Practical Solutions for Pesticide Safety

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Protecting agricultural pesticide handlers

The Practical Solutions for Pesticide Safety (PSPS) guide is a collection of 24 solutions and ideas identified on farms and developed in partnership with farmers, educators, and researchers in WA State.  

What is a Practical Solution?

A practical solution is a work practice, tool, or facility for pesticide handling that is:

Useful

  • Compatible with work activities
  • Convenient for handlers & management
  • Adaptable and affordable for other workplaces

Safe

  • Helps to minimize pesticide exposure
  • Does not create a new health or safety problem

How Are Practical Solutions Found?

Practical solutions are identified in several different ways:

  • Interviews with experts in pesticide handling, farm management, and pesticide safety education
  • Visits to farms and on-farm interviews with handlers and managers
  • Recommendations from the Expert Working Group members and pesticide safety educators
  • Reviews of pesticide safety measures developed and tested by other researchers and organizations

PSPS Resources

ALT

PSPS Guide and Training Kit

Learn more

ALT

PSPS Handheld Equipment

Learn more


We hope the kit will inspire you to incorporate solutions into your own training style, develop your own hands-on teaching tools, or discover new practical solutions. 

We would greatly appreciate hearing about any solutions you develop and your experience with this guide and kit. 

Contact PNASH with your comments, questions, and feedback! 

By email: pnash@uw.edu

 

Chemical container in tub on a shelf

Contain spills using trays and tubs

Trays and tubs contain spills and help to keep liquid and dry pesticides separate.

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Plastic bin with boots inside

Store work boots in a bin

Minimize the incidental work-to-home transfer of pesticide residues by keeping dirty boots out of the house and away from your pets and family members.

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Door handle

Pesticide warning signs: greenhouse door handle

Post the warning sign over the door handle. No one can miss it, as they will need to reach under the sign to find the door knob.

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reusable gloves hanging on a metal rack

Drying rack for reusable gloves

Use an industrial rack to dry reusable gloves after decontamination.

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Washed respirators in boxes stored in a clean room.

Respirator storage: ready to use

Clean respirators stored in a covered box stay clean and ready for use.

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Farm equipment, pesticide applicator hose reel

Radio remote control for hose reels

Easier, safer, and faster. Control the reel as you apply.

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Measuring containers marked with red paint

Mixing and loading: keep herbicides separate

The color-coding system provides a visual reminder to prevent herbicide contamination of other plant protection products.

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Image of a company pick-up truck with pesticide containers in back

Minimizing the work-to-home route of exposure: company vehicles

Company buses transport crews and applicators drive company trucks to work locations.

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Image of orange cones in field posted to warn against pesticide exposure

Pesticide warning signs: portable traffic cones

Place highly visible signs on traffi c cones to alert workers from entering restricted areas. Signs on poles are harder for workers to see.

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