Heat Stress Pesticide Poisoning - Worker Protection Safety
February 21, 2008
The Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning are quite similar to the symptoms of heat stress.
True or False?
Answer: True
Exposure to pesticides and heat stress share these common symptoms: Tiredness or dizziness. Headaches or blurred vision. Excessive sweating. Chest pains or trouble breathing. Nausea, stomach cramps or diarrhea.
Skin rashes and eye irritation are more typical of contact with pesticides, (especially from herbicides,. fungicides and EC’s - Emulsifiable Concentrates).
In warm weather and especially in closed areas such as greenhouses and shadehouses, heat stress is more probable than pesticide poisoning.
In any event, if the worker does not feel well, if something is not right, get him/her our of the work area, into the shade or cool area and, if symptoms persist, get medical help. (don’t forget to take a copy of the label to the first aid provider).
Eyewash Solution Spraying Safety - Worker Protection
February 19, 2008
Eyewash Solution is specifically required for flushing out eyes contaminated with pesticides in the field.
True or False?
Answer: False
While the use of eyewash solutions are preferred, the decontamination of eyes can be done safely and effectively with clean water.
Since WPS (worker protection standards) so states that eyes should be flushed with water for at least 15 minutes, the quantities of eyewash solutions to enable a 15 minute flush would be considerable greater that what is supplied in the so-called decontamination kits that many safety supply houses and chemical dealers are offering to growers.
In fact, one of the EPA approved WPS Worker Training Tapes (“Following the Sun”) shows the characters actually flushing eyes out with water from an Igloo Cooler placed on the roof of a camper top.
Eyewash Solutions
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Eye Protection - Mixing and loading pesticides
February 17, 2008
When mixing and loading pesticides into a sprayer, the minimum requirement is Eye Protection.
True or False?
Answer: False
Even though goggles or glasses will prevent splashes from getting in your eyes and on your face, you must also wear the PPE specified by the label for the particular materials you are mixing and loading. Even if the materials are mild, such as nutritionals, oils, etc, you must protect your face, eyes and body from splashes and handle all materials with gloves, waterproof or chemical resistant.
Safety Eyewear
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EPA Approved Warning Signs - Worker Protection Safety
February 15, 2008
EPA Approved Warning Signs must be put up in each area that has been sprayed.
True or False?
Answer: False
Warning signs should only be posted when indicated by the label of the product being applied. Remember, "The Label Is The Law" as set forth in FIFRA and pesticide manufacturers are required to include posting instructions on the label However, when posting of warning signs is not required, all personnel should be informed as to where the spraying or application will take place and told to stay away until the REI period is over.
In addition, warning signs should be removed after the REI expires. It is technically against the Worker Protection Standard to leave the warning signs up. Fold-over signs have been developed so that the sign does not have to physically removed - the top part folds down over the lower half and covers the sign up until the next time it is needed.
Empty Pesticide Containers Safety - Worker Protection
February 13, 2008
The Worker Protection Standard prohibits employees or anyone else, for that matter, from taking empty pesticide containers home with them.
True or False?
Answer: TRUE
Empty pesticide containers, even though rinsed out, can still have residue of the pesticide in them and the EPA has seen it necessary to include this prohibition in the text of the Worker Protection Standard.
In addition, all pesticide containers should be perforated or cut so that they cannot be reused under any circumstances. Most states with container recycling programs will only accept the containers if they have been cut or perforated.
Drenching Nursery Crops Safety - Worker Protection Safety
February 11, 2008
When drenching nursery crops, workers must be kept at least 100 feet away from the treated area.
True or False?
Answer: False
During drenching operations and until the expiration of the REI, workers and other persons must stay out of the treated area. (Only the treated area.)
The 100 foot restriction is for pesticides being applied:
- Aerially, or in an upward direction
- Using spray pressures greater than 150 psi
- Applying fumigants, smoke, mist, fog or aerosol
There is also a 25 foot restriction when pesticides are being applied:
- Downward, from a height of more than 12 inches above the medium
- Using a fine spray
- At pressures greater than 40 psi and less than 150 psi
- Or other circumstances not listed in both sections above and yet the label of the product requires use of a respirator.
NOTE: The Special Greenhouse Restrictions apply to fumigants, fogs, etc and other situations where the labeling requires use of a respirator and generally encompass the entire enclosed area.
Approved Gloves For Spraying and Worker Protection Safety
February 9, 2008
Yellow Latex gloves are approved for spraying carbamates and organophosphates.
True or False?
Answer: False
Yellow Latex gloves are water resistant, not chemical resistant. The correct gloves for spraying carbamates and organophosphates are the green nitrile chemical resistant gloves.
Disposable Gloves
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Tuning Airblast Sprayers
February 7, 2008
We tend to take the blowers for granted. The propeller blades just keep turning and blowing the air, but what we don’t realize is that they need to be checked periodically and cleaned, to remove the residue that cakes up on the surfaces and makes them less efficient.
There can also be nicks and cracks caused by picked-up debris and fatigue, which can throw the propeller out of balance and produce vibrations. These vibrations usually affect the chassis and the tank to the extent that I have seen steel tanks crack and break or pumps break loose because of those vibrations.
So, when you’re cleaning out filters, inspecting hoses and checking nozzles, take a good look at the blower: clean the blades (you may have to scrape them), tighten the bearings, lubricate the moving parts and check for loose bolts and broken brackets.
Strainers: The Culprits in Pump Failure
February 5, 2008
When our sprayer pressure does not come up, or takes a while to reach the setting, we blame the pump, when in many cases the problem is in the line leading to the pump.
A sprayer designed and built with some degree of engineering has a filtering system between the tank and the pump, and that system is sized in line with the suction capabilities of the pump. (I have seen sprayers built with no inlet line strainer - I have seen sprayers with undersized inlet lines and strainers)
The pump is the heart of the sprayer and needs to be protected. An undersized strainer and/or inlet line will cause high suction vacuum and put a strain on the inlet side of the pump very much like what Arteriosclerosis and clogged arteries will do to our own hearts. And so will a clogged strainer.
The rule of thumb for inlet lines and strainers is that they be of a diameter equal or greater than the suction end of the pump. Also look at the bulkhead fitting in the bottom of the tank where the suction line attaches and the shut-off valve right after it, these must also be that same size..(there should be a shut-off installed between the tank and strainer so that you can do maintenance work even with a full tank).
Any bottleneck in this system will overtax the pump. If your sprayer has any of the design flaws mentioned above, correct them immediately.
Periodic, and I mean periodic maintenance of inlet strainers is critical to your pump.
Surfactant Problem
When you clean out the mesh in the strainer, look for clumps of spray material. This will tell you that you are not agitating correctly or that your materials are not mixing well with the water - a surfactant problem.
Correct those problems right away and you will have less strainer clogging.
Poor Filtering
Also, look at the screen and make sure it is not deformed as this would cause poor filtering. The holes in the screen should be slightly smaller than the smallest nozzle in your spray system. If your mesh is too tight - very small holes - replace it with a lower mesh number (the lower the number, the larger the holes_ 50 and 20 mesh screens are the most popular, but if you have very small nozzles :D-1 or 8001’s - you might need an 80 or 100 mesh filter). Selecting the correct screen will prevent nozzles clogs.
Poor Agitation
Poor agitation will also cause sedimentation of unmixed materials on the bottom of the tank. When the pump starts up these are drawn out all together and overload the strainer. Make sure you flush out the tank and spray lines after use and do not leave any sediment in the bottom or in the strainer.
When you reassemble the strainer, make sure the gasket is properly installed and in good condition. Many times I am called out to troubleshoot a pump and find the strainer is sucking air because the gasket is either not there, broken or crimped.
The pump would much rather pull air than water, because its easier and, when you have air in the system, you don’t have pressure or your pressure is erratic.
Odd Objects
Another thing to look for is a clog in your suction line. I have found labels, old rags, socks, poly bags, paper and all sorts of other things clogging the inlet lines usually between the tank and the strainer. One way to check this out is to remove the strainer bowl, open the valve and watch the flow. If it does not come out with force and volume, check for an obstruction.
When initially you have normal pressure and it drops off some 30 seconds to one minute after opening the nozzles, you have an inlet obstruction. Correct it immediately. High suction vacuum may not show itself the same way, but can go undetected until the pump breaks down.
Pump failure will be evident in piston pumps generally in the inlet valve area. The valve discs will break outwards (sucked out). Diaphragm pumps can also have inlet valve failure, but their most common breakage is in the diaphragms. These are literally pulled away from the piston head because of the vacuum. Roller and centrifugal pumps will show cavitation wear in the housings, and seal breakdown.
Spray Boom Plumbing
February 5, 2008
Look at the pipes, valves and fittings on your spray booms. Make sure you have no bottlenecks on the way to the end of the booms. Remember, if you have a 1/2" pipe boom and the spray must go through a 3/8" valve to reach it, you have a bottleneck.
This can cause lower pressures out at the end of the boom and then your nozzles will not be putting out the same patterns and volumes as those close in.
Be logical and think in terms of an efficient irrigation system: always from larger to smaller until the end. Spend some time on it, look carefully, you may find an elbow, tee, fitting, close coupling, hose nipple, hose, filter, valve, anything that could cause that bottleneck. And it could be anywhere between the pump and the last nozzle.
