No.No.No.No.No. 11111

WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUTPESTICIDES?

Pesticides can get into your body manydifferent ways. If they do, they can have bothacute and chronic effects on your health. If apesticide can hurt you or make you sick rightaway, that’s called an acute effect. If you haveto be exposed to a pesticide for a long time(months or years) before it makes you sick,that’s called a chronic effect. Pesticidescan make you sick by moving into your

WorkingSafely WithPesticides on Farms

body through your skin, mouth or eyes,or through your lungs as you breathe.

WHAT CAN A PESTICIDELABEL TELL ME?

Most labels have a special word in capi-tal letters on the front of the label. It tellsyou what the acute health hazard is.

The words you might see are:The words you might see are:The words you might see are:The words you might see are:The words you might see are:• DANGER, which means the pesticide

is extremely harmful.

• WARNING, which means moderatelyharmful.

• CAUTION, which means slightlyharmful, but still can make you sick.

If the label doesn’t have one of thesewords, it means that the pesticide is un-likely to harm you. However, you shouldhandle every pesticide carefully.

Workers who handle pesticides must be trained in ways they can

protect themselves. Learning the information in this leaflet will

help you do that. Handle means to mix, load, or apply pesticides;

repair or clean equipment that was used for pesticides; or

touch unrinsed pesticide containers.

HS-002Revised September 2003

akjgpoifuspaoifjgjopifusoaijfgspgiouasfjsapoigusijfsapiodfjpgijfakjgpoifuspaoifjgjopifusoaijfgspgiouasfjsapoigusijfsapiodfjpgijf

Pesticide NamePesticide NameEPA Registration No.EPA Registration No.

Active IngredientsActive Ingredients xx%Inert IngredientsInert Ingredients x%

DANGER

Statement of Practical TreatmentStatement of Practical Treatmentskdslfjtoensaoij [iafaetih[iajf[saodf[ sdpoifuvpodfu jfoigjpaiejfsjskdjfositoepiurasjfa[oisureoifapoijfpafaskl;fjapoigjoifdsafjaoeifjskdslfjtoensaoij [iafaetih[iajf[saodf[ sdpoifuvpodfu jfoigjpaiejfsjskdjfositoepiurasjfa[oisureoifapoijfpafaskl;fjapoigjoifdsafjaoeifj

Precautionary StatementsPrecautionary StatementsHazards to HumansPersonal Protective EquipmentEnvironmental Hazards

Hazards to HumansPersonal Protective EquipmentEnvironmental Hazards

Agricultural Use RequirementsAgricultural Use Requirementssgfopuglkfdoeutroijfosifjhgowefifsf;sgkosifefpoibfdjegsgfopuglkfdoeutroijfosifjhgowefifsf;sgkosifefpoibfdjeg

Directions for UseDirections for Useakjgpoifuspaoifjgjopifusoaijfgspgiouasfjsapoigusijfsapiodfjpgijfakjgpoifuspaoifjgjopifusoaijfgspgiouasfjsapoigusijfsapiodfjpgijf

Keeping pesticides off your hands is

often the hardest part of working

safely with pesticides. Once a pesticide

gets on your hands, it can get in your

eyes if you rub them, or in your mouth

if you touch your food. Always wash

your hands before eating, drinking,

smoking or going to the bathroom.

A1 • 2

You must use pesticides according to thedirections on the label. If you can’t readthe label, ask your foreman to tell youwhat it says. For some pesticides, Califor-nia has stricter rules than those on thelabel. Your foreman must know these rulesand tell you about them.

WHAT SAFETY RULES DOI NEED TO FOLLOW?

1. Read and follow the label directions.

2. Be especially careful with pesticidesbefore they are mixed with water.

3. Wear the right kind of protection.

FirFirFirFirFirst, read the labelst, read the labelst, read the labelst, read the label

Be especially careful withBe especially careful withBe especially careful withBe especially careful withpesticides before they are mixedpesticides before they are mixedpesticides before they are mixedpesticides before they are mixedwith wwith wwith wwith waterateraterater

st, read the labelThen look at the applica-tion situation and thingslike the weather, people orbuildings around you. Inhot weather, with nowind, it can be dangerous to apply pesti-cides in open areas because the pesticidesmay stay in the air. On the other hand, toomuch wind can make pesticides drift ontoother crops and cause damage, or ontopeople, making them sick. You must lookat all these conditions and decide if it’s safebefore you apply a pesticide. If you don’tthink it’s safe, talk to your foreman beforeapplying the pesticide.

Be especially careful withpesticides before they are mixedwith waterMoving pesticidecontainers before thepesticide is mixed withwater, and hand-pouring pesticidesfrom their containers,are the most dangerousparts of working with pesticides. Pesti-cides that are mixed with water and are inthe application equipment may be lessdangerous, but can still hurt you. Whenworking with these, or any pesticides, youshould always try to avoid getting pesticideon yourself.

WWWWWearing the right kind of protectionearing the right kind of protectionearing the right kind of protectionearing the right kind of protectionearing the right kind of protection

Protecting your eyes

• You must wear eye protection when youmix, load or apply pesticides; cleanor repair equipment; or flag for anaerial application.

• Eye protection can be safety glasses(with temple and brow protection),goggles, a face shield, or a full-facemask. Pilots can use a visor for eyeprotection. Regular eyeglasses andsunglasses DO NOT provide enoughprotection. Pesticides can easily getunder these glasses and into your eyes.The pesticide label will tell you whatkind of eye protection to wear.

Protecting your hands

• You must wear gloves when you mix,load or apply pesticides; clean or repairequipment that was used for pesticides;during all hand applications, and any-time the label says so. If the label doesnot say what type of glove you need,you must use gloves made of chemical-resistant material like rubber or neoprene.Never wear fabric-lined gloves unless thelabel specifically says you may.

• Your employer must give you clean ornew gloves every day you mix or loadpesticides, repair or clean pesticideequipment, or apply pesticides withhand-held equipment. You must wearthem.

• In a few cases, a pesticide label may tellyou not to wear gloves. If it does, do notwear them.

Protecting your lungs

• You must wear a respirator while usingpesticides that are harmful if youbreathe them. This includes fumigants,powders, dusts, and some liquids. Askyour foreman for a copy of the A-5safety leaflet for more information aboutrespirators.

• You must wear a respirator anytimethe pesticide label requires one, or ifyou are mixing, loading or applying

RRRRRememberememberememberemember, your, your, your, youremployer must giemployer must giemployer must giemployer must giveveveve

you all the peryou all the peryou all the peryou all the personalsonalsonalsonal

protectiprotectiprotectiprotective equipmentve equipmentve equipmentve equipmentyou need, and youyou need, and youyou need, and youyou need, and you

must wear it.must wear it.must wear it.must wear it.

emember, youremployer must giveyou all the personal

protective equipmentyou need, and you

must wear it.

A1 • 3

most pesticides on California’s list ofMinimal Exposure Pesticides. Askyour foreman for a copy of the A-10safety leaflet for more informationon Minimal Exposure Pesticides.

Protecting your body

• Your employer must giveyou clean coveralls (or along-sleeved shirt and longpants) every day that youwork with pesticides witheither the word DANGER orWARNING on the label.

• If you need to use chemical-resistant clothes, your em-ployer must give you a clean chemical-resistant suit that covers your body, anapron (if called for on the label), andprotection for your feet and head.

• When it’s hot outside, wearingchemical-resistant clothing canmake you so hot that you canget very sick. If the pesticidelabel says you must wear achemical-resistant suit, thenyou must not work in tempera-tures above 80°F (27°C)during the day or 85°F (29°C)at night.

• You must use a closed system if youmix or load liquid pesticides with theword DANGER on the label or pesti-cides on California’s minimal exposurelist. Ask your foreman for a copy of theA-3 safety leaflet that has more informa-tion on closed systems.

• Your employer must have clean water,soap and towels in the field. There mustbe enough water there to flush your eyesand wash off your entire body in case ofan accident. Your employer must alsogive you a place with clean towels, soapand water where you can change clothesand wash up at the end of the day.

HOW DO I LEARN ABOUT WORKINGSAFELY WITH PESTICIDES?

California law requires that you be trainedbefore you handle pesticides.

FFFFFor eacor eacor eacor each pesticide (or group ofh pesticide (or group ofh pesticide (or group ofh pesticide (or group ofpesticides that are alikpesticides that are alikpesticides that are alikpesticides that are alike ce ce ce chemi-hemi-hemi-hemi-cally), your training must includecally), your training must includecally), your training must includecally), your training must includeall of these thingsall of these thingsall of these thingsall of these things

or each pesticide (or group ofpesticides that are alike chemi-cally), your training must includeall of these things

Health effects

• how pesticides can make you sick• how you may feel or look if you get

pesticides in or on you• how pesticides can get in your body• how to prevent a heat-related illness,

how you may feel or look if you getsick from the heat, and first aid for thisillness

• ways to clean yourself if you get pesti-cides on you

• why special medical care is neededwhen you work with certain pesticides(the A-11 saftey leaflet has more infor-mation on this)

What to do in an emergency

• emergency first aid• how and where to get emergency

medical care

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• why you need to wear PPE• how to take care of the PPE• what PPE can and cannot protect you

against

Pesticide safety

• the meaning of safety statements on thepesticide label

• safety rules for handling pesticides• why you should not take pesticides or

pesticide containers home

• pesticide dangers to the environment

Your rights as an employee and whereyou can find more information aboutpesticides

Job safety information, safety leaflets andMaterial Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). TheMSDS tells you about the pesticide and itsdangers.

100

90

80

70

60

50

TEMPERATURE

HOT!!

If you don’t get all the

information you need in your

training, or from your foreman,

you should call your County

Agricultural Commissioner, or

the Department of Pesticide

Regulation (DPR) for more

information. You can find the

Commissioner’s number in

your local white pages phone

directory. DPR numbers are:

• Anaheim (714) 279-7690

• Fresno (559) 445-5401

• Sacramento (916) 324-4100

>>

No.No.No.No.No. 9 9 9 9 9

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I STARTFEELING SICK AT WORK?

Pesticides can make you sick.Symptoms of pesticide poison-ing can be the same as havingthe flu or other common ill-nesses. If you get a headache,dizziness, upset stomach, blurredvision, other flu-like symptoms, arash, or eye pain while working inthe field, ask your foreman to takeyou to the doctor. A pesticide mightcause these symptoms. You can also getskin rashes from plants and insects in thefield.

Your employer must plan for medical carebefore you start working where pesticideshave been used. If you think that pesticidesmade you sick or hurt you at work, hemust make sure that you are taken to thedoctor immediately. Do not drive yourselfto the doctor if you get sick at work. You

do not have to pay for medical care if youget sick or hurt from pesticides at work.

Emergency medical care isEmergency medical care isEmergency medical care isEmergency medical care isEmergency medical care isavailable atavailable atavailable atavailable atavailable at

What are mWhat are mWhat are mWhat are mWhat are my rights?y rights?y rights?y rights?y rights?1. You have the right to know about

pesticides that have been used recentlywhere you work. The farmer must keeprecords on

• when and where the pesticide wasapplied

• the restricted entry interval (REI)

This leaflet, the pesticide label and your training, tell you about

pesticide dangers at work. Your employer must know and help

you learn about the pesticides used where you work, and how

to protect yourself.

EMPLOYERS: This is the hazard communication leaflet for fieldworkers. Fill in the blank lines in this leaflet and display this handout where employees work in treated fields.

PesticideSafety RulesFor Farmworkers

HS-1587Revised September 2004

If you thinkIf you thinkIf you thinkIf you thinkIf you think

that pesticidesthat pesticidesthat pesticidesthat pesticidesthat pesticideshave made youhave made youhave made youhave made youhave made you

sicsicsicsicsick at work,k at work,k at work,k at work,k at work,

your employeryour employeryour employeryour employeryour employermust makmust makmust makmust makmust makeeeee

sure that yousure that yousure that yousure that yousure that you

are takare takare takare takare taken toen toen toen toen tothe doctorthe doctorthe doctorthe doctorthe doctor

immediatelyimmediatelyimmediatelyimmediatelyimmediately.....

A9 • 2

• pesticide name• active ingredient name• the EPA registration number

Your employer must tell you where thisinformation is kept as part of your training,and let you see the records anytime youwant without having to ask.

YYYYYou can find information aboutou can find information aboutou can find information aboutou can find information aboutou can find information aboutrecent pesticide use at (recent pesticide use at (recent pesticide use at (recent pesticide use at (recent pesticide use at (employeremployeremployeremployeremployers,s,s,s,s,this is the application-specificthis is the application-specificthis is the application-specificthis is the application-specificthis is the application-specificinformationinformationinformationinformationinformation)))))

2. You have the right to report unsafe workconditions without being punished orfired. Neither the farmer nor your em-ployer will be told who made the com-plaint. Your statements about the safetyproblems must be checked out right away.

Pesticides are only one kind of dangerat your work. If you have a complaintabout a pesticide safety problem, youshould call thecounty agricul-tural commis-sioner.

Other health andsafety complaints(bathrooms, drinking water, etc.) shouldbe filed with the Cali-fornia Department ofIndustrial Relations-Cal/OSHA office. Youcan find the tele-phone numbers in thegovernment pages of the telephone book.

3. If you get sick or hurt at work, youhave the right to file for worker’s com-pensation. Workers’ compensation willpay for your medical costs, and some-times, lost pay.

4. You have the right to look at MaterialSafety Data Sheets (MSDS) and recordsfor all pesticides used where you work.The MSDS tells you about the pesticideand its dangers

RRRRRecords of all pesticides used andecords of all pesticides used andecords of all pesticides used andecords of all pesticides used andecords of all pesticides used andMSDSs are kMSDSs are kMSDSs are kMSDSs are kMSDSs are kept atept atept atept atept at

Your employer must explain your rights toyou. If you need more help in understandingyour rights, go to your local county agricul-tural commissioner’s office, local legal aid,worker’s rights office, union or the Depart-ment of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

The DPR phone numberThe DPR phone numberThe DPR phone numberThe DPR phone numberThe DPR phone numbers are:s are:s are:s are:s are:• Anaheim (714) 279-7690• Fresno (559) 243-8111• Sacramento (916) 324-4100

WHAT TRAINING DO I NEED?You must be trained before working in fieldswhere pesticides have been used recently.Then you must be trained every five yearsafter that.

WHAT DOES MY TRAINING COVER?

YYYYYou must be told aboutou must be told aboutou must be told aboutou must be told aboutou must be told aboutHealth effects• how pesticides can injure you or make

you sick• how you may feel or look if you get

pesticides in or on you• ways pesticides can enter your body

Pesticide safety• why you should wash after work• what posting signs and restricted entry

intervals mean• the places at your work where you might

get pesticides in or on you• first aid and where to get emergency

medical care• why you should not take pesticides home• job safety information and• your rights as an employee.

County Offices

State Offices

Agricultural

CommissionerAgricultural

Commissioner

Industrial

RelationsIndustrial

Relations

Government Pages

YYYYYou have theou have theou have theou have theou have the

right to reporright to reporright to reporright to reporright to reportttttunsafe workunsafe workunsafe workunsafe workunsafe work

conditionsconditionsconditionsconditionsconditions

without beingwithout beingwithout beingwithout beingwithout beingpunished orpunished orpunished orpunished orpunished or

fired. Neither thefired. Neither thefired. Neither thefired. Neither thefired. Neither the

farmer nor yourfarmer nor yourfarmer nor yourfarmer nor yourfarmer nor youremployer will beemployer will beemployer will beemployer will beemployer will be

told who madetold who madetold who madetold who madetold who made

the complaint.the complaint.the complaint.the complaint.the complaint.

A9 • 3

If you have to mix or apply pesticides, youmust have more training on how to do thatjob safely.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELFFROM PESTICIDES?

Pesticide labels tell you how to protectyourself from pesticides. That is why thelabel tells you to wear certain kinds of pro-tection (such as gloves or pants and a long-sleeved shirt), and why there is a time aftera pesticide application when you cannot goback into a field, called a restricted entryinterval (REI). Wash your hands beforeeating, smoking or going to the bathroom.Take a bath or shower and use soap afterworking in fields to wash off pesticides.

WHAT DOES ‘RESTRICTED ENTRYINTERVAL’ MEAN?

A restricted entry interval (REI) is the timeafter a pesticide is used that you are notallowed to go into the field. If you touch aplant during an REI, you might becomesick. After a pesticide is used on a plant itbegins to go away. This takes longer forsome pesticides than for others.

If you might go into or even nearIf you might go into or even nearIf you might go into or even nearIf you might go into or even nearIf you might go into or even neara sprayed field or greenhouse, thea sprayed field or greenhouse, thea sprayed field or greenhouse, thea sprayed field or greenhouse, thea sprayed field or greenhouse, thefarmer or your foreman must tellfarmer or your foreman must tellfarmer or your foreman must tellfarmer or your foreman must tellfarmer or your foreman must tellyouyouyouyouyou• about the pesticide used• what you must do to protect yourself• how long to stay out of the field

Follow the directions about staying out ofsprayed fields and greenhouses.

Can I ever go into a field that hasCan I ever go into a field that hasCan I ever go into a field that hasCan I ever go into a field that hasCan I ever go into a field that hasan REI in efan REI in efan REI in efan REI in efan REI in effect?fect?fect?fect?fect?Usually you must not go into a field untilthe REI is over. There are a few caseswhen you can. You may go into a fieldduring the REI if you are doing a jobwhere you will not touch anything thatcould have pesticides on it. For example,if you are driving a tractor.

DANGER PELIGRO

KEEP OUTKEEP OUTNO ENTRENO ENTRE

REI Expiration Date:REI Expiration Date:

Grower:

Field Identification:Field Identification:

There are a few other times when you cango into a field during an REI. However,you cannot go into the field until at leastfour hours after the pesticide applicationwas finished. Then there are special rulesthat apply. Your foreman must know theserules and tell you about them before yougo into the field. He must also tell you howlong you can work in that field in one day.For some kinds of jobs, you may only beallowed to work in that field for one hour.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVETO GO INTO A FIELD DURING THE REI?

YYYYYour foreman must tell youour foreman must tell youour foreman must tell youour foreman must tell youour foreman must tell you• the name of the pesticide sprayed and

how long the REI is• ways the pesticide can make you sick• first aid• how you may feel or look if you get

pesticides in or on you• what PPE you must wear• how to keep from getting sick from

being too hot• how you may feel or look if you get

sick from the heat, and first aid for this• why you need to wash after you leave the

field where pesticides have been used

YYYYYour employer must giour employer must giour employer must giour employer must giour employer must give you allve you allve you allve you allve you allthe PPE you need to wear duringthe PPE you need to wear duringthe PPE you need to wear duringthe PPE you need to wear duringthe PPE you need to wear duringthe REI; and soap, wthe REI; and soap, wthe REI; and soap, wthe REI; and soap, wthe REI; and soap, water andater andater andater andater andtowels to wtowels to wtowels to wtowels to wtowels to wash when you takash when you takash when you takash when you takash when you take ofe ofe ofe ofe offffffyour PPE.your PPE.your PPE.your PPE.your PPE.

If you see a sign that looks likIf you see a sign that looks likIf you see a sign that looks likIf you see a sign that looks likIf you see a sign that looks likeeeeethis, it means stay out of the field!this, it means stay out of the field!this, it means stay out of the field!this, it means stay out of the field!this, it means stay out of the field!

TTTTTakakakakake a bath ore a bath ore a bath ore a bath ore a bath orshower and useshower and useshower and useshower and useshower and use

soap afsoap afsoap afsoap afsoap after workingter workingter workingter workingter working

in fields to win fields to win fields to win fields to win fields to washashashashashofofofofoff pesticides orf pesticides orf pesticides orf pesticides orf pesticides or

plant juices.plant juices.plant juices.plant juices.plant juices.

A9 • 4

PESTICIDES KNOWN TO THE STATE TO CAUSE CANCER

PESTICIDES KNOWN TO THE STATE TO CAUSEBIRTH DEFECTS OR REPRODUCTIVE HARM

Arsenic acidArsenic pentoxideArsenic trioxideCacodylic acidCaptanChlorothalonilChromic acidCreosoteDaminozideDDVP (dichlorvos)p-Dichlorobenzene1,3-DichloropropeneDioctyl phthalateDipropyl isocinchomeronateDiuronEthylene oxideFenoxycarbFolpet

AmitrazArsenic pentoxideArsenic trioxideBromoxynil octanoateChlorsulfuronDiclofop methylDisodium cyano-dithioimidocarbonateEPTC (ethyl dipropyl-thiocarbamate)Ethylene glycol monomethyl etherEthylene oxideFenoxaprop ethylFluazifop butylFluvalinateHydramethylnonLinuronMetam sodiumMetiram

Methyl bromide (as a structural fumigant)MyclobutanilNabamNitrapyrinOxadiazonOxydemeton-methylPotassium dimethyldithiocarbamatePropargiteResmethrinSodium dimethyldithiocarbamateStreptomycin sulfateThiophanate methylTriadimefonTributyltin methacrylateTriforineVinclozolinWarfarin

Formaldehyde (gas)IprodioneLindaneMancozebManebMetam sodiumMetiramOxadiazonPentachlorophenolPropargitePronamide (propyzamide)Propylene oxideSodium dichromateTerrazoleThiodicarbVinclozolin

PROPOSITION 65

In 1986, a law called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition65) was passed. Proposition 65 requires California to make a list of chemicals that cause cancer,birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The Proposition 65 list contains many differentchemicals, including dyes, solvents, pesticides, drugs, and food additives. If a pesticide ison the Proposition 65 list, your employer must warn you if you could be exposed toenough pesticide to result in a significant health risk. Your employer may also choose towarn you if a pesticide on the Proposition 65 list has been used, even if health problemsare not likely. Your employer is required to keep information on each pesticide applicationand allow you to look at it. If you are not sure of the record location, ask your foreman.The following table lists pesticides that are on the Proposition 65 list and that might beused in California.

CURRENTLY REGISTERED PESTICIDES ON THE PROPOSITION 65 LIST

If you don’t get all the

information you need in your

training, or from your foreman,

you should call your County

Agricultural Commissioner, or

the Department of Pesticide

Regulation (DPR) for more

information. You can find the

Commissioner’s number in

your local white pages phone

directory. DPR numbers are:

• Anaheim (714) 279-7690

• Fresno (559) 243-8111

• Sacramento (916) 324-4100

>>

A9 • 5

COLA

SOAP

Safety Tips

• Wear clothes with longsleeves and long pants,shoes or boots, socks, a hatand/or scarf and gloves

• Make sure they are cleanand without holes

• Always wash your handsbefore eating, drinking,smoking, chewing gum orgoing to the bathroom

• Do not cook food withwood found in the field

• Take a bath or shower assoon as you get homefrom work

• Wash with soap & waterand use shampoo on yourhair

• Put on clean clothes

• Pesticides get on workclothes and then on yourskin

• Wash work clothes beforewearing them again

• Wash work clothes separatefrom other clothes

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN

PESTICIDEPESTICIDE

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY

FIRST AID

• Never put pesticides infood containers

• Do not take farm pesticidesor their containers home

• Keep children away frompesticides

• Pesticides get on your skin and clothes when you touch sprayedplants, soil, and irrigation water or are exposed to spray drift

• They can move from your clothes and onto your skin

• Some pesticides easily go through your skin and can make you sick

• Tell your foreman if you are sick or hurt at work

• If the illness/injury is work-related, your employer will pay for allmedical care of that illness

• If the condition is work-related, you may be paid for your time offwork while sick or hurt

Have someone else driHave someone else driHave someone else driHave someone else driHave someone else drive you to the doctor if youve you to the doctor if youve you to the doctor if youve you to the doctor if youve you to the doctor if youare sicare sicare sicare sicare sick or injuredk or injuredk or injuredk or injuredk or injured

• Wash immediately with theclosest clean water if pesti-cides are spilled or sprayedon your clothes or skin

• Change into clean clothes• Tell your foreman about the

spill after washing

• Wash if your eyes or skinbegin to itch or burn

• Use lots of water• Tell your foreman you

should go to a doctor

• If you feel sick at work(headache, stomach ache,vomiting, dizzy) tell yourforeman

• He or she can make sureyou are taken to a doctor

• Have someone else driveyou to the doctor if you aresick or injured

ALWAYS REMEMBER