Pesticides may be useful for crops but also very dangerous if safety precautions are not followed. Safe handling should be a priority when using any substance that could potentially harm other living organisms. Commonly used pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, which contain chemicals and other poisonous minerals. According to Pesticides Facts, food crops often compete with over 30,000 species of weeds, countless worms, and plant-eating insects; thus, prevention is priceless. It would be best to insist on maximum protection when you, your employees, or other consumers handle these products. Here are some tips on how to keep everyone safe while using pesticides.
Read and Follow Directions
Pesticide manufacturers must give clear descriptions and directions for use to their consumers. Before buying a pesticide, ensure it targets the pests you intend to eliminate. Read through the content table to determine the ingredients and promotion of each component while looking out for substances that may cause an allergic reaction.
The most significant way to minimize health risk is by using non-chemical control measures like removing the pests’ food and water sources and destroying their breeding areas. You can also explore organic pesticides like lecithin. According to the International Food Additives Council, crude lecithin can reduce waste. It is a by-product of vegetable oil production and a key ingredient in pesticide production, thus preserving the environment and protecting food crops.
Wear Protective Clothing
Protective wear like goggles, hand masks, gloves, and gumboots create an impenetrable barrier between you and pesticides during use, thus reducing exposure. Minerals and other pesticide chemicals can enter the body through ingestion, direct inhalation, and skin absorption. Therefore, ensuring every part of your body is well-covered is essential.
Additionally, wash your hands thoroughly after mixing or applying pesticides to eliminate the chance of contaminating surfaces or other objects. As an employer, you cannot always supervise how employees handle these products, but you can provide necessary protection kits and set up policies that promote safety at work.
Proper Handling
Besides a protective outfit, it is equally important to use protective equipment while mixing, applying, and cleaning up. Typically, pesticides come in concentrated portions, which require dilution. The concentrates may release fumes that could blow right into your nose.
If your business handles these kinds of chemicals often, it is wise to have a well-ventilated area designated for preparing the solution for the application. Alternatively, ensure your staff takes extra precautions by handling chemicals in isolated open spaces. However, when spraying pesticides outdoors, care must be taken, especially on rainy or windy days. The applicant must prevent the pesticide from blowing onto vegetable gardens or towards their direction.
Training your personnel to prepare chemicals in such spaces is crucial. According to the National Institute of Health, 11,200 disabling accidental injuries occur hourly every year; thus, it is essential to maintain occupational safety. For example, insisting that they only prepare the needed amount ensures they minimize exposure while avoiding waste. They should always prepare for potential spills by having a cleaning towel close by and ensuring the area is thoroughly washed. It would be helpful to have proper disposal systems for pesticide containers and protective wear as pesticides can be harmful to the environment.
Proper Pesticide Storage
Mind where you put pesticides for the sake of other people and animals. Aside from keeping them away, ensure they are stored in their original containers, which are usually made to withstand the chemical content in the product. Keeping the original label also helps for future reference. Also, remember to keep them under the correct temperatures, as extreme levels may alter the quality of the product or even trigger poisonous reactions. Finally, never store pesticides or other chemicals in food and drink containers.
Practicing these safety guidelines will help significantly preserve the environment, hence protecting all other living organisms. Employers are responsible for looking after their employees. Thus, providing the necessary resources and imparting knowledge is even more important.
