Practical Solutions for Pesticide Safety: Handheld Equipment

Safety solutions for handheld application equipment

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For this project we work with agricultural industry partners to discover and share practical pesticide safety measures for handheld application equipment. We are finding solutions in greenhouses, nurseries, and forest services industries.

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

Sharing practical solutions is an excellent way to encourage others to use good safety practices. These practical solutions along with ‘shop talk’ training units that focus on the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) will be available nationally as an online guide.

What are the project goals?

  1. Identify, evaluate, and distribute pesticide safety measures for handheld application equipment.
  2. Use the practical solutions in short pesticide safety ‘shop talks’ that highlight key WPS messages.
  3. Collaborate with industry stakeholders.

How do you find practical solutions?

  • Our bilingual team tours participating workplaces. 
  • Together we identify potential practical solutions.
  • We interview pesticide handlers and managers to learn the story behind the solution.

How will these practical solutions be available?

Farm tested graphic

  1. The solutions are reviewed practicality and safety.
  2. The solutions and ‘shop talks’ are online. (see below)
  3. The solutions include a supply list, tips, photos, setup and use instructions, and links for more WPS information and relevant regulations.

PNASH Project 2016-2021 (CDC/NIOSH Cooperative Agreement # U54 OH007544)

View the practical solutions below >

 

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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