The Safe Handling of Pesticides

1. The Safe Handling of Pesticides Mixing and Loading

2. What are Pesticides • Insecticides • Herbicides • Fungicides • Rodenticides

3. It’s a fact!The nature of pesticide injuries is more severe during mixing and handling Why?

4. Pesticide is concentrated (its not yet diluted) • Activities around the sprayer (Climbing, lifting, pouring) • Applicators often work alone! • Applicators tend to be less safe when not spraying….safety is an attitude!

5. Safety Precautions for Mixing and LoadingRead the Label • Know the signal word and what it means! • Statement of Practical Treatment (1st Aid) • Precautionary Statements • Required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) • General Use Instructions – Mixing & rates • Storage Information!

6. Signal Words • Danger-Poison (I) • could be lethal • Danger (I) - mainly related to eyes and skin • Warning (II) - moderate toxicity • Caution (III) - least toxic compounds • Caution (IV)

7. Precautionary statements PPE Signal Word Safety Precautions 1st Aid

8. When it says “must” its not just a suggestion! More PPE may be necessary during mixing! Example, waterproof apron, additional chemical-resistant coveralls PPE

9. The bottom line!Cover Yourself!

10. Directions • For • Use • Sites • Equipment • Application instructions (GPA)

11. General • Use • Instructions • Storage/disposal • Mixing • Tank Mixes

12. Label Mixing Instructions

13. Formulations • There are dry formulations • Wettable Powders (WP) • Dry Flowables (DF) • Granular (G or P) • And there are wet formulations • Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) • Soluble Liquids

14. Formulations • Dry Formulations – inhalation hazard • Wear a respirator when mixing or handling • Wear a respirator anytime there is a chance that fine particles can be inhaled • Wet Formulations – skin absorption hazard • EC’s absorb more. Use extra PPE when mixing! • Once dry formulations are mixed with water (WPs), the active ingredient can then be absorbed

15. Mixing and Loading • Never lift any open pesticide container higher than your chest. • Never work alone when handling “Danger-Poison” • Mix in a well ventilated area and….. • Protect yourself!

16. Mixing and LoadingPreventing Spills or Accidental Poisoning • Keep equipment in good repair • Secure pesticide containers • Use catch basins when mixing • Place all basins on a stable surface • Mark all basins, mixing jugs.. • ”For Pesticide Use Only” Using a catch basin

17. Don’t Poison Yourself or Others • Store pesticides in original containers • Don’t smoke, drink or eat when mixing • Move out of the are and wash your hands and face • Never wear leather or cotton gloves when mixing • Don’t use your mouth to siphon pesticides

18. Unless the label says otherwise, mix pesticides as follows: Mixing Two or More Pesticide Together

19. 1. Add water (or your desired diluent) to spray tank • Fill it only half full and start the sprayer engine or engage PTO • Check hoses, gauges, valves and ensure adequate agitation • Then…….

20. 2. Add different formulations in the following order • Wettable Powders (WP) • Dry Flowables (DF) • Flowables (F) • Liquids • Allow time for each product to mix and disperse before you add the next product • Then……

21. 3. Fill the tank to ¾ full and… • Add any Emulsifiable (EC) concentrates at this time. • Then…..

22. 4. Add the following • Crop Oils • Surfactants • Liquid fertilizers (if its not used as the diluent or carrier) • Then….

23. 5. Fill Tank to its final volume • Add antifoaming agents anytime during mixing to reduce excessive foaming. • Foaming will be more prominent once you add surfactants

24. How much to put in the tank? • You must know your sprayer’s calibration • You must know how many acres you can spray with a given volume • Volume to be sprayed ÷ GPA = acres • Acres x labeled rate = how much you add to a certain volume

25. Your sprayer is calibrated to apply 30 gallons of solution per acre (30 GPA). You have a 600 gallon tank but only want to apply 300 gallons of solution. The label calls for a rate of 1 pint per acre 300 gallons ÷ 30 GPA = 10 acres.. Meaning you can cover 10 acres with 300 gallons 10 acres x 1 pint/acre = 10 pints you add with your diluent (water) to make up a 300 gallon solution. How much to put in the tank!Example

26. Protecting Water Resources • Protect your well site. • Make sure your well • is properly sealed • Keep a buffer zone • and stay down hill • Never leave a full • sprayer unattended • Be prepared for spills • Keep a spill kit or • shovel close by when • mixing

27. Protecting Water Resources • Install shutoff valves • Know how to stop the pesticide flow • Emergency engine stop • Keep vice grips handy • Have a spill procedure

28. Protecting Water ResourcesPrevent Back-siphoning

29. Disposal of Pesticides & Containers • Know the size of the area you want to spray. • Know how to calibrate a sprayer. • Know how to mix pesticides • Buy mix, apply and store only what you need!!

30. Triple Rinsing Containers

31. Triple Rinsing Containers • Triple rinsed within 48 hours of being emptied • Must be triple rinsed for landfill disposal • Never use pesticide containers for other purposes • Burning of pesticide containers is not allowed

32. Montana Department of Agriculture Waste Pesticide Program http://mtpesticides.org

33. Remember! Read That Label!