Ag. Chemical SafetyAg. Chemical Safety

East Robertson High SchoolEast Robertson High School

InstructorInstructor

Mr. GregoryMr. Gregory

What is the WPS?What is the WPS?

Worker Protection StandardWorker Protection Standard WPS is a law that sets the rules for WPS is a law that sets the rules for

proper use and disposal of chemicals.proper use and disposal of chemicals. WPS determines the clothing and WPS determines the clothing and

protective equipment needed for protective equipment needed for employees of agriculture operations.employees of agriculture operations.

Types of PesticidesTypes of Pesticides

Insecticides- Kills InsectsInsecticides- Kills Insects Miticides – Kills Mites and AphidsMiticides – Kills Mites and Aphids Fungicides – Kills Fungal organismsFungicides – Kills Fungal organisms Herbicides – Kills unwanted plantsHerbicides – Kills unwanted plants Rodenticides – Kills RodentsRodenticides – Kills Rodents Nematocides – Kills NematodesNematocides – Kills Nematodes Molluscicides – Kills Mollusks (snails, Molluscicides – Kills Mollusks (snails,

slugs)slugs)

Ways Chemicals Enter The Ways Chemicals Enter The BodyBody

Oral Contact (by swallowing)Oral Contact (by swallowing) Dermal Contact (by contacting skin)Dermal Contact (by contacting skin) Inhalation (by breathing)Inhalation (by breathing)

Types of ToxicityTypes of Toxicity

Acute Toxicity – the measure of how Acute Toxicity – the measure of how poisonous a chemical is after one poisonous a chemical is after one exposure.exposure.

Chronic Toxicity – the measure of Chronic Toxicity – the measure of how poisonous a chemical is after a how poisonous a chemical is after a period of time or after repeated period of time or after repeated exposures. exposures.

What must be on the LabelWhat must be on the Label

Name and Address Name and Address of Manufacturerof Manufacturer

Trade NameTrade Name Active IngredientsActive Ingredients Type of PesticideType of Pesticide Form of Substance Form of Substance

(WP, D, E, ect…)(WP, D, E, ect…) EPA NumberEPA Number Storage & DisposalStorage & Disposal

What must be on the LabelWhat must be on the Label

Hazard StatementHazard Statement Directions for useDirections for use Net contentsNet contents WPS Regulations WPS Regulations

for that productfor that product

What are the Signal WordsWhat are the Signal Words

Caution – Slightly Toxic (1 oz – 1 pint) Caution – Slightly Toxic (1 oz – 1 pint) LD. LD.

Warning – Moderately Toxic ( 1 tsp – Warning – Moderately Toxic ( 1 tsp – 1 oz) LD.1 oz) LD.

Danger – Highly Toxic ( a few drops – Danger – Highly Toxic ( a few drops – 1 tsp) LD. Will also have a skull and 1 tsp) LD. Will also have a skull and Crossbones on the label.Crossbones on the label.

Reentry time (Danger – Reentry time (Danger – Poison)Poison)

Chemicals carrying the word “Danger Chemicals carrying the word “Danger – Poison” have a reentry time of 48 – Poison” have a reentry time of 48 hours after application. This hours after application. This information should be posted for all information should be posted for all workers or visitors to the farm or workers or visitors to the farm or greenhouse. Do not enter these greenhouse. Do not enter these areas without proper PPE (Personal areas without proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) during the Protective Equipment) during the time posted. time posted.

Reentry Time (Warning)Reentry Time (Warning)

Areas treated with these agents Areas treated with these agents should not be reentered for 24 hours should not be reentered for 24 hours after application. The after application. The owner/operator is required to post owner/operator is required to post this information clearly.this information clearly.

The Owner/Operator is responsible The Owner/Operator is responsible for any damages that occur as a for any damages that occur as a result of the application. result of the application.

Reentry Time (Caution)Reentry Time (Caution)

People may reenter the area as soon People may reenter the area as soon as the dust or spray mist has settled as the dust or spray mist has settled in the area.in the area.

Areas treated with chemicals that Areas treated with chemicals that carry no label can be reentered carry no label can be reentered immediately.immediately.

What should you wearWhat should you wear

When applying When applying chemicals you need chemicals you need to wear appropriate to wear appropriate PPE (Personal PPE (Personal Protective Protective Equipment).Equipment).

The PPE should The PPE should match the match the equipment that is equipment that is recommended on recommended on the product label.the product label.

What should you wearWhat should you wear

Respirator with the Respirator with the proper filters. proper filters. Paint filters will Paint filters will not work for Ag not work for Ag Chemicals.Chemicals.

Eye Protection to Eye Protection to prevent chemical prevent chemical splashing into your splashing into your eyes.eyes.

What should you wearWhat should you wear

Chemical Suit Chemical Suit made of a material made of a material that does not that does not absorb chemicals.absorb chemicals.

Rubber Gloves and Rubber Gloves and Boots. The sleeve Boots. The sleeve of the suit should of the suit should go over the gloves go over the gloves and boots.and boots.

What must the Employer What must the Employer provideprovide

1. PPE1. PPE 2. Water, Paper Towels, and Soap at 2. Water, Paper Towels, and Soap at

worksite.worksite. 3. Phone number for emergency help and 3. Phone number for emergency help and

directions to the Hospital, Clinic, ect…directions to the Hospital, Clinic, ect… Training to employees on Chemical Safety Training to employees on Chemical Safety

and WPS.and WPS. This must be provided in proper language.This must be provided in proper language.

Chemical First AidChemical First Aid

Read all Label instructions before use.Read all Label instructions before use. If spilled on the skin wash with soap If spilled on the skin wash with soap

and water to dilute the chemical. Call and water to dilute the chemical. Call Doctor have EPA registration number Doctor have EPA registration number handy.handy.

Remove any contaminated clothing. Remove any contaminated clothing. Put on clean clothes or wrap in Put on clean clothes or wrap in blankets. Cover any chemical burns blankets. Cover any chemical burns with loose clean cloth. with loose clean cloth.

Chemical First AidChemical First Aid

For eye poisoning, hold the eye open For eye poisoning, hold the eye open and flush for five minutes.and flush for five minutes.

For inhalation victims, carry them to For inhalation victims, carry them to fresh air, loosen clothes, and apply fresh air, loosen clothes, and apply CPR if breathing has stopped.CPR if breathing has stopped.

Always consult doctor as soon as Always consult doctor as soon as signs of poisoning appear.signs of poisoning appear.

How do I work SafelyHow do I work Safely

Wear PPEWear PPE Have water and Have water and

soap available to soap available to clean spills.clean spills.

Read label Read label carefully.carefully.

Use extra caution Use extra caution with concentrated with concentrated chemicals.chemicals.

Only mix enough to Only mix enough to do the job.do the job.

How do I work SafelyHow do I work Safely

Protect against Protect against inhalation and inhalation and splashessplashes

Consider the Consider the weather conditions.weather conditions.

Store and dispose Store and dispose of chemicals of chemicals properly.properly.

The End