Protect yourself and others against pesticides?

when is a substance considered as hazardous?

if it can harm people, plants, creatures not being treated, or the environment.

what does COSHH stand for?

control of substances hazardous to health 2002

what does COSHH require?

employers to control the substances that are hazardous to health.

what does COSHH apply to and when does it apply?

pesticides if it has the following statement on the product container/label

what do employers or self-employed people have to consider when doing a COSHH assessment?

whether anyone may be at risk from being exposed to pesticides.

what 4 things should a COSHH assessment include?

1. identify the hazards,

2. assess the risk,

3. formulate controls,

4. record the result of the assessment and revisit when necessary

who’s responsible for completing the COSHH assessment?

the employer

who’s responsible for following the COSHH assessment?

employees

what information is located on the product label?

• the hazard classification,

• the risk of safety phrases,

• any restrictions relating to who should use the product,

• other safety-related restrictions and conditions

what are 3 examples of the specific fields pesticides can be used on?

1. agriculture,

2. amenity,

3. forestry.

what is often the main route of exposure for most pesticides?

absorption through the skin from handling the concentrate or contaminated equipment and from exposure to pray drift.

how else can people become contaminated by pesticides?

breathing in the pesticide, swallowing a pesticide, injection through skin cuts.

symptoms of pesticide contamination?

nausea, headaches, dizziness, stomach pains, rash/blistering of skin

what measures should be decided on to control pesticide exposure?

• possess correct training,

• possess and use appropriate equipment,

• aware of the risks from the product,

• able to take correct action if exposure occurs,

• aware of signs of exposure and the appropriate steps to take if it happens.

what the 3 top priorities (in order) when using pesticides?

1. prevent exposure,

2. control exposure by ‘technical engineering or operational controls’,

3. use of PPE.

How can pesticide exposure be prevented?

alternative pest control method,

less dangerous pesticide used,

organising work to remove non-essential workers from treated area

what methods are there for controlling exposure during transport, mixing and loading product?

• purchase suitable sized containers to minimise handling requirements.

• products in water soluble bags,

• technical solutions to minimise contact such as closed-transfer systems for measuring and mixing pesticides and pressure-rinsing devices.

methods to control exposure during use and application?

• reduce dose of product wherever appropriate,

• use sprayer that has passed sprayer MOT and is well maintained,

• ensure nozzles are in good working condition and don’t leak,

• ensure sprayer is properly calibrated.

what is advised to be in tractor cabs?

a carbon filter and electric control of sprayer from the cab.

what does basic PPE include?

coveralls, gloves and boots.

where should PPE be washed?

at the application site

what is the order of removing PPE?

suit,

boots,

gloves,

face/eye protection.

what type of waste is contaminated PPE?

hazardous waste

how should pesticides be stored?

in a dedicated and purpose-built area,

in their original, labelled container,

in a fixed store,

what should be done to the area that houses pesticides?

should be checked with local authority and possible other agencies such as environment agency.

how long can pesticides be moved in ‘mobile’ storage?

less than 24 hours

what is used to separate the pesticide and the driver?

bulkhead

how can pesticides be transported?

pesticide mixed with water in the sprayer.

what should you have available when transporting pesticides?

a spill kit

what 2 options do you have if you have unwanted/unused concentrated pesticides?

1. ask the supplier to take it back,

2. send to a licenced waste disposal contractor (hazardous waste is very expensive).

what do you have to do to concentrated pesticide containers to make them not be classed as hazardous waste?

triple rinse with water

what do you need to be able to apply pesticides?

training,

specilaised equipment,

adhere to legal stipulations.

what assists wit effective pesticide application?

efficient record keeping

what needs to happen for pesticide application to comply with current laws?

many aspects of the process must be documented.

Pesticide storage record:

Time kept?

Give 2 reasons why?

update continuously,

1. helps with product management,

2. guides protocols in emergencies.

pesticide treatment record:

Time kept?

Reason?

at least 3 years

to show lawful use of products and to help keep track of periods before harvest/adding livestock.

what does LERAP stand for?

local environment risk assessment for pesticides.

LERAP:

Time kept?

Reason?

3 years

1. to demonstrate adherence to LERAP scheme rules (and maybe agri-environment schemes too)

what does COSHH stand for?

Control of substances hazardous to health

COSHH assessment:

Time kept?

Reason?

until revised.

legal requirement to assess risk

Checks on control measures:

Time Kept?

Reason?

5 years.

to demonstrate that equipment has been serviced

Monitoring exposure in the workplace:

Time kept?

Reason?

5 years.

to comply with the law when products require exposure monitoring.

Monitoring exposure of individual people and health records:

Time kept?

Reason?

40 years,

To comply with the law when products require exposure monitoring.

Non-hazardous waste disposal record:

Time kept?

Reason?

2 years,

Record of disposal

hazardous waste disposal record:

Time kept?

Reason?

3 years,

Hazardous waste ‘consignment notes’.

what must personal action plans include in case of emergencies?

procedures for…

• personal contamination,

• spillage of pesticides,

• suspected animal poisoning,

• fire.