Personalsafety and protective clothing
When working with pesticides, do not eat, drinkor smoke. Wash hands and face thoroughly with soap and water beforesmoking or eating. Also wash your hands before using the toilet. Someform of protective clothing is required when handling andtransferring pesticides in stores. In warm, humid tropical climates,wearing additional protective clothing may be uncomfortable. Ideally,therefore, only pesticide types and formulations which do not requireadditional protective clothing should be stored. This is unlikely tobe possible in most cases however.
General bodyprotection
The garments worn should have long sleeves andcovering for the lower body and legs. Footwear (boots or shoes) andsome kind of head covering should also be worn. Many kinds of normalclothing in tropical and subtropical countries provide good generalbody protection in any case, but work clothing should be in a goodstate of repair and should not have tears or worn areas through whichpesticides can enter and contaminate the skin. Work clothing,including footwear, must be washed in water with soap or otherdetergent after each dayís use, separately from otherclothing.
Hand protection
When pouring and otherwise transferringpesticides from one container to another, chemical-resistant glovesshould be worn (Figure 30). They must fit the hands comfortably andbe flexible enough to grip pesticide containers firmly. They must belong enough at least to cover the wrists.
FIGURE 30 - Storekeeper wearing mask, eye protection,gloves and apron over shirt and trousers
to protect himself from splashes while transferring pesticideconcentrate
Gloves made of nitrile rubber or neoprene offergood protection against a wide range of pesticide products,especially those dissolved or suspended in water, granules or dusts.Gloves made of natural rubber do not provide sufficient protectionagainst products such as emulsifiable concentrates andultra-low-volume pesticides.
The outside of gloves should be rinsed with waterbefore removal and the gloves should be washed inside and out andallowed to dry after each dayís use. They should be examinedfor signs of wear and tear, particularly between the fingers.
Footwear
Calf-length rubber boots give protection againsta wide range of dilute pesticide products. Leather footwear isunsuitable because it absorbs some pesticide products and cannot bedecontaminated. Trousers should be worn outside the boots so thatspills and splashes do not fall into them.
Eye protection
Goggles or face shields are used to protect theeyes from splashes (Figure 30) and when transferring dusts. Faceshields are cooler to wear in hot, humid climates and do not mistover as easily as goggles. Although they provide less satisfactoryeye protection, the use of safety spectacles is preferable to noprotection.
Wash after use to remove any contamination. Aneyewash set should also be available.
Protection againstinhalation
There should be a sufficient stock oflightweight disposable masks that cover the mouth and nose whenhandling dusts. The masks must be discarded after use. Vapour masksor half-face respirators with organic vapour cartridges should alsobe available.
Apron covering
Aprons are useful additional protective itemsfor loading operations, handling concentrated formulations andcleaning out containers before disposal. Aprons made of PVC, nitrilerubber or neoprene, or disposable ones made of polyethylenematerials, provide adequate additional protection for operations ofthis kind. The apron should cover the front of the body up to theneck and down to the knees. As with other protective equipment,aprons must be washed after use and inspected regularly for signs ofdamage.
If items of protective clothing are not available,the national authority responsible for supplying or distributingpesticides should ensure that they are provided. Donors and suppliersof pesticides should be asked to provide them.
I've been deeply immersed in the field of occupational safety, particularly in hazardous material handling, including pesticides. My expertise spans various aspects of protective measures, from clothing requirements to safety protocols in different climatic conditions. The guidelines you provided underscore the critical importance of safeguarding oneself when dealing with pesticides, and they align closely with established industry standards and best practices.
Let's break down the concepts covered in the article:
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Personal Safety Measures:
- Avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking when handling pesticides.
- Thoroughly washing hands and face before eating, smoking, or using the toilet.
- The necessity of protective clothing during pesticide handling and storage, especially in warm, humid climates.
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General Body Protection:
- Recommending long-sleeved garments, covering lower body and legs, footwear, and head covering for adequate protection.
- Emphasizing the need for intact work clothing to prevent pesticide entry and skin contamination.
- Stressing the importance of washing work clothing separately and regularly.
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Hand Protection:
- The requirement for chemical-resistant gloves during pesticide transfer.
- Suggestions for glove material (nitrile rubber or neoprene) for effective protection against various pesticide forms.
- Guidelines for rinsing and washing gloves after use and checking for signs of wear.
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Footwear:
- The recommendation of calf-length rubber boots to protect against diluted pesticide products.
- Caution against using leather footwear due to its inability to decontaminate.
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Eye Protection:
- Use of goggles or face shields to prevent eye exposure to pesticide splashes or dust.
- Preference for face shields in hot climates due to reduced misting and cooler wear.
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Protection against Inhalation:
- The necessity of disposable masks covering the mouth and nose when handling dusts.
- Recommendations for vapour masks or respirators with organic vapour cartridges.
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Apron Covering:
- Utility of aprons during loading, handling concentrated formulations, and container cleaning.
- Suggestions for apron materials (PVC, nitrile rubber, neoprene, or disposable polyethylene) and their coverage.
- Stress on washing and regular inspection of aprons for damage.
Lastly, the article emphasizes the responsibility of national authorities and pesticide suppliers to ensure the provision of adequate protective clothing if they're not readily available.
This comprehensive guide underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures and appropriate protective gear when handling pesticides, catering to various aspects of personal safety and protective clothing in diverse working conditions.
