This document provides several practical solutions for pesticide safety, including for mixing and loading pesticides, pesticide application and drift reduction, decontamination, emergency response, pesticide storage, and reducing family exposure. Some highlighted solutions include using a metal mixing table, splash shields, pre-marked measuring containers, a nurse tank for mixing, side-view mirrors on application vehicles, flaggers on public roads, a rinsate containment system, scrub brushes and pressure washers for decontamination, sloping cement pads, double locker systems, and stocking emergency response supplies in resealable bags. The document emphasizes the importance of proper safety procedures and equipment to reduce pesticide exposure for handlers and bystanders.

1. PRACTICAL
SOLUTIONS
FOR
PESTICIDE SAFETY
Eric Stormer
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Norfolk, Virginia

2. MIXING & LOADING
Research shows that on average, handlers who mix and load pesticides have
higher levels of pesticide exposure than those who do not.
(PNASH, Keifer, 2011)

3. SOLUTION:
METAL MIXING TABLE
• Expanded metal top; can’t
absorb chemicals
• Height reduces bending
movement; easier to work
• Easy disposal of spilled
material
• Prevent back injuries
• Reduce face splash with
chemicals
4’ X 4’ X 32”

5. SOLUTION:
PESTICIDE TRAILER WITH
MIXING TABLE
• Attach table to side
of trailer with
hinges and chains
• Add secure hooks
to keep table
folded up when
moving trailer
• Level table before
using
Expanded metal table
Metal back
splash

6. SOLUTION: SPLASH SHIELD
• Plexiglass provides
additional barrier from
pesticide splashes
• Shield height is
adjustable
• Use clamps to anchor
frame
• Add a clip to hold
“recipes”

7. SOLUTION: PRE-MARKED
MEASURING CONTAINERS
• Use clear pitchers
• Mark desired volume
with permanent ink
• Use black ink, as some
handlers may be color
blind
• Label containers, “for
pesticide use only’
• Decontaminate after
each use
• Check markings
regularly

8. SOLUTION: NURSE TANK
• Mix pesticides in one large
tank, and deliver to
individual sprayers on job
site
• Only one mixer/loader
required; reduce mixing
error, and increase
efficiency
• Cost effective for large scale
application

9. PESTICIDE APPLICATION
AND
DRIFT REDUCTION
Pesticide drift is the leading cause of overexposure for
bystanders and agriculture workers in Washington state
(Washington state Department of Health, 2010)

10. SOLUTION:
THERMO-WIND METER
• Determine temperature and
wind speed to assess
conditions for spraying
• Where clean gloves when
using device to avoid
contamination
• Store in dry, clean place

11. SOLUTION:
CONVEX SIDE-VIEW
MIRROR ON VEHICLE
• Mirrors help applicators
view the spray pattern and
nozzle function
• Avoid neck strain from
checking for clogged
nozzles
• Avoid visibility problems
from PPE hood
Mirror

12. SOLUTION:
FLAGGER ON PUBLIC ROADS
• Flagger stands off to side of
road, and alerts applicator
when a vehicle is
approaching, and when it
has passed.
• Flagger is trained to use
needed signals (“stop” and
“go”)
• Flagger is pesticide handler,
wearing PPE as appropriate

13. FLAGGER ON PUBLIC ROADS
Sprayer
Road shoulder
Approaching car
500 FT.
Flagger

14. DECONTAMINATION
Decontamination is necessary to prevent pesticide handlers,
other employees, and families from being exposed. Pesticide
residues are easily transferred and distributed.

15. SOLUTION:
RINSATE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM
• System captures rinsate
from application
equipment
decontamination
• Decontamination takes
place over a cement pad
that drains into a
shallow, steel grate
covered reservoir
• Rinsate is transferred to a
labeled application site

16. SOLUTION:
SCRUB BRUSH & PRESSURE WASHER
• Use both a scrub brush and
pressure washer for cleaning
sprayers and vehicles
• Thorough cleaning with scrub
brushes provide better overall
decontamination
• Where proper PPE required by
pesticide label
• Use soap and water with brush
• Rinse with pressure washer

17. DECONTAMINATION
Scrub brush and soap. Pressure washer alone.

18. SOLUTION:
PRE-WASHING PPE IN PAIRS
• Applicators take turns pre-
washing each other suits,
boots, and gloves while they
are still wearing PPE
• Use soap, water, and a scrub
brush
• Rise with hose or under
outside shower if available
• Practice should be voluntary,
since some handlers may be
uncomfortable pre-washing in
pairs

19. SOLUTION:
PORTABLE SINK
• PPE cleaning is easier
• Smaller items easily soaked,
cleaned
• Set up in an area with good
drainage
• Use hose for drainage
• Use soap and plastic scrub
brushes

20. SOLUTION:
SLOPING CEMENT PAD
• Hard surface used for PPE
decontamination
• Handlers avoid bending,
and water can drain away
from handler
• Install gravel around
cement pad for drainage
• Include drainage trough at
bottom
• Add raised edge to avoid
splashing

21. SOLUTION:
DOUBLE LOCKER SYSTEM
• Use double lockers to avoid
cross-contamination between
street clothes from PPE
• Lockers are separated in
separate rooms or areas to
reduce unintentional exposure
to family members
• Assign separate lockers for
each handler
• Clean lockers with damp
cloths. Dusting increases
potential for pesticide residue
exposure

22. EMERGENCY & SANITATION
FACILITIES
Workplace investigations often find that an emergency
eyewash station is mission. Make sure there is an eyewash
station in place and that each applicator has immediate access
to a personal emergency eyewash.

23. EMERGENCY AND
SANITATION FACILITIES
• Develop an emergency response plan.
• Train handlers on the emergency response plan and use of
emergency equipment.
• Conduct mock emergency drills to practice and reinforce
understanding of procedures and equipment. In a real
emergency, fast action is needed; there is not time to read a
manual.
• Maintain equipment according to manufacturer instruction.
• Test equipment routinely to ensure it meets regulatory
requirements

24. SOLUTION:
EMERGENCY DECONTAMINATION
FACILITIES
• All in one station should
have equipment and
supplies to provide first aid
in case pesticide gets on the
body, splashes in eyes, or
soaks clothing.
• Provide soap, water and
towels for hand washing
• Provide emergency
clothing, and emergency
• Stations may be mounted
on a trailer to be moved

25. EMERGENCY
DECONTAMINATION
Stationary station with water
lines. Water is supplied to sink and shower
by gravity. Station provides privacy
for user.

26. EMERGENCY
DECONTAMINATION
• Water pressure is provided
by a 12 volt battery
powered pump carried on
board, along with a water
tank.

27. SOLUTION:
AMMUNITION BOX TO STORE
EMERGENCY EYEWASH
• Box offers clean storage and
protection for eyewash bottle
• Readily available, and easy to
open in emergency
• Purchase wide, shallow boxes
for handlers with large hands
to reach inside
• Label box “emergency
eyewash only”
• Check regularly to ensure that
bottle is full, and sealed

28. SOLUTION:
EMERGENCY PPE & SUPPLIES
IN RESEALABLE BAG
Stock with:
• thin and thick nitrile gloves
• Chemical resistant boot covers,
to keep boots clean
• Emergency eyewash
• Respirator cartridges
• Extra nozzles
• Earplugs
• Chemical resistant goggles
• Clean PPE suit
• Garbage bag for contaminated
PPE

29. SOLUTION:
EMERGENCY PPE & SUPPLIES
IN RESEALABLE BAG
• Alternatively, use a small
container with a tight fitting
lid for supplies
• Do not mix clean and
contaminated supplies

30. PESTICIDE STORAGE FACILITIES
Manage pesticide inventory to control costs, protect workers,
the community, and families.

31. PESTICIDE STORAGE
• Add a containment system or berm to contain leaks and
spills.
• Lock pesticides in a legal storage area that meets
regulations.
• Keep chemicals cool in summer, and don’t let them freeze in
winter.
• Manage inventory to minimize on-site storage.
• Use up open containers if possible.
• Return unopened material to vendor at end of season.

32. EMPTY PESTICIDE
CONTAINER STORAGE
Proper storage. Improper storage.

33. SOLUTION:
MINIMIZE PESTICIDES IN STORAGE
• Use oldest products first
• Dispose of old and phased-out
produces as hazardous waste
• Communicate with other
companies to use up partially
used product, or product you
no longer have a use for
• Manage inventory. Purchase
only what is needed for the
season
• Return unopened product to
supplier at end of season
• Safely store partially used
product for next season
• Write purchase dates on
removable stickers, and place
on containers to help with
tracking; dealers will not
accept returns if you write
directly on containers

34. SOLUTION:
CONTAINMENT TRAYS & TUBS
• Use trays and tubs to separate
liquid chemicals from dry
chemicals, and to contain spills
• Store dry chemicals over liquid
chemicals
• Store heavier containers on
lower shelves
• Use shelves made of non-
absorbent material
• Select trays/tubs compatible
with, and large enough to
hold, chemicals
• Dispose of spilled product as
hazardous waste

35. REDUCING FAMILY EXPOSURE
Workplace chemicals belong at work. They can be taken home
via a car, skin, clothing, and hair.

36. REDUCING FAMILY EXPOSURE
• Do not transport PPE or pesticides in personal vehicles.
• Leave work boots at work, or at least, outside the house.
• Store and launder dirty work clothes at work, if possible. If
not, wash them separately from family laundry.
• Shower at work before going home, or immediately after you
go home.

37. Unintentional Work-to-Home Transfer of Pesticide Residue

38. SOLUTION:
DEDICATED VEHICLE FOR HANDLERS
• Handlers use vehicle for
work only
• Only handlers use vehicle
• Use vehicles with plastic
seats and rubber foot wells
for ease of cleaning
• Provide handlers who use
personal vehicles the time
and supplies to wash and
vacuum their vehicles at
work before going home

39. SOLUTION:
VACUUM STATION FOR VEHICLES
• Station provides vacuum
cleaner at worksite to clean
commute vehicles
• Employees clean vehicle
regularly to prevent
pesticide residues from
building up inside vehicles
• Assign workers different
days to clean vehicles
• Provide reminder stickers

40. SOLUTION: BOOT BIN
• Use plastic or rubber bin
with lid to store boots in
trunks of personal vehicles
• Street shoes are stored
separately
• Put warning labels on bins
• Clean bins regularly,
wearing chemical resistant
gloves
• Leave open to dry if needed

41. SOLUTION:
WORK COVERALLS
• Coveralls protect work clothes
from accumulating pesticide
residues, and can reduce
transfer of residues
• Wearing coveralls under PPE
reduces chances that work
clothes or skin could be
contaminated with pesticides
• Contract with commercial
laundry service, or provide
laundry facilities
• Designate changing area
• Ensure work clothes are not
taken home

42. QUESTIONS?