Pesticide safety and Biosecurity Flashcards
Personal safety of operative - Basic guidelines
Immunised against tetanus.
Always wear the correct PPE.
Follow recommendations on label.
Do not drink or smoke when handling pesticides.
Always wear appropriate PPE.
Always use dedicated euipment
Always measure accurately.
Personal Protective Equipment - Basic
Basic:
Coveralls (one or two piece)with sleeves long enough to overlap gloves and legs long enough to overlap boots. Coverall need not be waterproof but should be made from a strong enough fabric to protect normal clothing. Eg. Lightweight disposable boiler suit.
Face shield - must protect whole face including forehead and be able to withstand chemical penetration it must be worn when preparing chemicals and adjusting equipment and when applying chemicals if there is a risk of self contamination.
Gloves - must be long enough to be tucked under coverall sleeve. Lightweight but strong in order to protect user but allow full movement, unlined to aid cleaning. Rubber can react with some chemicals so neoprene or nitrile is better choice. Check gloves are damage before use and discard if necessary.
Additional personal protective equipment.
Gauntlets, Respirator with cartridge, waterproof coat or apron, Wellington boots, Hood -required in glasshouses and orchards, goggles.
Biosecurity measures to control pests and diseases.
Meaning
Prevention pests and diseases entering the country or spreading around the country and preventing pests and diseases affecting plants in horticultural, agricultural and wild settings.
Bodies that oversee biosecurity. (May be different agencies in devolved areas of UK and NI)
DEFRA - carries out inspections at points if entry into country and inspects importing nurseries to check on plant health.
DEFRA has plant biosecurity strategy and contingency plans on its website with link for reporting issues.
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) - website with details of potential threats which need to notified to this agency. APAH includes Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate.
Forestry Commission - mainly concerned with timber production and wooded landscapes. Will carry out inspections and produce information on a range of threats.
Preparing wettable powders
Read labels and follow instructions.
Always part fill spray tank 1/4 full with filtered water.
Weigh powder accurately in to clean, weighed container.
Mix to cream with small amount of water.
Stir well, add to water in tank.
Rinse container and mixing paddle and add to tank.
Top up tank to correct level.
If possible estimate correct amount of pesticide needed.
Preparing liquids
Read and follow directions.
Fill tank 1/4 full with filtered water.
Accurately measure liquid using clean, calibrated jug.
Hold container to avoid splashing, mix with paddle.
Wash out jug and add to tank.
Agitate the spray tank to mix thoroughly.
Mark amount of concentrate left and store correctly.
Empty containers
Try to choose products that will it cause disposal problems.
Aerosols - dustbin.
Do not burn vaporising strips or aerosols.
Some pesticides should not be burned but may be buried under strict conditions.
Used licensed disposal contractor.
Storage - domestic situation
Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Store away from food.
Ideally in locked location eg locked shed. Quantities less than 50 liters should be stored in locked, ventilated cabinet in suitable site.
Keep in original container.
Ensure labels are readable and pesticides are in date.
Dispose of any leaking containers.
Purchase minimum amount of pesticide necessary.
Store liquids below powder, leaking liquids mixing with powders can result in dangerous chemical reactions.
