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Inspect respirators before each use, check for fit
while wearing. Clean respirators regularly, allow
them to dry and store in a sealed bag.
After one recent presentation, a grower related his first job experience in gypsy moth mitigation: spraying trees overhead with no personal protective equipment (PPE), drenching himself, vehicles, yards, roadways, storm drains, etc. -- marveling that he somehow had escaped apparent adverse effects.
New York pesticide compliance inspectors now pay close attention to PPE. We now hold mock inspections to help greenhouse and other pesticide applicators comply with the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS), especially in matters of worker exposure and record-keeping. It helps to remind everyone of the importance of safety – from growers who do the work themselves, to employees who appreciate their safety is being taken seriously or may forget to take appropriate cautions themselves. Much thought has been put into these issues for the benefit of applicators and co-workers who spend time in production environments where pesticides are used.
1. What is PPE?
Personal protective equipment includes clothing and devices that protect the body from contact with pesticides and pesticide residues. Equipment is determined based upon the product’s acute toxicity by route of exposure (eye, skin, inhalation). Examples of PPE include gloves, foot- and eye-wear, face shields, respirators, headgear, aprons and full body suits; the type required is listed on each product label.
2. Why should I care about PPE?
It’s the law, but it’s also a good idea for health reasons. Read through some labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to get an idea of known health effects from exposure. Many products today have minimal PPE requirements. However, some products require more protection with labels statements like: ‘Causes skin irritation. ‘Causes substantial but temporary eye injury.’ ‘Harmful if absorbed through skin.’ ‘Corrosive. Causes irreversible eye damage.’ ‘Causes skin burns.’ ‘Prolonged or frequently repeated skin contact may cause allergic reaction in some individuals.’
Don’t assume that products for organic use are necessarily exempt, or that requirements are different for herbicides and fungicides. Expect citations and fines from non-compliance if your operation is inspected and found in violation.
3. Where is information on PPE found?
Nearly every pesticide product for use in agricultural production (like greenhouses growing crops for sale) will have a section on PPE requirements for pesticide applicators and handlers, and in the Agricultural Use Requirements box there are special PPE requirements for workers that enter an area before the listed restricted entry interval (REI) has lapsed. There may be additional requirements, such as an accessible eye flush for workers entering a treated area within a certain time period after application. Inspectors will want to see that listed equipment is on hand and being used.
You may be surprised to find some products today have very minimal PPE, such as no respirator required when spraying, or that chemical-resistant gloves may be specified for early-entry workers but not for applicators. Information on PPE is available at EPA websites like www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workers/equip.htm, and many universities have publications on the topic. Regional extension staff are also good resources.
4. Are all protective gloves the same?
No. Some labels simply call for waterproof gloves, while others specify chemical-resistant gloves, and a few may even note the type of material (e.g. barrier laminate or Viton) that is acceptable. Gloves should not be lined or have flocking (though separate liners that don’t extend beyond the cuff are acceptable), and those made from PVC or rubber should be at least 14 mil thick.
5. What about footwear?
Chemical-resistant footwear is often noted, obviously preferable over leather, canvas and cloth that are easily contaminated. Boots should also be unlined.
6. What kinds of protective eyewear are used?
This includes shielded eyeglasses, full-face shields, goggles and enclosed helmets with a filtered air supply. Goggles will offer more protection than shielded eyeglasses, especially when combined with a face shield.
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