Podcast
Podcast
Podcast
Something went wrong
Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
What factor most significantly contributes to the degradation of pesticides by microorganisms in the soil?
What factor most significantly contributes to the degradation of pesticides by microorganisms in the soil?
- Sandy soil composition restricts microbial habitats.
- High soil acidity inhibits microbial activity.
- Excessive soil compaction reduces microbial access to pesticides.
- Soils that are warm, moist, aerated, and fertile promote microbial breakdown. (correct)
How does the volatility of a pesticide primarily affect environmental safety and application effectiveness?
How does the volatility of a pesticide primarily affect environmental safety and application effectiveness?
- Volatility improves the pesticide's adhesion to plant surfaces, ensuring better coverage and pest control.
- Volatility decreases the pesticide's persistence in the soil, reducing its long-term environmental impact.
- High volatility can lead to off-target movement, affecting unintended areas and reducing on-site control. (correct)
- Volatility increases the pesticide's solubility in water, enhancing its effectiveness in aquatic environments.
When applying herbicides, what strategy minimizes the risk of lateral movement in areas prone to water erosion?
When applying herbicides, what strategy minimizes the risk of lateral movement in areas prone to water erosion?
- Applying herbicides during heavy rainfall events to ensure deep soil penetration.
- Applying herbicides only on steep slopes to prevent accumulation in lower areas.
- Applying herbicides in light showers to help move the herbicide into the soil, reducing surface runoff. (correct)
- Using soil-active herbicides on saturated soil to maximize root absorption.
What is the primary reason for concern regarding herbicides infiltrating water wells, especially near rights-of-way?
What is the primary reason for concern regarding herbicides infiltrating water wells, especially near rights-of-way?
What steps should be taken to prevent back-siphoning during roadside pesticide loading and mixing operations?
What steps should be taken to prevent back-siphoning during roadside pesticide loading and mixing operations?
In the context of herbicide application, what is 'backflash' and why is it a concern?
In the context of herbicide application, what is 'backflash' and why is it a concern?
What immediate action should be taken if pesticide spray contaminates a person's skin?
What immediate action should be taken if pesticide spray contaminates a person's skin?
Why should clothing contaminated with herbicides be handled separately from family laundry?
Why should clothing contaminated with herbicides be handled separately from family laundry?
What is the appropriate first aid response for herbicide contamination in the eyes?
What is the appropriate first aid response for herbicide contamination in the eyes?
What is the primary purpose of wearing safety glasses or goggles during herbicide application?
What is the primary purpose of wearing safety glasses or goggles during herbicide application?
Why are fabric-lined gloves not recommended for handling herbicides?
Why are fabric-lined gloves not recommended for handling herbicides?
In addition to protective clothing, what safety practice is crucial for minimizing inhalation exposure when mixing wettable powder herbicides?
In addition to protective clothing, what safety practice is crucial for minimizing inhalation exposure when mixing wettable powder herbicides?
What role do biofilters serve in mitigating the environmental impact of herbicide application near water bodies?
What role do biofilters serve in mitigating the environmental impact of herbicide application near water bodies?
What should applicators be aware of to minimize off-site exposure from highway spraying?
What should applicators be aware of to minimize off-site exposure from highway spraying?
Why is it important to avoid sudden movements when operating a tractor on a slope?
Why is it important to avoid sudden movements when operating a tractor on a slope?
Which factor determines how long a pesticide remains effective after application?
Which factor determines how long a pesticide remains effective after application?
What is the definition of persistence?
What is the definition of persistence?
Which of the following is a common cause of groundwater contamination?
Which of the following is a common cause of groundwater contamination?
What best describes leaching?
What best describes leaching?
What are the three main causes for which groundwater becomes contaminated?
What are the three main causes for which groundwater becomes contaminated?
Questions and Answers
Something went wrong
Flashcards
Flashcards
Adsorption
Adsorption
The binding of a chemical to surfaces of mineral or soil particles.
Backflash
Backflash
The uptake of herbicide by untreated trees adjacent to treated trees.
Back-Siphoning
Back-Siphoning
The accidental movement of liquid pesticide back through the filling hose and into the water source. Also called backflow.
Biofilter
Biofilter
Signup and view all the flashcards
Degradation
Degradation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Environment
Environment
Signup and view all the flashcards
Groundwater
Groundwater
Signup and view all the flashcards
Leaching
Leaching
Signup and view all the flashcards
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Signup and view all the flashcards
Persistence
Persistence
Signup and view all the flashcards
Point Source Pollution
Point Source Pollution
Signup and view all the flashcards
Recharge
Recharge
Signup and view all the flashcards
Residual Control
Residual Control
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sinkhole
Sinkhole
Signup and view all the flashcards
Solubility
Solubility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Volatility
Volatility
Signup and view all the flashcards
Drift
Drift
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pesticide Persistence
Pesticide Persistence
Signup and view all the flashcards
Microbial Degradation
Microbial Degradation
Signup and view all the flashcards
LD50
LD50
Signup and view all the flashcards
Flashcards
Something went wrong
Study Notes
Study Notes
Safety Considerations
- Focus is placed on the environmental and personal risks associated with using pesticides and methods to minimize the risks of pesticide overexposure for both the applicator and the environment.
- Outlined are steps applicators take to protect against pesticide poisoning, how pesticides can escape into the environment, and affect people, animals, and nearby water sources.
- Guidelines on mechanical safety and common-sense precautions are included.
- Consult the Virginia Core Manual, Applying Pesticides Correctly, Unit 8 (Personal Protective Equipment) for more information on personal protective equipment and first aid for pesticide applicators.
Terms to know
- Adsorption is the binding of a chemical to surfaces of mineral or soil particles.
- Backflash is the uptake of herbicide by untreated trees adjacent to treated trees.
- Back-siphoning, also called backflow, refers to the accidental movement of liquid pesticide back through the filling hose and into the water source.
- Biofilter refers to an untreated area of vegetation between a treated area and a sensitive area such as a stream or crop.
- Degradation means the breakdown or decomposition of a pesticide or other substance.
- The environment constitutes all physical, chemical, and biological surroundings such as climate, soil, water, air, and living organisms.
- Groundwater is water beneath the surface of the earth in soil or rock that collects in pore spaces among silt, sand, gravel, or rock.
- Leaching refers to the movement of pesticide in water downward through soil.
- Nonpoint source pollution refers to contamination that comes from a wide, or diffuse, area.
- Persistence is the ability of a pesticide to remain as an effective residue because of low mobility and chemical stability and be long-lasting.
- Point source pollution refers to contamination that comes from a specific, identifiable place (point).
- Recharge is the inflow of surface water to a groundwater reservoir that maintains the water level of that reservoir.
- Residual control is the ability of a pesticide to remain active and control weeds effectively for a certain period following application.
- A sinkhole is a depression that forms on the surface of the ground when the roof of a cavern collapses, and is often found in karst (limestone) topography.
- Solubility refers to the ability to be dissolved in another substance, usually a liquid.
- Volatility is the state of evaporating rapidly or turning easily into a gas or vapor that also refers to the evaporation and movement of pesticide vapors after application.
Environmental concerns
- Demands increase for pure water, clean air, and a non-polluted environment as the population grows.
- Pesticides are one group of the many chemicals blamed for environmental abuse.
Pesticide fate
- A pesticide begins to transform as soon as it enters the environment through various processes:
- Distribution
- Movement
- Persistence (residual effect) in the soil
- Eventual degradation
- Pesticide product may never reach its intended destination because of drift, volatility, or misapplication.
Pesticide movement and residual control
- A pesticide released onto a target site may move around in a number of ways, like by wind or water transporting it from foliage to soil
- A pesticide may volatilize (turn into a vapor) from plant or soil surfaces
- A pesticide may leach through the soil, or it may be carried laterally by surface water runoff or through soil erosion
- Much of the pesticide ends up in soil, and trace amounts may find their way into surface waters or groundwater
- Persistence depends on its adsorption (attachment to soil particles), solubility (ability to dissolve), volatility, and eventual degradation (breakdown)
- A pesticide with residual activity may provide long-term control of the target pest but may become a harmful residue and damage nontarget plants
Degradation
- The degradation of pesticides is the beneficial process that removes pesticide residues from the environment through:
- Microbial degradation
- Photodegradation
- Microorganisms in the soil such as fungi and bacteria consume pesticides, which breaks down the chemicals
- Microbial degradation works best when the soil is warm, moist, aerated, and fertile
- Sunlight gradually breaks down the pesticide through photodegradation
- When a pesticide degrades, it changes chemically, and usually breaks down into nontoxic compounds with all pesticides degrading with some remaining in the environment for years, but none will remain forever.
Drift
- Drift is the airborne movement of a pesticide beyond the target site when small spray particles or vapor are carried on air currents off-target
- Wayward chemicals may injure or kill nontarget plants that make pesticide drift an undesirable, troublesome, and costly problem
- Applying a pesticide that drifts off-target may result in a lawsuit so drift control is the responsibility of you and your crew.
- Follow label directions concerning wind speed and use application techniques, mechanical devices, or drift control agents to reduce drift.
- Drift increases as the distance from the spray nozzle to the target increases, as droplet or particle size decreases, and as wind speed increases, so minimize drift by:
- Spraying at low pressure
- Use spray tips with narrow discharge angles
- Using the largest practical nozzle openings
- Using additives to increase solution thickness
- Spraying during the calmer parts of the day
- When wind is calmest, typically early morning or early evening, spray if there are sensitive areas downwind such as homes, pastures, water, and crops, or when the wind is not blowing in that direction
- Ultimately, use good judgment and stop treatments when conditions are poor
Volatility
- Volatility is the evaporation and movement of pesticide vapors after application when the active ingredient within the pesticide changes from a liquid to a gas (vapor)
- The pesticide can move great distances and injure sensitive plants and animals like drift
- Illegally, volatility may contribute to residues that may spoil neighboring food crops
- Take steps to avoid volatility and its associated problems by:
- Choosing amine formulations whenever possible nonvolatile
- Spraying during the coolest part of the day
- Avoiding high temperatures and low humidity
- Vapor losses stop or slow down when the herbicide becomes attached to (adsorbs) or penetrates the foliage or soil
- Stone and asphalt surfaces have a relatively great potential for volatility because they become much hotter than the surrounding air temperature, and this is especially true with ester formulations.
Leaching
- Leaching is the movement of herbicides with water downward through the soil depending on soil qualities, water solubility, residual and adsorption properties of the herbicide, and the type and amount of precipitation
- Adsorption and leaching are closely linked so an herbicide is strongly adsorbed to soil particles, it is less likely to leach and is more common in sandy soils.
- The amount of water is critical for soil-active herbicides so too little water may fail to move the herbicide into the root zone of target plants, and too much water may contaminate the root zone of nontarget plants with herbicide thus desired trees or other plants may die or decline when their roots absorb the herbicide
- Excess water may carry the herbicide past the root zone allowing weeds to become established at the soil surface and is a common problem around roadside plantings or where the right-of-way passes through forests.
Lateral movement
- Lateral movement is the displacement of herbicide across the soil surface in flowing water encouraged by compaction caused by road construction as water flows over the treated site, picking up some of the herbicide
- Lateral movement is more severe when heavy rain falls soon after application or when soil-active herbicides have been applied to saturated soil
- Light showers are more likely to move the herbicide into the soil and reduce lateral movement
- Be careful when applying herbicides on moderate to steep slopes, on saturated soils, or on areas that are prone to water erosion
- All soil-active herbicides can move laterally presenting a movement downslope problem around guardrails because the rails are often placed on fill slopes
- Dead plant fingers or scalloped edges will be visible throughout the growing season and perhaps into the next year.
- Treated soils can injure plants if carried off-site by water erosion so use bare-ground treatments with caution in sloping areas
- Most highway applications are on slopes or areas near slopes leading to ditches and/or streams.
Adjacent water and wells
- Many farm families, and rural dwellers who are not farmers, rely on wells (untreated, unmonitored, and located near herbicide-treated fields) and springs for their water supplies.
- Water feeding these wells may contain herbicides that have leached from fields and becomes part of the larger concern about groundwater contamination.
- Herbicides infiltrating water and wells near the right-of-way are mostly a problem in sandy soils and in areas with shallow water tables.
- Sandy soils provide little barrier to herbicides entering nearby water supplies, and herbicides can leach readily through these soils
- Shallow water tables also pose a problem as the herbicide does not have to leach very far to contaminate the groundwater system, which may supply a nearby well
- Sinkholes are another danger as herbicides can flow directly into the underground water system through these hollow places.
Off-Site Plants
- Know which plants are sensitive to the herbicides or plant growth regulators you plan to use
- You may unwittingly injure off-site plants through drift, volatility, runoff, leaching, and wind and water erosion because roadsides are close neighbors to trees, shrubs, and other plants.
Roadside loading and mixing
- Loading and mixing pesticides along the roadside is hazardous because of the potential for contamination when taking water from creeks and ditches.
- Equipments should have a device to avoid back-siphoning (backflow) and to protect the water source, with at least one of the following:
- Maintain an air gap by keeping the filler hose discharge above the water level in the tank
- Use a reduced pressure-principle backflow prevention device
- Install a double-check valve assembly in the filler hose
- Avoid inserting the waterline into the spray tank by using a nurse tank which never carries chemicals on a second vehicle
- Avoid water contamination when filling from streams, lakes, or ponds, and check with local water resource regulatory agencies for any special permits you may need.
- When loading from open water sources, try to keep the water as clean as possible with products tied up by soil particles in the soil, also to be tied up by soil particles in the water
- Make certain the correct valves are opened and closed on sprayers with separate tanks for concentrates and water
- Do not load or mix chemicals next to an open water source with waste disposal
- After loading water, move your vehicle away from the creek or ditch in order to avoid spills into the water
- Do not discard empty containers on the right-of-way. Triple rinse, emptying the rinsate into the tank, and secure them so they will not blow off your truck
- Return them for proper disposal and close chemical containers after each use to prevent spills that even minor spills can injure turf and trees.
Water
- Water is a vitally important resource so extreme caution should be used around all waterways to avoid contamination
- Though, with great care, it is possible to apply herbicides next to open water.
Groundwater
- Groundwater comes from rain, lakes and streams, and irrigation.
- Some of the moisture remains just below the surface of the land, where it can nourish crops and other plants.
- Some of it continues to move downward to the "saturated" zone where void (or pore) spaces among silt, sand, gravel, or rock are completely filled with water
- Water that collects in these spaces is called groundwater which eventually resurfaces, producing springs or feeding into wells, streams, and wetlands
- Groundwater sometimes becomes contaminated with 3 main causes:
- Natural processes (salinity and very hard water)
- Waste disposal (sanitary, industrial, and solid wastes)
- Nonwaste disposal (leaks, spills, and agricultural use)
- Most contamination stems from waste disposal by municipal sewage and septic systems, industrial waste, and landfill leakage. The source of all groundwater is water from the soil surface with other causes of contamination include:
- Herbicides with soil persistence
- Herbicides with high soil mobility
- High degree of recharge (annual rainfall)
- Certain right-of-way regions and pesticide storage areas and filling, and washing sites may easily lead to groundwater contamination if not managed carefully.
Surface Water
- Ponds, and lakes and streams, are especially likely to suffer contamination from many point source and nonpoint source pollution and rainwater or subsurface stormflow
- Surface runoff of herbicides into water is not uncommon. Chemicals can dissolve or be suspended in water, or be adsorbed by soil particles that, through erosion, end up in a lake or river.
- When treating a site next to surface water, consider using an herbicide registered for both sites and if some of the chemical does spill into the water, it is still on a labeled site
- Turn the sprayer off when crossing any body of water, regardless of size and treat culverts and drainage inlets carefully
- Do not spray up to the water's edge unless absolutely necessary and use green plant strips as biofilters to catch eroded soil and slow the flow of chemicals into the water.
Off-Site Exposure
- For highway spraying, you may use a trailing vehicle as a safety precaution to reduce the chance of spray blowing onto following traffic
- Avoid spraying over hand tools at construction sites, treat mailboxes at the base rather than spraying over the top, and be sure the spray solution will not corrode painted surfaces to minimize health hazards for everyone nearby.
Backflash
- Backflash is the uptake of herbicide by untreated plants next to treated plants through root grafts or herbicide leaking from roots
- Backflash can be a problem with trees such as aspen or sassafras that grow from root sprouts that can also occur between unrelated species.
Back-Siphoning
- Back-siphoning occurs when liquid pesticide accidentally flows back through the filling hose and into the water source requiring proper equipment and techniques that makes sure the filler hose does not dip into the sprayer tank.
- Back-flow devices are required in most states, including Virginia. If you mount the right size hook to securely hold the filler hose, and be sure your sprayer does not overflow and drain contaminated water back into the source water.
- Do not use a source of water that supplies people or livestock. Even when filling from ponds and streams, take the same precautions to protect animals that might drink there by using a tank truck and bring your own water to the application site.
Spills
- Pesticide spills on the roadside may be minor or very serious so inform your supervisor immediately and report all major spills to your state pesticide authority
- A shovel, stiff broom, and spill kit should be kept on the vehicle and a spill contingency plan developed with the telephone numbers of government agencies
- Confine serious spills to the site and do not let anyone hose down the area because this spreads the chemical, work carefully, and do not hurry while roping off the area, if necessary
- People unauthorized should not enter the area until the spill is completely cleaned up and wash the product off immediately if spilled on anyone
- Do not leave a spill until it is cleaned up or responsible help arrives.
Endangered Species
- A right-of-way is sometimes an ideal location for threatened and endangered species because they are often the last remnant of undisturbed ground
- Road construction sometimes blocks water drainage, creating wetlands that contain endangered species
- Pesticides have been blamed for the decline of many wildlife species, including some that are endangered.
- The Endangered Species Act and other laws may limit where you can apply certain pesticides by checking county maps and bulletins from the Extension office, your pesticide dealer, or the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Applicator safety
- As a pesticide applicator, your greatest hazard is from skin contact that can result from a splash, a spill, or drift when you are mixing or applying the pesticide, or from pesticide residues of earlier applications so be especially careful to avoid contact with concentrates.
- The risk of skin absorption increases with cuts, abrasions, scratches, or punctures with the most absorptive body parts are the scrotum, armpit, ear canal, forehead, and scalp.
- Other body parts, such as the palm of the hand and ball of the foot, are less absorptive but still at risk so wash any pesticide that touches your skin immediately.
- Fortunately, most herbicides and plant growth regulators are not readily absorbed through the skin and are excreted from the human body unchanged.
Health effects
- People can be exposed to herbicides in two major ways:
- Acute exposure is a single mishap with an herbicide, such as splashing the herbicide concentrate into your mouth during mixing, and can include spilling or spraying an herbicide onto your clothing, face, or body with symptoms begin quickly (within 24 hours).
- Chronic exposure is repeated contact with low levels of herbicides over a long period (usually several years) that can follow delayed health problems
- It usually results from inadequate protective clothing or equipment from re-wearing contaminated clothes, not bathing, or working in a contaminated area.
- The term "LD50" expresses the level of toxicity of chemicals with "LD" means lethal dose. LD50 is the dose, based on weight, that will kill 50% of a population of test animals. The higher the LD50 value, the less acutely toxic the chemical. This value is usually expressed as milligrams/kilogram of body weight. A chemical with an LD50 of 5,000 mg/kg requires about 0.1 ounce of the chemical per pound of body weight to reach the LD50 value. For a 150-pound person, this would be about 15 ounces.
- Acute oral exposure refers to a single dose taken by mouth (ingested). Acute dermal exposure means a single dose touching the skin or eyes (skin absorption). Acute inhalation exposure is an intake of a breath of contaminated air. Because right-of-way herbicide mixing and application occur outside, inhalation is not usually a problem.
Cautions and common sense
- Some herbicides have such low toxicity that it takes a large (or long) exposure to cause illness while some people are more sensitive than others to certain chemicals
- Even low-toxicity chemicals can irritate the nose, throat, eyes, and skin of some people
- They can enter the body through the mouth (orally), through the skin and eyes (dermally), and through the lungs (by inhalation).
- Oral Exposure: To avoid getting herbicide in your mouth, be sure to wash your hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing and avoid carelessly splashing it into your mouth, and never siphon by mouth or blow through nozzles to clean them.
- Dermal Exposure: To avoid getting herbicide on your skin or in your eyes, wash your hands after handling containers. Wear gloves when handling pesticides with washing of your gloves before taking them off.
- Be careful not to splash or spray herbicides on unprotected skin or eyes, and do not wear herbicide-contaminated clothing (including boots and gloves) where needed
- Wear adequate protective clothing and equipment during mixing and/or application. Consult the label for this information, and do not apply pesticides when they can blow back on you.
Inhalation exposure
- To avoid breathing contaminated dust or mist during mixing or application, wear required protective equipment, including using a respirator if the product label directs you to do so.
General Precautions
- If you spill an herbicide on yourself, wash it off immediately., and when you finish working with herbicides or application equipment, take a shower, wash thoroughly with soap and water, and wear clean clothes daily
- If your clothes get wet with herbicides, change them and do store or wash contaminated clothing with the family laundry
- Wash hats, gloves, and rubber boots protective daily, inside and out, and hang them to dry
- Test your gloves for leaks by filling them with water and squeezing gently
- Wash your goggles or face shields at least once a day and do not wash contaminated gloves, boots, or other equipment in streams or ponds.
First aid concepts
- First aid is the initial effort to help a victim while medical assistance is on the way, and should not take the place of professional medical care
- Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the first aid instructions on the product label and keep a copy of the label and MSDS for each product you use with the application equipment at all times
- Follow instructions and do not become exposed while trying to help by taking the label and MSDS to the physician.
Herbicide on the skin
- Wash herbicide from skin with soap and water and you should have clean water on the spray equipment to wash your hands after working on the sprayer or becoming contaminated with the spray solution.
Herbicide in the eye
- Wash the contaminated eye quickly but gently by holding the eyelid open and wash with a gentle stream of clean running water for at least 15 minutes
- Getting herbicides in your eyes can be serious so keep herbicide containers below eye level when pouring to avoid splashing
- Do not use chemicals or drugs in the wash water and keep clean water on the spray equipment dedicated exclusively for eye washing
- Wettable powders are abrasive and may damage your eyes so wear eye protection when mixing.
Inhaled Herbicide
- The greatest potential for inhaling pesticides is when mixing wettable powders
- Stand so that the wind blows across your body instead of in front of or behind you while cutting rather than tear the bags to avoid stirring up dust.
Herbicide in the mouth
- Rinse the mouth with plenty of water by giving the victim large amounts (up to 1 quart) of milk or water to drink. Induce vomiting only if instructions on the label say to do so.
- To induce vomiting, position the victim face down or kneeling forward.
- Do not allow the victim to lie on his or her back because of the danger of choking using a finger or the blunt end of a spoon at the back of the victim's throat, or give syrup of ipecac, and do not use salt solutions.
- Do not induce vomiting if the victim is unconscious, is having convulsions, or has swallowed an emulsifiable concentrate or oil solution as the lungs and nasal passages if inhaled during vomiting may incur severe damage.
Supplies
- Keep a standard first aid kit to treat the usual cuts and scrapes associated with working around equipment, and a container of clean water for emergency eye flushing should always be on the equipment
- Special eye-washing kits are available with routine hand washing soap and water kept with each piece of equipment
Mechanical safety
- Safety rules regarding machines often used on right-of-way areas are important, with machines and chemical methods used to control weeds.
Tractor safety
- Several guidelines are provided for safely operating a tractor
- The operators should consult the manufacturer's guides for a complete set with the following precautions:
- Operator's clothing should fit well and be in good repair as loose, torn, or bulky clothing can catch on moving parts, pedals, or levers
- The tractor must be equipped with the lighting and safety devices required by state and local laws
- Carry a first aid kit and an approved ABC-type fire extinguisher. Set the tractor wheel spacing at the maximum width
- Make sure the tractor has roll-over protection structures as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- For maximum stability, be sure the tractor is properly ballasted
- Be alert for obstructions (holes, rocks, roots, guardrails, telephone poles, signs, mailboxes, metal trash, etc.) can throw you off the tractor or tip it over with seatbelts worn
- Avoid sudden starts, stops, and turns when traveling up, down, or across a slope
- Do not park the vehicle on a slope
- Lock the brake pedals together before traveling on the open road
- Short, frequent breaks are better than longer, less frequent ones and stop when exhausted.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Clothing and devices worn to protect the human body and to minimize your risk of injury while applying pesticides are required to follow all PPE instructions that appear on the label or in labeling
- Consult the Virginia Core Manual, Applying Pesticides Correctly, Unit 8 (Personal Protective Equipment) for more information
Applying chemicals
- Even though most herbicides and plant growth regulators are not rapidly absorbed through the skin, you should wear protective clothing as a precaution
- Follow all label instructions and take knowledge of herbicide toxicity and the risk of exposure that should help you select the necessary PPE
- You must know all state laws that concern pesticide application and state laws may prescribe protective equipment for certain products or situations
- You are most at risk for exposure while you are handling concentrated products so the product label may require more protective clothing for mixing and loading than for the application itself
- If you normally wear a shirt and trousers, you should consider wearing a liquid-proof apron when handling concentrates
- If you wear a coverall garment, it should be a woven or laminated fabric.
- Gloves should be worn when handling herbicide concentrates or whenever you will touch the spray solution like when cleaning the nozzles or adjusting the spray unit
- They should be long enough to protect the wrist with liquid-proof, unlined, neoprene gloves as best for liquid formulations
- Gloves should NOT be fabric lined because the lining absorbs herbicides and is hard to clean
- Shirtsleeves should be outside of the gloves to keep the herbicides from running down the sleeves and into the gloves while when working hands and arms over your head, put the gloves outside of the sleeves
- Gloves should be washed daily.
- A hat should be worn to protect your head and keep herbicides off your neck and face as wide-brimmed hats will
- Hats should not have a cloth or leather sweatband because it absorbs chemicals and is hard to clean, instead, use a sweatband should be disposable or easy to clean
- Baseball-type caps provide some protection but should be washed regularly.
- Shoes and boots: Wear sturdy shoes and boots are fine for most herbicide applications, and neoprene or rubber boots work well when using liquid herbicides because canvas, cloth, and leather can absorb chemicals
- It is best to wear unlined, high-topped boots with trouser legs outside them so the herbicide cannot run down your legs and collect in the boots which you should wash your boots daily
- Protect your eyes with safety glasses with brow and side protection, goggles, or a face shield with eyes that readily absorb any chemical, and wash your eye protection equipment daily.
- Your respiratory tract especially your lungs is much more absorbent than your skin so you must wear an approved respirator if the label directs you to do so, and if you have trouble breathing while wearing a respirator, get your physician's advice
- Two main types of respirators available:
Air-purifying (cartridge): These respirators filter or trap contaminants from the air you breathe that guard against dusts, droplets, and mists
- To absorb pesticide vapors, the inhaled air passes through both a fiber filter pad and a cartridge
- Cartridge respirators cover the mouth and nose so it is best to use one combined with goggles or to wear separate goggles that protect your eyes and check the fit of the respirator each time you put it on
- Supplied-air: These respirators provide clean air from an outside source necessary when the air is highly contaminated though not normally used in right-of-way application
- Instead of a respirator, you might choose a dust mask that are useful in trapping dust particles for persons with allergies, and not approved for herbicides and plant growth regulators.
- Using PPE can prevent or reduce the severity of many injuries (particularly those of the head, eyes, ears, lungs, hands, skin, and feet) while you operate machines on a right-of-way.
- Head protection such as safety hats and bump caps may prevent most head injuries common in the workplace.
- Hard hats are made of a rigid material that protects the head from bumps and flying or falling objects while bump caps are lightweight, thin-shelled, protective headgear that offers good protection from ordinary head bumps and blows but will not protect you from flying or falling objects
- Eye injuries are painful, expensive, and may cause blindness such that protective eyewear should be carefully selected, fitted, and cleaned wear industrial-rated glasses or sunglasses and flexible or cushion-fitting ventilated plastic goggles shield your eyes from flying objects, and by law, all glass lenses must be impact resistant as goggles (unlike glasses) give both front and side protection
- Hearing protection: Noise from tractors, power mowers, and other motors can cause hearing loss with most open tractors and those with ordinary weather cabs produce sound levels greater than 90 decibels at the operator's ear with ninety decibels is the OSHA limit for an 8-hour period
- Two basic types of hearing protection are the insert rubber, plastic, wax, or special cotton-like fibers such as "Swedish wool" that should be insert properly and be reasonably comfortable) and muff (cup type, resembles earphones and covers the external ear be taken on and off quickly as needed)
- You can shield your skin from grease, paint, oil, and solvents, apply barrier creams before working and use hand lotion to soothe or moisten your skin after work
- Common mishaps that cause foot injuries include dropping heavy objects on a foot, running over a foot with a rotary mower or other machinery, and stepping on sharp objects requiring safety shoes to be worn
- Wear a fluorescent orange vest while you are working near a highway, except when you are operating a chipper or chain saw with the vest potentially becoming tangled in the equipment.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Study Notes
Something went wrong
