Field Sprayer Safety Kit

Kevin Fry [email protected]

724-548-3447

What’s in Your Toolbox?

Plugged Nozzles

Boom Nozzle

Dermal Exposure • 97% of all pesticide exposures are dermal • The most common route is through the hands and forearms

Glyphosate Values by Use of Chemical Resistant Gloves

Gloves No Gloves N Mean SD N Mean SD

Closed cab Observed spills during mixing/loading Observed skin contact with pesticides Yes No Yes No Yes No

Yes

22 12 6 28 7 27

7

1.2

4.7

4.1

1.7

6.2

1.5

2.4

4.3

5.8

8.8

4.7

6.0

4.7

12.3

7 7 1 13 8 6

6

8.4

11.2

232.7

7.6

12.6

6.8

26.0

5.0

8.7

-- 5.3

8.1

4.7

4.7

Repair equipment

during application No 27 1.9

3.7

8 4.6

5.9

Acquavella, John F. et al. (March 2004). Glyphosate Biomonitoring for Farmers and Their Families: Results from the Farm Family Exposure Study.

Environmental Health Perspectives

, 112:3, 321-326.

Dermal Protection: Gloves • Reduce exposure greater than 90% • Should be unlined • Chemically resistant –

NOT

leather or cloth

Nitrile • Provides tough protection from physical hazards such as cuts, puncture or abrasion • Designed for

chemical resistance

to greases, petrochemicals, oils,

pesticides

, and other

agricultural chemicals

Kit Item #1 • Excellent pesticide protection • Readily available • Extension promoted • Poor dexterity

“Milking” Glove Solution • Traditionally not thick enough • 14 mil thickness required for pesticide resistance, 15 mil pictured • Inexpensive $11.65 for a box of 50 • Good dexterity

Nozzle

Plugged Nozzle Solutions

Boom

• Blowing on nozzle • Pocket Knife • Piece of wire or paper clip • Fingernail

Plugged Nozzle Solutions

Remember Eye Protection Too!

First Aid Measures • Rinse exposed area immediately with water • Remove contaminated clothing • Wash skin with plenty of soap and water • Check product label

Fresh Water Source Photograph courtesy of GEMPLER'S .

Photograph courtesy of GEMPLER'S .

Photograph courtesy of GEMPLER'S .

Wash Your Hands

Other Kit Items • Wind meter • Respirator?

• First Aid Kit • Record book

Other Kit Items (Cont.) • Disposable Coveralls • Plastic bags for used gloves, coveralls, etc.

• Others?

Don’t

Include These Items!

• Food and drink • Tools – This is a safety kit!

• Old parts – Don’t let kit become a source for future pesticide contamination!

Field Sprayer Safety Kit Item

20" tool box 15 mil nitrile gloves, box of 50 Eyewash, 16oz Belt Pak Replacement tips, Yellow XR (4) In line screens (4) Spray nozzle cleaning brush Wind meter Protective eyewear Waterless hand cleaner Compressed air duster Tyvek Coveralls Vehicle First Aid Kit

Total Item #

134081 109816 G48800 G48050 CP20 R150 126073 98T5 K550 139242

Cost

$15.00

$11.65

$15.20

$23.00

$4.00

$7.20

$18.25

$2.85

$9.30

$8.95

$6.65

$16.95

$139.00

Location

Trader horn Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Gemplers Walmart Gemplers Gemplers

Questions or Additions to the Field Sprayer Safety Kit?

Kevin Fry Extension Educator, Agronomy 724-548-3447

This presentation was developed by Kevin Fry, Penn State Extension Educator in Armstrong County.

Use of this presentation or parts of this presentation is encouraged as long as this credit slide is included.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs in this presentation were taken by Kevin Fry, Penn State Extension Educator in Armstrong County.

Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by the Penn State College of Agriculture Sciences is implied.

“Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.” © The Pennsylvania State University 2007 February 2007