Pesticide SafetyInformation - California Department Of Pesticide Regulation

The meaning of safety statements on the label. Safety rules for handling pesticides (including closedmixing systems and enclosed cabs, pesticide disposal, and spill clean-up). Field posting requirements and restricted entry intervals. Hazard information provided by labels, safety leafets,and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). SDSs tell you aboutpesticide hazards, medical treatment, and other information. Why you should not take pesticides or pesticide containers home from work. Potential hazards to children and pregnant women,including keeping children and family members awayfrom treated areas, removing boots or shoes beforeentering your home, and removing your work clothesand washing or showering before contact with yourfamily members. Pesticide dangers to the environment, such as drift,runoff, or wildlife hazards.WHAT ARE MY EMPLOYEERIGHTS?If you don’t get all the information youneed in your training or want to make apesticide use complaint, you should callyour County Agricultural Commissioner, orthe DPR for more information. You can ÿndthe Commissioner’s number in your localwhite pages phone directory, by calling1-87PestLine, or at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/county/countymap/DPR’s Regional Ofÿces are: Northern (West Sacramento) 916/376-8960 Central (Clovis) 559/297-3511Southern (Anaheim) 714/279-7690 You have the right as an employee: To know where you can fnd more information aboutpesticides, job safety information, safety leafets,and SDSs. To have your physician or authorized representativereceive information about pesticides you may havebeen exposed to. To be protected against retaliation for your exerciseof these rights.All safety lea ets are available at:www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/psisenglish.htm To report suspected pesticide problems to the County Agricultural Commissioner or the Department ofPesticide Regulation (DPR).CA Department of Pesticide Regulation 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A1 6

PesticideSafety I n f o r m a t i o nA No. 2CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYStoring, Moving, andDisposing of Pesticidesin Agricultural SettingsPesticides are poisonous and must be stored,moved, and disposed of with caution andconcern for others, particularly children. If youfollow the directions in this leaflet, you can helpprevent accidents with pesticides.SAFE PESTICIDE STORAGENo job is finished until the pesticides, containers, and equipmenthave been put away properly. Always remember to store all of yourmaterials safely before you clean up and go home, or move on tothe next job. While you are cleaning up and putting away the pesticides, containers, and equipment, you must wear all the personalprotective equipment (PPE) you used on the job. Consider wearinggloves and other protective equipment even if they weren’t required on the label. Spills and accidents often occur as pesticidesare being put away.xPESTICIDEHow Should Pesticides Be Stored?Every year, children are poisoned from eating or drinking pesticidesthat someone did not put away or throw out correctly. Keep pesticides and their empty containers either in a locked area, or underthe control of a person who can keep others away. If the pesticidesare not locked up, the person in control of the pesticides must beable to see the pesticides at all times to keep others away.The label will tell you the right way to store the pesticide. Read andfollow these directions. If you have to store pesticides in the sameplace as fertilizers, keep them apart. Pesticides and fertilizers canreact with each other and start a fire.Do not store pesticides near food, animal feed, or PPE. They canbecome contaminated with pesticide, and make people or animalssick.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814PSIS A No. 2 (HS-711) 2018A2 1l

Here are some acceptable ways to store pesticides and empty containers: A locked, fenced area.Important Things to Remember Make sure all pesticide containers are labeled. Close container lids tightly. Check containers for leaks, breaks, or weak spots. Tell yoursupervisor if there is a problem. Never put pesticides in containers used for food, drink, or householdproducts. DO NOT take home any pesticide that you use at work.ETY TI2AFP A truck or trailer with locked side racks. (The tops of the racks shouldbe at least six feet above the ground.)S A lockable storage compartment.Always read the label beforeapplying a pesticide.IF YOU CANNOT READ IT,ask your supervisorto tell youwhat it says. Keep the storage area locked when you are not using it. Post signs in storage areas where pesticides with “Danger” or“Warning” signal words are stored. MOVING PESTICIDES SAFELYAccidents can happen even when you are moving pesticides a shortdistance. If there is an accident, the pesticide can make you and otherssick, or contaminate the environment.What Do I Need to Know About Moving Pesticides?Follow these rules: Never carry pesticides inside your car, van, or truck cab. Pesticidescan cause injury or death if they spill on you or your passengers.Spills on seat covers may be impossible to get out. The pesticide maymake people sick days or weeks later if it is not cleaned up properly. Never move pesticides in the same compartment as food, feed, clothing, or people. Close container lids tightly. Vehicles make turns, sudden starts, and stops. Secure pesticide containers in an upright position to prevent spills. If the pesticide has been put in another container, you must labelthis container when you move it on a public road. The label musthave the name of the pesticide, its signal word (Danger, Warning,Caution), and the name and address of the person responsible forthe container and the pesticide. Never let your vehicle out of your sight when you are moving pesticides in an open bed truck.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A2 2l

RINSING CONTAINERS SAFELYDisposable containers must be rinsed as soon as they are emptied. Thelabel may have specific directions for you to follow when rinsing the container. If you are using a closed mixing system, the equipment may do therinsing. Otherwise you can use one of these methods:METHOD #1 (triple rinsing)1. Wear all the required PPE.2. Fill the pesticide container about 1/4 full with water.3. Close it tightly and shake it.4. Pour all of this rinse water into the mix tank so it will be applied withthe pesticide. Allow container to drain for 30 seconds after normalemptying.5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 at least two more times.METHOD #2 (for equipment with a rinsing unit)1. Wear all the required PPE.2. Put the opening of the container over the nozzle of the machine so theliquid will drain into the tank.3. Turn the nozzle on and rinse until clean.PESTICIDE SPILL CLEAN-UPIf the pesticide spill is on a public road, immediately call 911 and the California Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-852-7550. If anyone hasbeen contaminated or injured by the spill, administer first aid and contactyour supervisor. For more information on first aid, ask your employer for theA-4 safety leaflet.Set up cones or caution tape to keep people out of the spill area. If the spillis indoors, get out of the building and ventilate the area. The label may havedetailed instructions for how to clean up a spill. Most labels have a toll-freenumber you can call if there is a spill to get specific guidance on spill cleanup. If the label is not specific, put on all PPE the label says, then follow thesesteps:PESTICIDE SPILLS:Control the spillContain the spillClean up the spill. Control the spill: Stand the container upright, shut off the mixing or application equipment, or put the leaking container into another container. Contain the spill: Use absorbent material to keep the product fromspreading, use “snakes” or pillows from a spill kit, or make a dike of soil,sod, or other material around the spill area. Clean up the spill:o Soak up liquid spills with absorbent materials like cat litter, sand, orclay.o If the pesticide or absorbent material is likely to blow around, moistenit very slightly with water or cover it with a sweeping compound orplastic covering.o If the spill is on soil, shovel out the top 2 to 3 inches of soil for disposal.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A2 3l

o Place clean-up materials or soil into a leak-proof containerfor proper disposal.o Label the container with the pesticide name and signalword.Notify your employer about the incident as soon as it is safe andpractical to do so. If someone is contaminated or injured, youremployer must notify Cal/OSHA of the incident.EMPTY PESTICIDE CONTAINERSPesticide containers are never “empty.” They still have smallamounts of pesticide in them even after they have been rinsedout. Empty containers must be treated and stored as if they stillcontain pesticides. This means the container must be labeled,must be stored in a locked area, and must have storage area posting signs if needed. Never toss containers into streams, ponds,fields, or vacant buildings. Keep track of every pesticide containeryou used for the job. Never allow children or other persons tocome in contact with empty containers. Never use them for anything else. Empty containers must be disposed of the right way,following the label and federal, state, and local rules.Your employer must know how to dispose of containers. Thecounty agricultural commissioner can tell your employer howto dispose of empty containers, including recycling plasticcontainers.If you don’t get all the information youneed in your training or want to make apesticide use complaint, you should callyour County Agricultural Commissioner, orthe DPR for more information. You can findthe Commissioner’s number in your localwhite pages phone directory, by calling1-87PestLine, or at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/county/countymap/DPR’s Regional Offices are:lPESTICIDE DISPOSALllNorthern (West Sacramento) 916/376-8960Central (Clovis) 559/297-3511Southern (Anaheim) 714/279-7690If you find pesticides in storage that are no longer used or areno longer legal to use, let your employer know. Proper disposalof unwanted or unused pesticides is important to keep peopleand the environment safe. Never throw unused pesticides in thetrash, or pour leftover pesticides down a sink, toilet, sewer, streetdrain, or on the ground.The label may tell you how to dispose of unwanted pesticides. Ifit is possible to do, the best way to dispose of a small amount ofpesticide is to use it, according to the label directions.In some cases, the pesticide may be able to be shipped back tothe dealer or the maker of the pesticide.All safety leaflets are available se, your employer can contact the county agriculturalcommissioner or the county’s waste disposal agency for moreinformation.ARE THERE OTHER RULES?Depending on the pesticide, there may be additional rules. If youare moving a pesticide, you must receive training about all therules. Your employer should call the California Highway Patrol,Motor Carrier Safety Unit, if you are moving more pesticides thanyou will use in a few days. The Highway Patrol telephone numbercan be found in the Government Pages of your telephone book.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A2 4l

PesticideSafety I n f o r m a t i o nA No. 3CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYAFETY T3IPFor certain pesticides, there are extra safety rules,special equipment, and packages to help keep yousafe. Your employer must make sure you know theserules before you use these types of pesticides.There are many ways to protect yourself whenmixing, loading, and applying pesticides. You mustfollow label directions, wear the right kind of clothesand personal protective equipment (PPE), and use theright kind of equipment.SClosed Mixing Systems, Water-SolublePackaging, and Enclosed Cabs inAgricultural SettingsYOU MUST ALWAYSwear eye protectionwhen using a closedmixing system.HERE ARE THREE SPECIAL KINDS OFEXTRA PROTECTION TO USE WHENWORKING WITH DANGEROUS PESTICIDES1. Closed Mixing SystemsA “closed mixing system” is equipment that protects you fromdangerous pesticides that can get on your skin. The pesticide labelwill tell you if a pesticide is dangerous if it gets on your skin. Closedmixing systems take the pesticide out of its container for you andprevent the pesticide from touching you. They may also rinse thepesticide from the container and any hoses into the applicationtank for you. Before you use a closed mixing system, you must betrained how to use it and what safety rules to follow.There are two types of closed mixing systems: Tier 1 closed mixing system that removes the pesticide from thecontainer and rinses and drains the empty container while it isstill connected to the closed system. Tier 2 closed mixing system that removes the pesticide from thecontainer but does not rinse the container.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814PSIS A No. 3 (HS-713) 2018A3 1l

When Do I Use a Closed Mixing System andWhat Type Should I Use?You must use a Tier 1 closed mixing system if you mix liquid pesticides with statements on the label that say “Fatal if absorbed throughthe skin” or something similar.You must use a Tier 2 closed mixing system if you mix liquid pesticides with statements on the label that say “May be fatal if absorbedthrough the skin” or “Corrosive, causes skin damage” or somethingsimilar.If you are mixing or loading one gallon or less of a pesticide requiringuse of a Tier 2 closed mixing system in a single day, you do not have touse a closed mixing system, but you must wear all PPE required by thelabel or other rules.If you mix or load a Minimal Exposure Pesticide, you can use a closedsystem to protect you and not wear certain PPE. Ask your employerfor a copy of the A-6 safety leaflet for more information on MinimalExposure Pesticides.Who Takes Care of a Closed Mixing System?Your employer must make sure the closed mixing system is workingproperly and is regularly cleaned. It will not protect you if it is notworking right. You have the right to wait until it is fixed before youwork with the pesticide.2. Water-Soluble PackagingFor certain pesticides, the manufacturer of the pesticide also takessteps to protect you from harm. “Water-soluble packaging” is a special pesticide container or package. Both the package and the pesticide dissolve when you put the package in water. Using pesticides inwater-soluble packaging protects you the same as a closed mixingsystem does. NEVER cut open a water-soluble package, even if youonly want to use part of it. This puts you in great danger of gettingthe pesticide on you and becoming sick or hurt.3. Enclosed CabsAn “enclosed cab” is a place where you can sit and be protected whilepesticides are being applied around you. Enclosed cabs can be thecockpit of an aircraft, or any tractor or other vehicle with windowsand doors that can close. Enclosed cabs must keep you from touchinganything outside that has pesticide on it. The label may require youto use an enclosed cab during application. Your employer may alsoprovide an enclosed cab for extra safety.Even if you don’t have to wear all of the PPE required by the label orCalifornia’s rules, it must be with you and stored in a sealed container. You must wear the PPE if you exit the cab while you are in thetreated area. Once you wear PPE in the treated area, you must remove it before reentering the cab.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A3 2l

IF I USE EXTRA SAFETY EQUIPMENT,DO I STILL NEED TO WEAR PERSONALPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)?You must always wear eye protection when using a closed system,which includes pesticides in water-soluble packaging. But sometimesyou can wear different PPE. Pesticide labels and California laws listwhat PPE you need for certain pesticides. The chart below lists thekinds of PPE you can wear when you use extra safety equipment. Evenif you don’t have to wear all the PPE on the label when you use extrasafety equipment, all the PPE must be at the place where you mix andload pesticides in case of an emergency.PPE YOU MAY USE WITH EXTRA SAFETY EQUIPMENTInstead ofIf you useYou may use 1PPE required by thelabel or California’srulesClosed mixing system orwater-soluble packets forpesticides with a “Danger”or “Warning” signal wordCoveralls, chemicalresistant gloves, chemicalresistant apron, and eyeprotectionPPE required by thelabel or California’srulesClosed mixing systemor water-soluble packetsfor pesticides with a“Caution” signal wordWork clothing (shirt,pants, shoes) and eyeprotectionEnclosed cabWork clothingEnclosed cab with aproperly maintained andfunctioning ventilationsystemWork clothingEnclosed cabWork clothing and therespirator required bythe labelPPE required by the labelor California’s rules, norespirator requiredPPE required by the label,including a filtering facepiece or dust/mist filteringrespirator, or by California’srulesPPE required by the label,including a different type ofrespirator,2 or by California’srulesIf you don’t get all the information youneed in your training or want to make apesticide use complaint, you should callyour County Agricultural Commissioner, orthe DPR for more information. You can findthe Commissioner’s number in your localwhite pages phone directory, by calling1-87PestLine, or at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/county/countymap/DPR’s Regional Offices are:l Northern (West Sacramento) 916/376-8960l Central (Clovis) 559/297-3511l Southern (Anaheim) 714/279-7690All safety leaflets are available at:www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/psisenglish.htm1 All PPE required by the label or California’s rules must be at the work site in case of anemergency.2 For example, a half-face or full-face respirator with an organic vapor cartridge.CA Department of Pesticide Regulationl1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814A3 3l

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PesticideSafety I n f o r m a t i o nA No. 4Fir

If the pesticide can make you very sick, the label will have a skull-and-crossbones symbol and the word "POISON." Words like "FATAL" or " may be fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, " mean the pesticide can make you : very sick: or even kill you. WHAT SAFETY RULES DO I NEED TO FOLLOW? 1. Look at the .