroom

9. Special Precautions when handling chemicals:
(Continue)
7. Choose a lapped zipper coverall
8. Wear tightly woven clothing
9. Always pull sleeves over gloves & pants legs over rubber boots
10. Store personal protective equipment outside a chemical storage
area
11. Don’t wear contact lenses - absorb chemical fumes
12. Shower immediately after spraying - put on clean clothes
Unsafe
Practices

10. Personal Protective Equipment
• Gloves (unlined rubber or neoprene)
• Goggles or Face Shield (rubber or plastic strap)
• Ear muffs (protects the ear canal from splashes)
• Rubber steel toe boots (knee length and unlined)
• Hat (water resistant)
• Apron (protects the vulnerable groin area)
• Coveralls (cloth or disposable)
• Respirators (NIOSH approved)

11. Pesticide Poisoning
• Occurs depending on the level of exposure to chemicals
• When proper safety equipment is not worn
• Cholinesterase levels are low
– Cholinesterase is an enzyme in the body essential for the proper
functioning of the central nervous system
– Insecticides (organophosphates, carbamates) bind to cholinesterase
• Once symptoms occurs, avoid insecticides
• Don’t use the insecticides again until cholinesterase
levels are normal

12. Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning
1. Headache 12. Diarrhea
2. Fatigue 13. Vomiting
3. Excessive sweating 14. Twitching of eyelids
4. Muscle weakness 15. Joint and muscle pain
5. Nervousness 16. Slow heart rate
6. Nausea 17. Constricted pupils
7. Blurring of vision 18. General muscle twitching
8. Excessive salivation 19. Loss of bladder and bowel control
9. Tightness in chest 20. Convulsion
10. Difficulty breathing 21. Coma
11. Confusion 22. Respiratory failure

13. Spill Response
1. Check the label for recommended spill clean up
2. Use absorbent materials (kitty litter, sawdust, sand) to absorb
chemical
3. Shovel: to be used only for spill cleanup
4. Plastic tarps or bags - to enclose absorbent material

14. Chemical Storage
1. Store in locked and well marked areas
2. Away from human and animal feed
3. At least 150 feet from wells
4. At least 200 feet from surface water
5. Store in original containers
ie. transfer chemical name & safety information from label

15. Chemical Storage
6. Never store in beverage containers
7. Away from children’s play and farm animal areas
8. Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand
9. Keep personal protective equipment separated

16. First Aid Kit:
1. Keep a small first aid kit in all vehicles
2. Larger first aid kit should be kept at home and machinery shop
3. Check the kit regularly to ensure all contents are replenished,
sealed and usable

17. “In case of an emergency contact a
Doctor or a Poison Control Centre”
Poison Control Centres
Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 787-2591
Regina, Saskatchewan (306) 766-4545
toll free 1-800-667-4545
Calgary, Alberta (403) 670-1414
toll free 1-800-332-1414
Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres
1-800-267-1373

18. Personal Protective Equipment
• Head Protection
• Eye Safety
• Respiratory Protection
• Hearing Protection
• Hand Protection
• Body Coverings
• Foot Protection
• First Aid

19. Head Protection
Hard hats
• Prevents many on-farm injuries
- impacts, falling or flying objects
* cutting or trimming trees
* blasting repairs in enclosed places with low ceiling
* electrical work
* working with chemicals
- best head protection
• don’t wear baseball caps
(cotton baseball caps absorb chemicals)

20. Eye Safety
You need eye protection when:
• handling or applying pesticides
• working in dust, chaff or other flying particles
• working around trees
• specially under low hanging branches
• working in the workshop
• drilling
• grinding
• sawing or lathing

21. Eye Safety
(continued)
1. Safety glasses
• can be fitted with prescription and non-prescription lenses
• side shields can be attached to the frames
2. Goggles
• gives front and side protection
• fit over street glasses
3. Clear plastic face shields
• best protection against
• chemical splashes
• flying particles
• unexpected heavy impacts

22. Basic Eye First Aid
Depends upon the type of injury sustained:
• let natural tears wash out specks in the eye
• don’t rub the eye, if possible
1. Blows to the eye
• apply cold compresses for 15 minutes
• reduce pain and swelling
• if discoloration
• see a physician

23. Basic Eye First Aid
(continued)
2. Cut and Punctures to the Eye
• bandage the eye lightly
• see a physician at once
3. Chemical Burns to the Eye
• have fresh water available for washing the eyes
• continuously flush with water for about 15 minutes
• don’t apply anything else
• see a physician
• take the container or label of the chemical involved

24. Respiratory Protection
“The respirator must be selected
for the specific contaminant(s)
and it must fit properly”
Type of hazards
1. Particulates
2. Gases
3. Vapors
“respirators must be NIOSH
(National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health) approved”

25. Particulates
Are particles of solid material and droplets of liquids that can be easily
filtered from the air
1. Dusts and mists
• present in the air
• carried by wind for a considerable distance
- may be small enough to be carried deep into the lungs
- they may be toxic and carry bacteria and fungi with them
* grain and feed dust
* mold
* silica dust
* pesticides
“Mechanical filter respirators
approved for toxic dusts and mists
provide adequate protection”

26. Particulates
(continued)
2. Asbestos-containing dusts
• Harmful - sharp asbestos fibers can penetrate lung cells
- lung cancer could result from asbestos exposure
3. Fumes
• Solid particles of burned or evaporated metal
- clump together to form smaller particles than dusts and mists
(welding fumes are the most common fumes on the farm)
“mechanical filter respirators with approval
for asbestos-containing dusts are required”
“mechanical filter respirators with
approval for fumes must be used”

27. Gases
1. Toxic gases (one breath can cause instant respiratory arrest and death)
• Hydrogen sulfide (manure gas)
• Nitrogen dioxide (silo gas)
2. Irritant gases (exposure cause burns and irritation to body tissues)
• Ammonia (anhydrous ammonia)
3. Poisonous gases (causes death by asphyxiation, absorbed by blood 200x more
readily than oxygen)
• Carbon monoxide
“use only respirators approved for the toxic gases
and concentrations that will be encountered”

28. Common Vapors on the Farm
Organic vapors
• Solvents
• Pesticides
• Lacquer thinner
• Spray painting
• Adhesives
• Gasoline
“Mechanical filter respirators will trap the
particles, but the vapors will still enter the body”
“Chemical cartridge respirators must be used to
remove vapors from the air”
“Cartridges approved for organic vapors are
color coded with a black band or label”

29. Hearing Protection
Over exposure to high levels of noise
• damage your hearing
• aggravates fatigue and stress
• major cause of accidents on the farm
Noise production on the farm are cause by
• farm machinery
• chain saws
• power mowers
• blowers
• conveyors
• hogs screaming at feeding time

30. Types of hearing protection
1. Formable plug (a)
- compressed prior to insertion, expandable to provide snug fit
2. Premolded plug (b)
- flexible material performed to fit the ear, have a joining cored to prevent loss
3. Earmuffs (c)
- adjustable head band with rigid cups and cushions that seal around the ear
“do not use cotton balls, they don’t reduce the
damaging sound levels”
“if noise can drown out a person speaking to you
from arm’s length, you need hearing protection”

31. Sound intensity is measured in decibels
• 90 decibels (dB) is the loudest sound that workers should be
exposed to for 8 hours or more
• farmers work longer than 8 hr/day during the crop production
season
- should be exposed to less than 90 dB at any given time
- need ear protection

32. Hand Protection
Gloves protects the hands from:
• rough or sharp-edged objects
• chemicals
• dirt
• greases
• solvents
• fuels
• paint
The best method to protect the hands
and prevent dermatitis;
thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water
and dry them with a single-use towel (if possible)

33. Type of Gloves
1. Fabric
- inexpensive and suitable for many tasks, breath well, minimizes
perspiration buildup
- could be laundered to extend its life
- protects from minor cuts and scrapes
2. Leather
- best choice for protection
- protects from cuts, scrapes, friction and other hazards
- inexpensive, breathable, tough and flexible
- treat with leather care product (mink oil) to extend its life

34. Type of Gloves
(continued)
3. Rubber
- protects from the use of chemicals on the farm, shop, and at home
- choose the appropriate rubber glove material for the task
* butyl ………. used to work with gases and vapors
* neoprene ….. used to work with chemicals
* nitrile ……... used to work with solvents, harsh fats, and petroleum
- while still on, wash with warm water and soap, hang to dry
4. Cut-resistant
- protects from handling glass and sharp objects

35. Body Covering
1. Leather aprons
- used when welding to prevent burns from splattering molten metal and
slag
2. Rubber aprons
- needed when handling liquids or concentrated chemicals
- wear them even if other protective clothing is worn
* protects the groin area from chemical splashes
• this area absorbs chemical 10x faster than through the forearm
3. Chain saw safety chaps
- minimize the risk of cutting the legs
- when handling square bales
* reduce the number of scratches and scrapes on the legs

36. Body Covering
(Continued)
4. Chemical resistant coveralls
- Standard tyvek
* non porous, provides excellent protection from pesticide dusts and mists
* splashes of liquid may penetrate the fabrics, still wear a rubber apron
- Polylaminated Tyvek
* features a plastic film bonded fabric, provides a tougher, more liquid resistant
* resist tearing better than standard tyvek, are good emergency rain suit
- Perforated Tyvek
* not recommended for pesticide application
* excellent for dirty tasks; equipment maintenance, painting, insulating

37. Foot Protection
1. Steel toed safety shoes protects you from:
- sharp objects
- dropped heavy objects
- heavy livestock stepping on your feet
2. Steel toed rubber boots protects you from:
- exposure to hazardous chemicals
- getting your feet wet involving prolonged contact with water

38. Cleaning Protective Equipment
While wearing your gloves wash your equipment
• Use hot and soapy water then rinse and dry
– Hard hats
– Goggles
– Face shield
– Gloves
– Aprons
– Boots
• Wash your respirator facepiece only
– Before cleaning - remove the cartridges
– Wash the respirator in warm soapy water, rinse and air-dry
– Check seals and valves for signs of damage and wear
– Stored the respirator and cartridge in a sealed plastic bag

39. CSA approved safety equipmentCSA approved safety equipment
could be purchase at:could be purchase at:
1. Implement dealerships
2. Farm supply stores
3. Safety supply companies
4. Pharmacies
5. Agriculture chemical dealers
6. Hardware stores
Check the yellow pages under
SAFETY EQUIP & CLOTHING

40. In case of an accident!
• Know what to do, stay calm
• Be aware of symptoms of pesticide poisoning
– Remove patient and contaminated clothing
– Follow treatment from label
– Call Poison Control Centre (204) 787-2591
• family doctor or 911
– Maintain records of pesticide use
• bring these records to doctor for verification
• If severe symptoms
– provide atropine tablets (1 - 100 grams)
– If necessary, give artificial respiration
• Keep a shock victim covered to reduce heat loss
• Transport victim to nearest hospital

41. Preparation to put together a farm
emergency/ first aid kit
1. Get appropriate first aid training
- renew it periodically
2. Don’t rely upon day-to-day minor injuries
- select items to help you handle major traumas
3. Pack items for individual needs
- personal medical information and supplies
- name and telephone numbers of the family doctors

42. Preparation to put together a farm
emergency/ first aid kit
(continued)
4. Always include emergency telephone numbers
5. Pack Red Cross manual of first aid chart
6. Check first aid kit every three months
- re-stock if necessary
7. Label all first aid kits

43. Preparation to put together a farm
Emergency/ First Aid kit
(continued)
8. Remember communication and heat
- if caught in the dark; flashlight, matches, and flares
- flashlight - helps to signal for help
- waterproof matches - generates heat
- flares - generates heat and signal for help

45. What to pack in your first aid kit?What to pack in your first aid kit?
For more information visit the NASD (National Ag Safety Database)
(National Ag Safety Database)
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/topic/firstaid.html
For emergencies call: 911
Poison Control Center: Winnipeg (204) 787-2591
Regina (306) 766-4545
Toll free 1-800-667-4545
Manitoba Environment: Spills 944-4888