Author: mlovern

Proper use of pesticides and chemicals does not only help protect the user, but also bystanders, consumers, and the environment. Improper use of chemicals and pesticides can result in environmental damage through drift and runoff or could result in accidental exposure of bystanders. Before ever applying a chemical or pesticide, read the label and wear the proper PPE.

Storage and Handling

• Always store chemicals and pesticides in a well-ventilated area, that is locked away and not easily accessible by children, livestock, and pets.
• Always keep chemicals and pesticides in their original contrainers with their labels and SDS intacted. Never store them in drink bottles or other containers that someone could mistake for a drink.
  • Many chemicals and pesticides resimble drinks that youth drink. Storing them in different containers could be life threatening to children!

• Always use proper measuring containers. Never use household measuring devices to measure your chemicals and pesticides.

Application Safety

• Follow the label for all mixing, dosage, and application rates.
• Make sure your pesticide applicators liscences is up to date before spraying a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP).
• Avoid spraying on windy days to minimize on drift. If you pesticide or chemical drifts onto another proper you could be legally responsible for damages of property.
• Be mindful of water sources when you are applying chemicals and pesticides. Avoid applying chemicals near water bodies and before heavy rains to prevent ground water contamination.
• Rotate pesticide and chemical use to prevent the development of resistant pests.
• Ensure you are using the proper equipment for applying your chemicals and pesticides. Make sure they are calibrated properly so you are applying the correct amount.

Safe Disposal

• Check the label before disposing of chemicals and pesticides. Some need to be disposed of in designated areas.
• Never pour pesticides or chemicals down drains, into bodies of water, or in fields.
• Before disposing of a chemical container, wash and rinse it three times to limit accidental exposure to the chemical or pesticide.

Responding to a Poisioning Emergency

1. Stop pesticide exporsure immediately
2. Call for emergency help
3. Check the label to determine if anything should be/can be done before help arrives

Occular Exposure

1. Quickly wash eye with clear, plain water for 15+ minutes. Do not add anything to the water! Preferable to use an eye wash station for this.

Inhilation of Pesticide/Chemical

1. Get victim and bystanders to fresh air, immediately
2. Loosen tight clothes and use artificial respiration, if necessary.
   • If you must provide CPR, use a tube to prevent mouth-to-mouth contact.

Oral Exposure

1. Rinse mouth
2. Give the victim lots of water or milk to drink
   • Only induce vomiting if instructed to on the label

Questions

1. How many times should you rinse a pesticide or chemical container before disposing of it? 
2. What is an RUP, and what do you need to apply it?
3. Where should chemicals and pesticides be stored?
4. True or False: If you are applying pesticides on a windy day, you may have drift, and it could damage adjacent property. 
5. True or False: If someone ingests a chemical, you should immediately induce vomiting. 

Answers

1. Three times
2. Restricted Use Pesticide, and you must have an up to date pesticide applicator license.
3. In a well-ventilated area that is not easily accessible by children, pets, and livestock.
4. True
5. False

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Livestock production comprises a large portion of the agricultural industry in South Carolina, whether that be cattle, poultry, swine, or any other livestock. In 2022, it was reported that 64% of the market value of agricultural products sold in South Carolina came from livestock. When working with livestock, it is important to wear the proper PPE for the task and always remember to approach them calmly from the front. 

Common Hazards When Working with Livestock

• Being stepped on, trampled, bit, or kicked
• Being pinned to a solid surface, such as a fence, gate, chute, or wall
• Bacterial infections, parasitic diseases, viral diseases, fungal diseases, and Zoonotic diseases can be passed from livestock to humans.
  • Exercise extreme caution if pregnant. Many viruses and infections are much more harmful to pregnant women.
• Livestock mothers may become protective of their young when approaching them.

Recommended PPE for Working Livestock

• Closed-toed shoes – rubber are prefered
• Long pants
• Long-sleved shirt
• Gloves (if necessary)
• Safety glasses

How to Safety Approach Livestock

• Never surprise livestock. Ensure that they always know that you are there, you never want to spook them.
• Always be awear of the animal’s blind spot. Each type of livestock has a different blind spot. You should never approach them from this area.
• Never sneak up behind the animal. Sneaking up behind the animal could spook them and they could hurt you out of fear.
• Only ever approach an animal from the front, in a calm manner. This will keep them from spooking.
• Always have an escape plan. In the event the animal begins to act out of fear, you need a clear path to be able to exit the situation.

Questions

1. Why is it dangerous to sneak up on an animal from behind?
2. How should you approach an animal?
3. In 2022, what percentage of the market value of agricultural products sold was livestock products?
4. True or False: Pregnant women need to be extremely careful when working around livestock because of various infections, viruses, and diseases that can harm the unborn child. 
5. True or False: Open-toed shoes are best for working livestock.

Answers

1. You may spook them and they could act out of fear and hurt you or those working around the animal.
2. From the front, calmly
3. 64%
4. True
5. False

Hazards are anything that poses a danger, threat, or risk to the health and safety of people in a workplace. Farms are often full of hazards ranging from machinery hazards to livestock hazards, and these are often the root cause of on-farm incidents. It is always important to be on the lookout for hazards when you are working!

What are root cause? Root causes are the primary issue or hazard that led to an incident occurring. Some common root causes are improper training, disorganization in the workplace, improper storage procedures of chemicals and pesticides, and many others.

What are near misses and close calls? Near misses are unplanned events that had the potential to result in an incident, but does not actually result in human injury or harm to the environment or equipment.

How do we identify hazards? Follow the six steps outline by OSHA for identifying and addressing hazards!

1. Collect information about the workplace. The main part of this step is determining what types of hazards could potentially be present in the workplace, and who would be exposed to those hazards.
2. Inspect the workplace for safety hazards. During this step, inspect all operations, equipment, work areas, and facilities to locate safty hazards. Be sure to take photographs and document where each hazard is.
3. Identify health hazards. Be on the lookout for “unseen hazards,” things such as gases and vapors, odorless hazards, or hazards that only appear after long-term exposure.
4. Perform incident investigations. Review documented incidents and near misses that have happened at the workplace and determine if necessary steps have been done to resolve the hazard.
5. Identify hazards that are assocaited with non-routine and emergency situations. Emergencies and non-routine or infrequent tasks can present hazards that are not always present.
6. Characterize the nature of identified hazards, identify interim control measures, and prioritize the hazards for control. Evaluate each hazard by considering the severity of potential outcomes and the likelihood of an event or exposure to occur. Also consider how many workers may be exposed if an incident occurs.

Hierarchy of Controls: various means to address hazards in the workplace. Elimination is the most effective means; however, the most common means to mitigate hazards is engineering controls.

Questions

1. What is occurring during the elimination of a hazard? 
2. What is the least effective way to mitigate hazards? 
3. What is the most common way to mitigate hazards? 
4. True or False: A near miss is when an unplanned event occurs that has the potential to be harmful and result in injury, but it does not. 
5. True or False: All hazards are very obvious and easy to spot.  

Answers

1. The hazard is completely removed.
2. Personal Protective Equipment
3. Engineering Controls
4. True
5. False

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