Pesticide Spills

1. Pesticide Spills Prevent�Prepare�React In this program, we�ll talk about pesticide spills�how to prevent them in all the ways we handle pesticides; how to prepare for them with a well-stocked spill kit; and finally how to react to them when they do happenIn this program, we�ll talk about pesticide spills�how to prevent them in all the ways we handle pesticides; how to prepare for them with a well-stocked spill kit; and finally how to react to them when they do happen

2. Pesticide spills can be costly. Whether it�s the time lost cleaning up a spill, the costs to dispose of the spill materials and contaminated soil, the replacement costs of new chemicals and crops, or in the worst case scenario, any fines or legal fees, you want to do everything you can to prevent spills.Pesticide spills can be costly. Whether it�s the time lost cleaning up a spill, the costs to dispose of the spill materials and contaminated soil, the replacement costs of new chemicals and crops, or in the worst case scenario, any fines or legal fees, you want to do everything you can to prevent spills.

3. Consequences of Spills Environmental contamination Soil Groundwater or surface water Applicator Exposure Exposure to other humans, wildlife, livestock In the bigger picture, you want to avoid spills because pesticides contamination can have adverse affects in the environment. It takes very little of some organic pesticides to contaminate a groundwater or a drinking water supply, sometimes just a few ounces. We�ve all heard about how pesticide buildup in the environment can harm sensitive species, such as this peregrine falcon. And of course you don�t want to exposure yourself or your clients to harmful pesticide residues either. In the bigger picture, you want to avoid spills because pesticides contamination can have adverse affects in the environment. It takes very little of some organic pesticides to contaminate a groundwater or a drinking water supply, sometimes just a few ounces. We�ve all heard about how pesticide buildup in the environment can harm sensitive species, such as this peregrine falcon. And of course you don�t want to exposure yourself or your clients to harmful pesticide residues either.

4. Prevent Pesticide Spills Through Proper: Storage Transportation Equipment Maintenance Mixing Application So how can you prevent pesticide spills? At every step in the process, from storage, transportation, mixing, and finally applying pesticides, there are things you can do to be safe. So how can you prevent pesticide spills? At every step in the process, from storage, transportation, mixing, and finally applying pesticides, there are things you can do to be safe.

5. Pesticide Storage Pesticide spills or leaks during storage are very common. This is the ideal way to store pesticides. In a secure metal container, with sturdy shelves lined with absorbent material, locked up with a warning sign on the door. Pesticide spills or leaks during storage are very common. This is the ideal way to store pesticides. In a secure metal container, with sturdy shelves lined with absorbent material, locked up with a warning sign on the door.

6. Pesticide Storage? Unfortunately, this is the way a lot of chemicals get stored! Can you see some of what�s wrong with this picture? Unfortunately, this is the way a lot of chemicals get stored! Can you see some of what�s wrong with this picture?

7. Site storage facilities: Away from sensitive areas such as waterways or wells Distant from homes and animals Dry and cool Locked up with a warning sign Used only for pesticides Ventilated When storing pesticides, be sure to site them�.follow bulleted items.When storing pesticides, be sure to site them�.follow bulleted items.

8. Other Considerations Always store pesticides in original containers Containers on sturdy shelves or pallets Inspect containers often for small leaks Keep cleanup materials, spill kit nearby Post important numbers to report spills Keep empty drums or plastic bags handy to contain spills Also remember to�follow bulletsAlso remember to�follow bullets

9. Transporting Pesticides�Which is best? Another common time for spills to occur is during transportation to the job site. Which of these 2 images shows the best way to store chemicals? What�s wrong with the image on the left side? (Take comments from audience) Not secured Feed and pesticides side by side Exposed to the elements Another common time for spills to occur is during transportation to the job site. Which of these 2 images shows the best way to store chemicals? What�s wrong with the image on the left side? (Take comments from audience) Not secured Feed and pesticides side by side Exposed to the elements

10. When transporting pesticides� Use the back of truck, not inside cab Keep tied down or braced Cover to keep dry Do not transport with feed or other materials Never leave unattended Read slideRead slide

11. Mixing Pesticides Probably the greatest opportunity for spills occurs when they are being mixed. This guys looks like he�s suited up for the job. Probably the greatest opportunity for spills occurs when they are being mixed. This guys looks like he�s suited up for the job.

12. Before you begin� Read the label! Note personal protective equipment you need to wear Note numbers for help in case of spill Proper mixing procedure Like anything else you do when working with pesticides, the most important thing to do is read the label! That way, you�ll know what personal protective equipment you should be wearing when working with that chemical, and you�ll already be dressed properly if a spill occurs. You should also read the proper mixing procedure and make sure you locate any numbers you may need to call in case of a spill. You don�t want to be fumbling around for that stuff when you are in an emergency situation. Like anything else you do when working with pesticides, the most important thing to do is read the label! That way, you�ll know what personal protective equipment you should be wearing when working with that chemical, and you�ll already be dressed properly if a spill occurs. You should also read the proper mixing procedure and make sure you locate any numbers you may need to call in case of a spill. You don�t want to be fumbling around for that stuff when you are in an emergency situation.

13. Protect Yourself Make sure you�ve got all your gear on.Make sure you�ve got all your gear on.

14. Before you mix chemicals Check equipment, valves for leaks with water only Mix on a level surface away from sensitive soil or water You should also periodically check the soundness of your tanks, valves and nozzles with just water to make sure you don�t have any leaks. Also add your chemicals to the tank on a level, non-porous surface, far away from any bodies of water. You should also periodically check the soundness of your tanks, valves and nozzles with just water to make sure you don�t have any leaks. Also add your chemicals to the tank on a level, non-porous surface, far away from any bodies of water.

15. Prepare for Pesticide Spills Pesticide Spill Kits If you do everything you can to prevent spills, hopefully you�ll never have one. But say you�ve done everything you can, and you still have a spill or a leak, then you�ll need to have a well-stocked spill kit. If you do everything you can to prevent spills, hopefully you�ll never have one. But say you�ve done everything you can, and you still have a spill or a leak, then you�ll need to have a well-stocked spill kit.

16. Protective Equipment A good spill kit has a clean supply of personal protective equipment: Eye protection Boots or covering for your shoes Respirators with cartridges for all types of chemical vapors Gloves and a good rubber apron or coveralls that are impermeable to chemical spills A good spill kit has a clean supply of personal protective equipment: Eye protection Boots or covering for your shoes Respirators with cartridges for all types of chemical vapors Gloves and a good rubber apron or coveralls that are impermeable to chemical spills

17. Barricades It has some kind of barricade material or tape that keep out nosy passers-by. A sign that warns of chemical contamination is also helpful. It has some kind of barricade material or tape that keep out nosy passers-by. A sign that warns of chemical contamination is also helpful.

18. Confinement Materials It contains materials to contain the spills, such as kitty litter or these absorbent socks or pillows. It contains materials to contain the spills, such as kitty litter or these absorbent socks or pillows.

19. Cleanup Materials It has a broom and dustpan to clean up dry materials, and it contains a sturdy drum or strong plastic bag to hold smaller leaking containers or contaminated materials. It has a broom and dustpan to clean up dry materials, and it contains a sturdy drum or strong plastic bag to hold smaller leaking containers or contaminated materials.

20. Decontamination Materials And finally, it has some detergent, lime or bleach to apply to contaminated soil or other surfaces. And finally, it has some detergent, lime or bleach to apply to contaminated soil or other surfaces.

21. Miscellaneous Supplies Permanent marking pens Emergency Information & Phone numbers: Fire Department 911 Local Emergency Management Office Chemtrec # 800-424-9300 DEP or EPA if water supplies impacted Once you have a container full of materials to be disposed off, you�ll need to label it, so make sure there are some marking pens. And if would be good to have a laminated card with emergency numbers such as these on it. Once you have a container full of materials to be disposed off, you�ll need to label it, so make sure there are some marking pens. And if would be good to have a laminated card with emergency numbers such as these on it.

22. Reacting to a Spill Control it� Contain it� Clean it up! So say you�ve done everything right, but a spill still occurs, don�t panic. Just follow the 3 step rule: control it, contain it, and clean it up. So say you�ve done everything right, but a spill still occurs, don�t panic. Just follow the 3 step rule: control it, contain it, and clean it up.

23. Spills�Immediate Steps Do whatever you can to stop the spill Isolate area�keep people, animals away with barricade tape If indoors, ventilate area Keep ignition sources away from flammables STOP � If spill involves more than 2 products, or if you have any doubts, contact the pesticide manufacturer The first thing to do is the most common sense thing, but sometimes you panic and forget. Stop any further leaking or spilling of product by shutting off the valve, righting an overturned container, or putting a leaking bottle in a larger, watertight container. Next, put up the barricade tape to keep anyone from walking through the spill, exposing themselves and then walking away with residue on their shoes. If you are indoors, open windows or turn on fans to ventilate the area, and be sure to keep any flammable materials from igniting by turning off any engines or other ignition sources. At this point, it�s important to review what the label says about this product, and what to do in the event of a spill. If you are mixing 2 pesticides, and don�t know how to cope with the combination product, contact the manufacturer immediately.The first thing to do is the most common sense thing, but sometimes you panic and forget. Stop any further leaking or spilling of product by shutting off the valve, righting an overturned container, or putting a leaking bottle in a larger, watertight container. Next, put up the barricade tape to keep anyone from walking through the spill, exposing themselves and then walking away with residue on their shoes. If you are indoors, open windows or turn on fans to ventilate the area, and be sure to keep any flammable materials from igniting by turning off any engines or other ignition sources. At this point, it�s important to review what the label says about this product, and what to do in the event of a spill. If you are mixing 2 pesticides, and don�t know how to cope with the combination product, contact the manufacturer immediately.

24. Spill Steps continued Make sure you have all protective equipment on Ready fire fighting equipment if spill is flammable If liquid�absorb until dry. Contain liquids around edges, mound dirt to contain from water sources. Of course, you should be wearing all the protective equipment anyway�but just in case you forgot something, get it on. If the material is flammable, make sure there�s an extinguisher safe for chemical fires nearby. Remember that water added to a chemical fire can just make a spill worse. If you have a liquid spill, use your pillows or kitty litter to absorb it until dry. If you are on a slope you should mound dirt at the base to prevent the spill from traveling, especially if you are near a water source! Of course, you should be wearing all the protective equipment anyway�but just in case you forgot something, get it on. If the material is flammable, make sure there�s an extinguisher safe for chemical fires nearby. Remember that water added to a chemical fire can just make a spill worse. If you have a liquid spill, use your pillows or kitty litter to absorb it until dry. If you are on a slope you should mound dirt at the base to prevent the spill from traveling, especially if you are near a water source!

25. Spill Steps continued If dry chemical, sweep to the center and carefully place spilled products in disposable containers. If windy, wet dry chemicals with spray bottle. Scrub spilled area with concentrated detergent using a broom. If carbamate or organophosphate insecticide, use 30 % bleach OR hydrated lime. Use more absorbent material to remove cleanup materials. If you�ve spilled a powder, carefully sweep it into pile, sweeping toward the center of the spill so you don�t contaminate a larger area. You may be able to reuse this material. If it�s a windy day and the material starts to blow around, you�ll need to stabilize it by wetting it down with a spray bottle. Once the spill is swept up, scrub the surface with a detergent using a broom or scrub brush. With certain types of chemicals, such as carbamate or organophosphate pesticides, detergents won�t do the whole job. You�ll need to use either a bleach solution or hydrated lime�not both, which would cause a bad chemical reaction! Then you�ll need to absorb the liquid with more absorbent material and pick that up too. If you�ve spilled a powder, carefully sweep it into pile, sweeping toward the center of the spill so you don�t contaminate a larger area. You may be able to reuse this material. If it�s a windy day and the material starts to blow around, you�ll need to stabilize it by wetting it down with a spray bottle. Once the spill is swept up, scrub the surface with a detergent using a broom or scrub brush. With certain types of chemicals, such as carbamate or organophosphate pesticides, detergents won�t do the whole job. You�ll need to use either a bleach solution or hydrated lime�not both, which would cause a bad chemical reaction! Then you�ll need to absorb the liquid with more absorbent material and pick that up too.

26. Soil Contamination Soil saturated with pesticides has to be removed, usually the top 3 inches. Contaminated soil needs to be put in with other waste and labeled. Dispose of contaminated soil at a proper disposal site. Cover the area with 2 inches of lime; cover lime with fresh topsoil If you got chemicals on soil, you�ll need to remove all contaminated soil, which usually means the top few inches. Just keep removing the soil until you get it all. That soil will have to be disposed of the same as the pesticide, so label the container properly. Finally, spread a few inches of lime over the clean soil, and cover it with a few inches of clean soil. If you got chemicals on soil, you�ll need to remove all contaminated soil, which usually means the top few inches. Just keep removing the soil until you get it all. That soil will have to be disposed of the same as the pesticide, so label the container properly. Finally, spread a few inches of lime over the clean soil, and cover it with a few inches of clean soil.

27. Water Contamination Pesticide spills into streams or other waterways must be reported to: PA DEP PA Fish and Boating Commission PA DOA US EPA (1-800-424-8802) If despite your best efforts, you still get some spill into a pond, stream or other waterway, no matter how small, you need to notify all these agencies. They can notify water suppliers downstream of the spill. If despite your best efforts, you still get some spill into a pond, stream or other waterway, no matter how small, you need to notify all these agencies. They can notify water suppliers downstream of the spill.

28. Final Cleanup Dispose of sweepings, broken containers, brooms, other contaminated waste in accordance with local laws Make sure waste is labeled with contents Wash all protective equipment properly. For your final step, make sure you throw away anything you can�t adequately clean and reuse, like brooms and leaking containers. Make sure all the waste is completely labeled before you dispose of it. And finally, wash all your protective clothing. Pesticide spill can be a headache in more ways than one, but if you prepare for them, hopefully they won�t be a major disaster! Ask class if anyone can relate a story of their own experiences with pesticide spills. Ask them to describe how they could envision a spill occurring in the kind of work they routinely do, for example, during mixing, from leaking equipment or containers, or other examples. Do they think they are prepared in the event of a spill? For your final step, make sure you throw away anything you can�t adequately clean and reuse, like brooms and leaking containers. Make sure all the waste is completely labeled before you dispose of it. And finally, wash all your protective clothing. Pesticide spill can be a headache in more ways than one, but if you prepare for them, hopefully they won�t be a major disaster! Ask class if anyone can relate a story of their own experiences with pesticide spills. Ask them to describe how they could envision a spill occurring in the kind of work they routinely do, for example, during mixing, from leaking equipment or containers, or other examples. Do they think they are prepared in the event of a spill?