Equipment for Safeguarding Personnel Handling Pesticides: Guidelines for Instructors and Overseers
When working with pesticides, it's crucial to prioritize safety. The Ohio State University Extension safety training modules outline the recommended Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to minimize risks.
Respirators
Dust/mist filtering NIOSH-approved respirators are essential when applying certain pesticides. These respirators protect against inhalation of pesticide particles. The type of respirator you need depends on the specific pesticide and application type.
Protective Clothing
Contaminated clothing should be removed immediately if pesticide penetrates inside. It's recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants for full coverage. Contaminated clothing should be washed thoroughly or discarded if heavily contaminated.
Chemical-Resistant Gloves
Leaks or holes in gloves can expose the skin to chemicals. Always check your gloves for holes or leaks before use. If water squirts through a hole, it's best to throw them away.
Eye Protection
Wear eye protection that fits snugly and is non-fogging, such as tight-fitting, non-fogging chemical splash goggles or a full face shield with splash protection.
Footwear
Unlined, lightweight, nonabsorbent boots that go up to midcalf are recommended for pesticide application. After each use, thoroughly wash and dry boots inside and out to remove residue.
Head Protection
Avoid cotton and felt hats when applying pesticides. Instead, wear a waterproof rain hat, washable, wide-brimmed hard or bump hat, or the hood of a disposable suit for head protection.
Hygiene Measures
Users should wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, or other activities and change into clean clothing immediately after handling pesticides. Contaminated clothing should be washed separately from other laundry.
Disposal of Contaminated Clothing and Equipment
Dispose of hooded disposable suits and items that are saturated with pesticides. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers resistance ratings for equipment.
It's important to note that the PPE recommendations provided align with the EPA's Worker Protection Standards and should be followed closely. For more thorough and category-specific PPE details, Ohio State University Extension’s pesticide safety education program webinars and training sessions offer in-depth instruction aligning with state regulations.
In summary, the core PPE requirements focus on respiratory protection, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and hygiene measures immediately after pesticide exposure to minimize risk, as recommended in OSU Extension safety modules and corresponding EPA pesticide labels. Always remember to never wear the same clothes without washing them first, and do not use respirators when applying pesticides unless specifically required by the pesticide label.
