Using pesticides
General rules and risks
Applying pesticides
Spraying pesticides
Cleaning up pesticides
Other information
General rules and risks
All pesticides must be used in accordance with registered labels or APVMA permit conditions (non-Queensland Government link) . Some pesticides can be very hazardous if not used correctly so it is necessary to read and apply the information supplied in the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
When using pesticides, the three major risk areas are:
- The risk to a person, property and the environment by accidental events such as spillage or fire.
- Daily chemical exposure of anybody at the workplace.
- Chemical exposure to anyone on an adjacent property who may be affected by the application of chemicals such as spray drift.
Applying pesticides
When applying pesticides:
- Use the least toxic pesticide available for pest control.
- Ensure only the recommended rate of pesticide is used.
- Wear protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the pesticide as described on the label.
- Prepare only enough for immediate use.
- Keep a record of the use and results.
- Ensure equipment works properly and does not leak.
- Cover feed and water containers near areas where livestock are grazing.
- Don’t eat, drink or smoke while pouring, mixing or spraying.
- Don’t pour concentrated pesticides into tanks above shoulder height.
- Never work alone if you are using a highly toxic pesticide.
Spraying pesticides
To manage and reduce health and safety risks when spraying pesticides:
- Spray when weather conditions are suitable and stable - for example winds between 3 - 15 km/hour (not too still, not too windy) and consider humidity, as low humidity can contribute to spray drift for water based pesticide formulations.
- Use a suction method of transferring pesticides to a spray tank. A vortex mixing system can also be used where the pesticide concentrate is added to a water supply during spraying without having to be pre-mixed.
- Prevent nozzles from becoming blocked by using the correct filters and pesticide formulation and ensure that water and equipment are clean.
- Clear blocked nozzles using a soft bristle brush, or compressed air. Never suck or blow blocked nozzles to clear them.
There are requirements under the law for spraying pesticides or agricultural chemicals. For more information refer to:
Aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
Ground distribution of herbicides
Agricultural chemicals users’ manual.
Cleaning up pesticides
- Continue to wear protective equipment to prevent skin contact and splashes during clean up.
- Thoroughly clean all spraying and protective equipment where run-off will not contaminate the environment or create a hazard.
- Wash work clothing separately from domestic clothing or use disposable clothing.
- Wash yourself well after a spray operation.
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling pesticides before eating, drinking, going to the toilet or smoking.
Other information
- The first aid kit should contain a towel, clean clothing, an approved resuscitation mask for expired air resuscitation, disposable eye wash bottle and eye wash solution, soap, nail brush, and clear instructions on what to do with all this equipment. This kit should be kept handy and protected from dust and dirt.
- Keep fresh water close by for washing.
- Advise someone where you are going to spray and how long you intend to be gone. Otherwise, ensure you have a two-way radio for emergency calls.
- It is important that at least one person attends a first aid course to make sure a basic level of first aid is able to be administered in an emergency.
- Before use, check the labels and MSDS or other safe handling guides of your pesticides to see what emergency treatment or procedures may be required and make suitable arrangements.
- Stop work immediately and seek medical attention if there is any sign of muscular spasm, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, blurred vision, excessive saliva in the mouth or difficulty in breathing. These symptoms could indicate pesticide poisoning.
- If regularly using toxic pesticides, a medical examination is recommended before and after the spraying season. You may require more frequent health surveillance with some chemicals.
- Remove any contaminated clothing and seek medical advice.
- For eye contact, hold eye open under running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical advice.
- If swallowed, ring the Queensland Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
More information on how to manage chemical risks is provided in Section 5 - Managing the risks of chemicals and Section 8 - Controls to reduce exposure of the Rural Chemicals Industry Code of Practice.
Last updated 21 August 2008
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