Personal Protective Equipment

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Personal Protective Equipment
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Personal Protective Equipment The 5 Golden Rules

• Before using any crop protection product, always
  read its label and make sure you understand all
  safety needs
• Handle crop protection products carefully at all
  times to avoid contact or contamination
• Maintain sprayers well, fixing, for example, any
  leaks before starting an application.
• Practice good personal hygiene
• Use appropriate protective clothing as last line
  of defence and not to become careless and
  increase exposure risks.

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Personal Protective Equipment Avoiding exposure
risks

• Reduce potential contamination through the
  adoption of good working practices.
• Always fix leaking sprayers before use.
• Use nozzles that produce largest drop size
  advised by label.
• Equipment that produce finer droplets are more
  likely to cause contamination.
• Higher water volume rates are inherently safer
  than those more concentrated. Use within label
  stated ranges.
• Use spraying equipment that meets the FAO
  recommended specifications.
• Always direct the spraying nozzle downwind.
• Avoid spraying in very windy conditions.
• Avoid walking through vegetation that has just
  been sprayed.
• Immediately wash any splashes of undiluted
  product from the skin and eyes.

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Personal Protective Equipment Exposure Studies

• Most operator contamination is likely during the
  mixing process and if using leaking application
  equipment.
• Most contamination during spraying was on the
  hands, due to leaking trigger assemblies.
• Study of Malathion use in greenhouse tomatoes
• K. MACHERA1, M. GOUMENOU, E. KAPETANAKIS, A.
  KALAMARAKIS and C. R. GLASS
• Pesticide Outlook 2002 edited Professor G
  Matthews

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Personal Protective Equipment Exposure Studies

• Product absorption rates through bare skin of
  operators will vary with location on body and the
  condition of the skin. Scratches, sores absorb
  more product then unbroken skin.
• Studies identify not just how much exposure is
  likely but where, too.
• Location on body Relative absorption
  through bare skin .
• Forearm 8.6
• Palm of hands 11.8
• Ball of foot 13.5
• Abdomen 18.4
• Scalp 32.1
• Forehead 36.3
• Ear canal 46.5
• Genitalia 100
• Source University of Florida IFAS Extension
• In general - where skin is thinner and where
  that area has major blood supplies then the
  greater the rate of absorption.

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Personal Protective Equipment Label Information

• Every product label will identify the protective
  equipment requirements for both measuring/mixing
  as well as for application.
• This information is shown as pictograms to help
  total understanding by all product users - and is
  grouped into the following activities.

Mixing liquids
Application
Mixing solids
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PPE Use of pictograms that help ensure product
safety
Use gloves Use face visor
Wash hands Use apron
Use boots Use dust mask
Use respirator Use coverall
Note Gloves and
boots are tucked into coveralls
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Pictogram for WHO Class 2 Product (moderately
hazardous)
Use long sleeved shirt and long trousers
Wear long sleeved shirt and long trousers
When spraying
Keep Locked away
Wash after use
Wear boots
When handling concentrate
wear gloves
Wear boots
Use face shield
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PPE use can vary with products and their use
Lower risk of exposure
Medium risk of exposure
Higher risk of exposure
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Personal Protective Equipment Storage and
maintenance

• Always store protective equipment separately from
  crop protection products.
• Wash gloves, aprons, boots and face shields after
  use.
• Wash spray clothing separately from domestic
  washing.
• Change respirator filters following the
  manufacturers guidelines.

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Personal Protective Equipment Typical key items

• Spraying diluted product solutions
• Boots or non permeable footwear
• Coverall, 2 piece suit or long sleeved shirt
  long trousers
• Broad brimmed hat
• and, for preparing, undiluted products,
  also use
• Gloves Nitrile gloves give best protection
• Face shield or goggles
• Apron
• Respirator - needed for volatile products or as
  shown on the label
• PPE required by local legislation will be shown
  on the label

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Personal Protective Equipment Self made equipment

• If commercially made gloves, visors or aprons are
  not available then, at least
• Use plastic bags to replace gloves.Use these
  once. Dispose following best practice.
• Apron can be made out of a heavy duty plastic
  sack.
• Visor can be made out of an empty clear plastic
  drinks bottle and string.

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Standard minimal PPE for body protection when
spraying diluted products
Order of preference from least to preferred
Work Clothes consisting of long sleeved shirt and
long trousers or Work Clothes as above but used
only for pesticide application or 2 piece suit
specifically designed for use as PPE or Coverall
specifically designed for use as PPE
Least
Better
Preferred
Preferred
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PPE Further safety considerations when Mixing
Loading
Standard PPE Standard PPE extra protection
Normal Work Clothes Coverall (double layer)
(Long sleeved shirt, long trousers) Apron
Boots Respiratory protection Gloves Eye
Protection (goggles or face shield) Dust mask
(Dry formulations only)

• Factors reducing risks
• Formulation type
• Water soluble bags
• Low acute tox/irritation
• Closed transfer system
• Small quantities handled

• Factors increasing risks
• High acute toxicity/irritation
• Solvent based formulations
• High vapour pressure
• Poor equipment choice/use
• Inappropriate container size/type

Always read label and follow label recommnedations
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PPE Safety considerations when spraying
Standard PPE Standard PPE Extra protection
Normal Work Clothes /- Coverall (Double
layer) (Long sleeved shirt, long trousers) /-
Poncho (Partial double layer) Boots /-
Gloves /- Broad brimmed hat /- Eye
protection /- Respiratory protection

• Factors increasing risks
• Leaking knapsack
• Spraying with nozzle above head height
• High crops (tree crops, cotton,...)
• Spray gun use in tree crops overhead
• Glasshouse confined crops
• Frequent, long term, users who are inadequately
  trained
• Product characteristics (e.g. High dermal
  absorption, volatility,...)

• Factors reducing risks
• Tractor mounted sprayer
• Well maintained knapsack sprayer
• Knapsack spraying with nozzle below waist
  height
• Tractor with cab
• Small area to treat
• Spot treatment
• Bare soil treatment

Always read label and follow label recommnedations
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PPE Tractor mounted, trailed and self-propelled
sprayers

• Care should be taken to avoid contamination of
  the driving cab. Take off potentially
  contaminated clothing and equipment before
  getting in the cab.
• The sprayer should be fitted with compartments to
  seperately store contaminated and non
  contaminated clothing and equipment.
• Modern sprayers are normally fitted with a clean
  water supply to permit washing of gloves and
  hands.
• Note also
• Sprayers often fitted with low level induction
  bowls for product loading safety.
• Sprayers often have remote controls such as
  on/off, hydraulic lift and fold in part to
  reduce operator expposure.
• Nozzles often bayonet fitted to multi holder
  systems to reduce exposure time when making
  changes to them.
• PPE requirements may be different for knapsack
  sprayer operators!

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PPE Mixing and Loading

• Boots (non absorbent shoes) Must
• Coverall or 2 piece suit or long Must
• sleeved shirt long trousers
• Gloves Must
• Face shield/goggles Must
• Face mask when handling dusts Must
• Apron Recommended
• During mixing and loading, your hands are at
  highest risk for contamination
• Always follow label recommendations

Remember
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PPE Spraying field and row crops

• Spraying field crops with nozzle up to waist
  height
• Boots
• Coverall, 2 piece suit or long sleeved shirt
  long trousers
• Spraying row - and field crops with nozzle above
  waist height
• Boots
• Coverall, 2 piece suit or long sleeved shirt
  long trousers
• Broad brimmed hat
• Eye protection
• Most common route of exposure is through the skin
  
• Always follow label recommendations

Remember
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PPE Cleaning spray equipment

• Boots
• Coverall, 2 piece suit or long sleeved shirt
  long trousers
• Gloves
• Face shield or goggles
• Clean equipment preferably in an unsprayed area
  of the field just treated
• Make sure that streams and water courses are not
  contaminated
• Never pour pesticides or washings into sewers,
  drains, ditches or rivers
• Always follow label recommendations

Remember
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PPE Properties of Gloves

• Gloves made of nitrile, rubber or Neoprene are
  suited for most crop protection products.
• Natural rubber gloves do not provide sufficient
  protection. When used with solvents such as those
  in emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) they become
  damaged.
• Leather - or any absorbent - gloves are not
  suitable
• Gloves must be worn at mixing and loading or
  applying granules by hand
• Always wash gloves before taking them off
• Replace gloves regularly

Remember
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PPE Properties of Coveralls / suits

• Two (2) piece suits, e.g. long-sleeved shirt and
  long trousers are generally more comfortable than
  coveralls in tropical agricultural use conditions
• Use suits which allow easy movement and good air
  circulation
• Ensure pockets have cover flaps to avoid spray
  drops/liquid entering and accumulating
• Buttons or zips must be covered by flaps
• Sleeves and legs should have adjustable closures
• continued.

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PPE Properties of Coveralls / suits

• The textile used should be air permeable
• Cotton or polyester/cotton blends are appropriate
  for most conditions of use
• The heavier the fabric, the better inherent
  protection properties.
• For woven fabrics, twills are preferable to plain
  weave
• Stitches should be firm and dense to avoid
  penetration of spray drops/liquids
• ..continued

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PPE Properties of Coveralls / suits

• Wash coverall / 2 piece suit regularly, separate
  from family washing
• Strictly follow washing instructions of the
  manufacturer to maintain protection
  properties
• Limited use PPE must be replaced regularly as
  indicated by the manufacturer
• Note
• Exposed, unprotected skin poses highest risk when
  applying crop protecting chemicals
• Using safe knapsack sprayers and having loaded
  the product then the lower parts of the body
  arms, legs, chest and abdomen present the
  highest potential for exposure

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PPE Respirators and dust masks

• Always wash gloves and hands before removing dust
  masks and respirators.
• Make sure you select the appropriate respiratory
  protector to meet any hazards described on the
  products label.
• Several recognised standards govern respiratory
  protectors
• The outer packaging should describe the designed
  uses.
• Respirators fitted with replaceable filter
  canisters. Check that the fitted filters are
  suitable.
• Change dust masks and filters in line with the
  manufacturers specifications or sooner or if the
  item becomes contaminated.

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Removal of PPE

• When removing PPE when wearing gloves, always
  wash the gloves before starting. Remove all
  articles of PPE before finally removing the
  gloves.

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Further reading

• http//www.croplife.org/library/attachments/eeb6a9
  78-fff5-4ff2-bd75-dd8b8068f123/6/Guidelines-for-pe
  rsonal-protection-when-using-crop-protection-produ
  cts-in-hot-climates20-Oct-2004.pdf
• http//edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PI008
• http//www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/safety/ae1107w.h
  tmrespiratory
• http//www.protectepi.com.br/_ing/
• http//annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/
  47/1/61

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Trainer notes

1. Have examples of PPE to demonstrate.
2. Have examples of product labels with contrasting
   PPE needs.
3. Demonstrate removing gloves without contaminating
   the skin.
4. Demonstrate the manufacture of a face shield from
   a PET bottle.
5. Make an apron from a fertiliser sack
6. Consider demostrations using a water solution of
   a safe food additive dye and a leaking knaspack
   sprayer - to show where spray gets onto operator
   wearing a white coverall and white linen
   gloves. Or use UV tracer

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Questions

• Explain the meanings of the WHO pictograms.
• What are the basic requirements when the nozzle
  is spraying below waist height.
• What steps can be taken to reduce the risk of
  product exposure when a) mixing and loading b)
  when using a hand held sprayer.
• What aspects of spraying increase the risk of
  contamination and often require extra PPE?