Farm Chemical Safety Series

Personal Protective Equipment

In 1990, there were 57,248 reported accidental poisonings and 21 deaths nationwide from agricultural chemicals (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides). The Environmental Protection Agency has developed new guidelines for the use of Personal Protective Equipment. New labels on chemicals will list the specific pieces of protective gear necessary for minimum protection for the user.

Poisoning yourself, to some degree, is an easy thing to do; protective gear is a must while using any agricultural chemical.

Always wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt and long, chemical-resistant gloves and boots. These are your most basic pieces of personal equipment for protection against an accidental exposure.

Methods of Poisoning

The Skin

Over time, enough of a toxic chemical can be absorbed by the skin to cause damage to the nervous and respiratory systems. This type of poisoning often goes undetected until another exposure, even a relatively small one, brings on lung failure. For these reasons, take particular care to protect your skin from contact with chemicals. No matter the chemical being used, 98 percent of all accidental skin exposures can be avoided by wearing extra-long, unlined nitrile or neoprene gloves.

If you are handling chemicals above your head, place the cuff of your shirt inside the cuff of the glove. If you are handling chemicals below your head, place the cuff or your shirt outside the glove. This helps prevent spills from running into your shirt sleeves and onto your arm. (Always check for leaks in the gloves by filling them with water and squeezing to find any holes. Discard leaky gloves.) Never wear leather or lined gloves, because these types will soak up the chemicals and concentrate them on your hands. For the same reason, never wear leather or lined boots. Rubber or chemical-resistant boots or boot coverings are a must.

Also, when coveralls are called for, wear some that are loose-fitting and chemical-resistant. This may be a laminated, woven garment or a PVC garment. To stay somewhat cooler, you may elect to wear a two-piece, chemical-resistant suit--but make sure the coat is long enough to reach over the waist of your pants. This also helps protect your body from splashes and spills.

When a chemical-resistant apron is called for, wear one that covers the front of your body from chest to knees.

Finally, wear a chemical-resistant hat when you might be handling chemicals above your head. Your protective hat should be wide-brimmed to prevent any high splashes from landing on your face or neck.

The Eyes

The Lungs

When choosing a respirator, remember that one made of silicone is more comfortable than one made of black rubber. A comfortable piece of protective equipment is more likely to be worn than one (respirator) heavy and difficult to use.

All PPE should be thoroughly cleaned with warm water and detergent after each use. Wash gloves and boots before you take them off to help prevent contamination while you remove them.

Disassemble your respirator and wash the plastic and silicone parts with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. Replace respirator cartridges according to the manufacturer's recommendations or when breathing becomes difficult, whichever is sooner.

The Mouth

Laundering Work Clothes

Also, have your work clothes washed separately from the rest of the family's laundry. Presoak work clothes with a little bleach or baking soda. The clothes need at least one hot water cycle, then line-dried. This helps keep the dryer from being contaminated and allows the sun to break down any remaining chemicals in the fabric. Flush out the washer by running an "empty load" through the washer's cycles.

If you are accidentally exposed to a chemical:

• Eyes -- Wash them out immediately with plenty of water. See a doctor.
• Clothing -- Immediately remove any contaminated clothing.
• Skin -- Wash the exposed area with plenty of soap and water.
• If a chemical is swallowed, read the chemical label or MSDS for instructions concerning induced vomiting. See a doctor.
• Take the product's label to your doctor or other medical facility when you seek treatment.

Major points in the new Federal Worker Protection Standard include:

• Safety Training - Workers are to be taught pesticide safety. Each worker is to be trained in first aid, avoiding exposure, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
• Restricted-Entry Intervals (REI) - Following a pesticide treatment, the treated field will be "posted" for a number of hours (REI), and no work will be allowed in that field.
• Safety Poster - A safety poster illustrating several safety principles will be displayed in a central location on the farm. Detailed notices of recent applications will be placed next to the poster.
• Decontamination Sites - Sites including plenty of potable water, disposable towels, soap, and a change of clothes will be available for workers handling pesticides.
• Emergency Treatment - If you think a worker may have been injured by a chemical, get him to the nearest emergency room immediately.

• Scalp -- 3.7
• Forehead -- 4.2
• Ear Canal -- 5.4
• Abdomen -- 2.1
• Forearm -- 1.0
• Scrotal Area -- 11.8
• Palm -- 1.3
• Ball of Foot -- 1.6

In Mississippi, there were 23 pesticide-related deaths from 1980 to 1990.

This is the first publication in the Farm Chemical Safety series. Several publications discussing various chemical safety subjects will follow in the coming months.

Partial support for this publication is provided by Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Bureau of Plant Industry, and U.S. EPA.

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1843
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director