Pesticide StoragePesticide Storage

An educational module for An educational module for the Pesticide Environmental the Pesticide Environmental

Stewardship Web SiteStewardship Web Site

Created by: Wayne G. Buhler, Ph.D.Pesticide Safety Education Specialist

North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC

Proper storage protects…Proper storage protects…

PeoplePeople AnimalsAnimals EnvironmentEnvironment

It also prevents…It also prevents…

Damage to the pesticide and its containerDamage to the pesticide and its container Theft , vandalism, and unauthorized useTheft , vandalism, and unauthorized use

Always read and follow the labelAlways read and follow the label

Before purchasing the Before purchasing the product make sure product make sure that you can meet the that you can meet the minimum minimum requirements for safe requirements for safe storage.storage.

Look for statements Look for statements under “Storage and under “Storage and Disposal”, “Note”, or Disposal”, “Note”, or “General “General Instructions”.Instructions”.

Label statementsLabel statements

Mostly generalMostly general ““store in cool, dry store in cool, dry

area”area” ““Keep out of reach…”Keep out of reach…”

Some specificSome specific Temperature and Temperature and

humidity restrictionshumidity restrictions Allow for state and Allow for state and

local laws to be local laws to be stricterstricter

Material Safety Data SheetMaterial Safety Data Sheet

Available at Available at dealerships or on-linedealerships or on-line

Lists physical and Lists physical and chemical propertieschemical properties

Identifies hazards and Identifies hazards and first aidfirst aid

Provides additional Provides additional handling and storage handling and storage informationinformation

Educational module outlineEducational module outline

Storage building and locationStorage building and location Key features of all storage facilitiesKey features of all storage facilities Safety requirements and guidelinesSafety requirements and guidelines Planning for emergenciesPlanning for emergencies Ways to reduce storageWays to reduce storage

Choosing a locationChoosing a location

Consult with local fire marshal for codes and regs.Consult with local fire marshal for codes and regs. Locate in an area where flooding is unlikelyLocate in an area where flooding is unlikely Maintain a 50-100 ft. distance from wells, surface waters, Maintain a 50-100 ft. distance from wells, surface waters,

(downwind from) animal feeding stations, and dwellings.(downwind from) animal feeding stations, and dwellings.

Storage buildingStorage building Several options to Several options to

exploreexplore High volume of pesticides High volume of pesticides

should be stored in their should be stored in their own facilityown facility

Plans available in print or Plans available in print or on-lineon-line

Many plans have Many plans have engineering specs for engineering specs for mix/load area with mix/load area with storage and cleanup storage and cleanup facilitiesfacilities

J. Moody, NCCES

Size depends on needSize depends on need

Storage shedStorage shed Portable storage unitPortable storage unit Designated area Designated area

inside another facilityinside another facilityT. Bowman, NCDA&CS

T. Bowman, NCDA&CS

Cabinets for small amountsCabinets for small amounts

Key features of all storage facilitiesKey features of all storage facilities

Prevent unauthorized accessPrevent unauthorized access Protect the environmentProtect the environment Maintain appropriate conditionsMaintain appropriate conditions

Keep it secureKeep it secure

Make sure all Make sure all entrances are locked entrances are locked when not in usewhen not in use

Gated entrances Gated entrances should be locked as should be locked as wellwell

Limit access to keysLimit access to keys

Security lighting helps deter crimeSecurity lighting helps deter crime

Post warning signs at entrancesPost warning signs at entrances

T. Bowman, NCDA&CS

Protecting the environmentProtecting the environment

Floors should be Floors should be made of non-porous made of non-porous material, free of material, free of crackscracks

Allows for easier Allows for easier cleanupcleanup

Construct floors with Construct floors with 2- to 4-inch lip or 2- to 4-inch lip or recess below the level recess below the level of the doors to of the doors to contain large spillscontain large spills

The problem with drainsThe problem with drains

Existing floor drains Existing floor drains must be sealed must be sealed unless connected to a unless connected to a tank that can be tank that can be cleaned outcleaned out

Outflow must be Outflow must be captured and captured and disposed as disposed as hazardous wastehazardous waste

NCDA&CS

Non-absorbent shelving materialNon-absorbent shelving material

Metal shelves with lip Metal shelves with lip to contain spillsto contain spills

Wooden shelves Wooden shelves coated with epoxy coated with epoxy paint or plasticpaint or plastic

Containment trays or Containment trays or panspans

Proper Conditions: Ventilation and Proper Conditions: Ventilation and HumidityHumidity

Constant ventilation Constant ventilation needed to remove needed to remove vapors, excess heat, and vapors, excess heat, and humidityhumidity

Provides safe conditions Provides safe conditions for workers and extends for workers and extends shelf life of pesticidesshelf life of pesticides

Use exhaust fans or Use exhaust fans or passive ventspassive vents

Exhaust air directly to Exhaust air directly to outsideoutside

May be reduced in winterMay be reduced in winterNCDA&CS

Proper Conditions: TemperatureProper Conditions: Temperature

Maintain temps between Maintain temps between 40 and 100 degrees F.40 and 100 degrees F.

Freezing may cause Freezing may cause chemical separation and chemical separation and container failurecontainer failure

Excess heat may cause Excess heat may cause explosion or fireexplosion or fire

Minimize fire hazards if Minimize fire hazards if you provide heatingyou provide heating

Consider spark-proof electrical Consider spark-proof electrical fixtures and controlsfixtures and controls

Which one of the following is not an Which one of the following is not an important feature of a storage facility?important feature of a storage facility?

a.a. Locked entrancesLocked entrances

b.b. VentilationVentilation

c.c. High-peaked roofHigh-peaked roof

d.d. Warning signsWarning signs

Which one of the following is not an Which one of the following is not an important feature of a storage facility?important feature of a storage facility?

a.a. Locked entrancesLocked entrances

b.b. VentilationVentilation

c.c. High-peaked roofHigh-peaked roof

d.d. Warning signsWarning signs

The answer is c.

The minimum distance between The minimum distance between a storage facility and a well is:a storage facility and a well is:

a.a. 25 feet25 feet

b.b. 50 feet50 feet

c.c. 75 feet 75 feet

d.d. 100 feet100 feet

The minimum distance between The minimum distance between a storage facility and a well is:a storage facility and a well is:

a.a. 25 feet25 feet

b.b. 50 feet50 feet

c.c. 75 feet 75 feet

d.d. 100 feet100 feet

The answer is b.

A practical temperature range to A practical temperature range to maintain inside storage facilities is:maintain inside storage facilities is:

a.a. 40 to 100 degrees F40 to 100 degrees F

b.b. 60 to 80 degrees F60 to 80 degrees F

c.c. 30 to 90 degrees F30 to 90 degrees F

d.d. 50 to 110 degrees F50 to 110 degrees F

A practical temperature range to A practical temperature range to maintain inside storage facilities is:maintain inside storage facilities is:

a.a. 40 to 100 degrees F40 to 100 degrees F

b.b. 60 to 80 degrees F60 to 80 degrees F

c.c. 30 to 90 degrees F30 to 90 degrees F

d.d. 50 to 110 degrees F50 to 110 degrees F

The answer is a.

Storage rulesStorage rules

Do not eat, drink, or Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the storage smoke in the storage area.area.

Do not store Do not store pesticides in a way pesticides in a way that could that could contaminate seed or contaminate seed or animal feed.animal feed.

Storage rulesStorage rules

Never store pesticides in milk jugs, soft drink Never store pesticides in milk jugs, soft drink bottles, fruit jars, or medicine bottles. bottles, fruit jars, or medicine bottles.

Do not keep gasoline or other combustibles with Do not keep gasoline or other combustibles with pesticides.pesticides.

Safe storage practices/rulesSafe storage practices/rules Use original labeled containerUse original labeled container If container is damaged, If container is damaged,

transfer to a container suitable transfer to a container suitable for the pesticidefor the pesticide

If product label is damaged or If product label is damaged or becomes unreadable, print the becomes unreadable, print the following minimum information following minimum information on container or tagon container or tag

Common nameCommon name Percentage of each active Percentage of each active

ingredientingredient EPA registration numberEPA registration number Signal word Signal word Use classification (restricted or Use classification (restricted or

general use)general use)

NCDA&CS

Safe storage practicesSafe storage practices

Keep storage area organized and clean of debrisKeep storage area organized and clean of debris Inspect containers regularlyInspect containers regularly Keep metal containers and bags off the floorKeep metal containers and bags off the floor Place heavier containers and liquids on lower shelves.Place heavier containers and liquids on lower shelves.

T. Bowman, NCDA&CS

Safe storage practicesSafe storage practices

If practical, store If practical, store highly flammable/ highly flammable/ volatile pesticides volatile pesticides separatelyseparately

Designate a bin or Designate a bin or area for containers area for containers prepared for recyclingprepared for recycling

T. Bowman, NCDA&CS

Be prepared for mishapsBe prepared for mishaps

Provide clean water in Provide clean water in case of contact with case of contact with skin or eyesskin or eyes

If running water not If running water not practical, store water practical, store water in a large containerin a large container

Keep a first aid kit Keep a first aid kit nearbynearby

Spill cleanupSpill cleanup

Spill kit: absorbent, Spill kit: absorbent, broom, shovel, and a broom, shovel, and a container with lidcontainer with lid

More supplies may be More supplies may be needed for high needed for high storage volumesstorage volumes

Check MSDS for Check MSDS for materials needed to materials needed to deactivate spillsdeactivate spills

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

PPE should be kept PPE should be kept nearby, but not in the nearby, but not in the storage room to storage room to prevent contamination prevent contamination

May be needed to May be needed to respond to spills respond to spills before entering before entering storage areastorage area

Plan for emergenciesPlan for emergencies

Train workers on how Train workers on how to respond to spills, to respond to spills, fires and other fires and other emergenciesemergencies

Keep a fire Keep a fire extinguisher that is extinguisher that is approved for chemical approved for chemical fires nearbyfires nearby

Inspect the Inspect the extinguisher on a extinguisher on a regular basisregular basis

National Fire Protection Assoc. signNational Fire Protection Assoc. sign

‘‘704’ sign alerts first responders to hazards of storage contents704’ sign alerts first responders to hazards of storage contents Check with your local Fire Dept. and building codeCheck with your local Fire Dept. and building code

Pre-fire planPre-fire plan Develop emergency response plan with fire dept.Develop emergency response plan with fire dept. Invite emergency personnel to the facilityInvite emergency personnel to the facility Pre-fire plan available at: Pre-fire plan available at:

http://ipm.ncsu.edu/pesticidesafety/http://ipm.ncsu.edu/pesticidesafety/

Keep recordsKeep records

File pre-fire plan and File pre-fire plan and storage inventory storage inventory (include labeling (include labeling information)information)

Save at more than Save at more than one locationone location

NCDA&CS

The best way to store pesticides is in:The best way to store pesticides is in:

a.a. Any empty pesticide containerAny empty pesticide container

b.b. Glass bottlesGlass bottles

c.c. Any unbreakable containerAny unbreakable container

d.d. The original, labeled containerThe original, labeled container

The best way to store pesticides is in:The best way to store pesticides is in:

a.a. Any empty pesticide containerAny empty pesticide container

b.b. Glass bottlesGlass bottles

c.c. Any unbreakable containerAny unbreakable container

d.d. The original, labeled containerThe original, labeled container

The answer is d.

When a pesticide label gets When a pesticide label gets unreadable:unreadable:

a.a. Throw the container away following state Throw the container away following state regulations for proper disposalregulations for proper disposal

b.b. Write the important information on the Write the important information on the container with permanent markercontainer with permanent marker

c.c. Request that the pesticide company Request that the pesticide company send you new productsend you new product

d.d. Use the pesticide immediatelyUse the pesticide immediately

When a pesticide label gets When a pesticide label gets unreadable:unreadable:

a.a. Throw the container away following state Throw the container away following state regulations for proper disposalregulations for proper disposal

b.b. Write the important information on the Write the important information on the container with permanent markercontainer with permanent marker

c.c. Request that the pesticide company Request that the pesticide company send you new productsend you new product

d.d. Use the pesticide immediatelyUse the pesticide immediately

The answer is b

Ways to reduce storageWays to reduce storage Track your pesticide usage so Track your pesticide usage so

that you buy only the amount that you buy only the amount you need for a seasonyou need for a season

Purchase pesticides in Purchase pesticides in returnable, refillable containersreturnable, refillable containers

Return unopened containers to Return unopened containers to dealerdealer

Write purchase date on all Write purchase date on all containers and use on a first-containers and use on a first-in, first-used basis (helps track in, first-used basis (helps track shelf life, as well)shelf life, as well)

Accept delivery shortly before Accept delivery shortly before applicationapplication

Key pointsKey points

Choose location wiselyChoose location wisely Keep storage area secureKeep storage area secure Maintain appropriate conditionsMaintain appropriate conditions Store containers safelyStore containers safely Be prepared for mishaps and emergenciesBe prepared for mishaps and emergencies Recognize your responsibilityRecognize your responsibility

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Thank you to Tom Bowman, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rick Johnson, Penn State University, and Jerry Moody, NC Cooperative Extension Service for providing some of the images used in this presentation.

Appreciation is also extended to Candy Orr, NC State University Field Labs Health and Safety Coordinator, and Robert Bradley, NC State University Grounds Manager for providing access to storage facilities photographed onthe campus of NC State University.

The use of brand and company names and any mention or listing of commercial productsor services in this module does not imply endorsement by the author or NC State Universitynor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.