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Using agricultural chemicals safely 

By Dr William Hart and Isabel Carter.

1.

  • Read the manufacturers instructions carefully before buying.
  • Get help if you cannot understand them.
  • Only use chemicals when recommended, and when you are sure they are needed.

2.

  • Never buy cheap pesticides which have been split up into small bags or tins, which are not labelled, and do not contain any instructions.
  • They may kill your pests – but they may also kill you and your family.

3.

  • Always keep chemicals in a safe place. A special store cupboard or box which can be locked, out of the way of children, is very important. This should not be where the family lives. A separate store house is best.
  • Never store pesticides near animal or human foods or seeds.
  • Only buy and store pesticides in their original containers. Never store pesticides in old food and drink cans or bottles which still have their original labels. Mark them: “DANGER!” Do not store pesticides for too long.

4.

  • Wear proper protective clothing whenever you are handling pesticides. Get dressed before you mix up the chemicals. Mixing is the most dangerous time when the chemical is most concentrated.
  • This illustration shows what you should wear. You should cover all your skin.
  • If you cannot get a proper mask, wear a damp cloth over your mouth.
  • If you cannot get proper rubber gloves, you can use strong plastic bags with no holes.
  • If you cannot get proper overalls, use an old jacket or a long sleeved shirt and long trousers.
  • If the weather is very hot – do not leave off clothing. Instead spray late in the afternoon. If spraying a crop higher than your knees wrap and tie a plastic sheet around your waist.

5.

  • Mix up the chemicals well away from where children play or food is washed.
  • Often with liquids you are told to use a special measuring cup. If you do not have an accurate measure – get help.
  • Never guess how much chemical is needed.
  • If you spill concentrated chemical on the ground, cover with earth and dig up. Wrap in paper and throw this away carefully. Do not leave for children or animals to find.

6.

  • Never spray, or apply dust, into the wind. The chemical will blow into your face.
  • Always spray with the wind behind you.
  • Apply the chemical late in the afternoon whenever possible. This will do less damage to helpful insects like bees.
  • If the chemical touches the skin wash off immediately.
  • Do not allow other people to come close while you are spraying.

7.

  • When you have finished, wash your clothes well. Wash or shower yourself.
  • If you have been using a spray tank, do not wash it in or near a river or pond. You may harm people and animals who get water there.

8.

  • It is very important to follow the instructions about when to pick and eat vegetables which have been sprayed or dusted. You may have to wait a certain number of days or weeks before it is safe to eat the vegetables. (eg Ambush one week, Furadan six weeks!!)
  • Always wash all vegetables before eating.
  • When you have finished with chemical containers, bury them safely. Never allow them to be used for other purposes.
 

This page was last updated on 05 December 2005