Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Safety Precautions
Applying Pesticides
Apply pesticides so that the applicator, bystanders, and the surrounding environment are protected from harm. Each pesticide can affect people and the environment differently. Some pose more hazards than others. Always check the label to see if any special precautions are needed for the pesticide being applied.
Before applying a pesticide:
- Identify any nearby sensitive areas. These can include:
- adjacent crops that could be damaged
- livestock or other animals in adjacent fields
- streams, ditches, wetlands, or other nearby water bodies
- adjacent vegetation such as shelterbelts or riparian areas
- adjacent fields with workers
- schools, hospitals, or houses
- bus stops, especially where children wait for the school bus
- yards with toys, pet dishes, laundry, etc.
- roadways with traffic
- sidewalks, trails, or walkways
- Read and follow label directions details are easily forgotten and labels often change. Check for special precautions to protect applicators and sensitive areas.
- Decide how you can protect any sensitive areas near the treatment area.
- Cover or remove animal food and water containers near the treatment area.
- Tell someone on the farm what pesticides your applying, where you are working, and when you will return. Ask them to contact you if you do not report back.
- Make sure the area to be treated is clear of people and animals.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages before working with pesticides.
- If hiring a pest control company, make sure the applicator has a valid pesticide applicator certificate and the company has a valid Pest Control Service License.
During application:
- Wear the personal protective equipment recommended on the label.
- Use the label rate. Increasing the rate may leave high residues or harm the crop. Decreasing the rate may result in poor pest control or contribute to the development of pesticide resistance.
- Use application equipment that is calibrated, properly maintained, and adjusted for the crop being treated.
- Use and maintain tractor speed and pressure chosen during calibration.
- Use separate equipment for applying herbicides.
- Shut off the spray nozzles when you turn.
- Stop the flow of granular formulations at the end of rows.
- Wear gloves to replace or clean plugged nozzles. Do not blowout a plugged nozzle or screen with your mouth. Use a soft brush or toothpick.
- Spray when human activity nearby is unlikely. For example, do not spray near a school while children are on the grounds.
- Do not work alone when handling very toxic pesticides.
- Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, and touching your face during pesticide application.
- Wash before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet.
- Have fresh water available for emergencies.
- Prevent pesticides from contaminating non target areas. Leave a buffer zone or untreated area. around lakes, streams, ditches and wells.
- Spray when the wind is blowing away from sensitive areas.
- Minimize drift by:
- Spraying only when winds are less than 5-8 km/hr. There is usually less wind in the early morning and late evening.
- Not spraying when temperatures are greater than 30C.
- Using boom sprayers with as low pressure as possible, the correct nozzles, large volumes of water, and setting the boom near to the ground as possible to still get uniform coverage.
- Using a drift control agent.
- Using drift guard or other specialty nozzles that reduce drift.
- Using a shrouded sprayer.
Chemigation:
- Pesticides must be registered for chemigation before they can be applied through irrigation systems. Make sure the pesticide label has specific instructions for chemigation.
Aerial Application:
- Pesticides can only be applied by aircraft (helicopters or fixed wing planes) when the pesticide label has specific instructions for aerial application.
- Only hire aerial applicators that have a valid pesticide applicator certificate and Pest Control Service License.
After application:
- Wash before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet.
- Clean yourself, personal protective equipment, and sprayer.
- Post warning signs to keep people out of treated areas.
- Wait the required restricted entry interval before entering the treated area.
- Only allow people into treated areas during restricted entry intervals if they use the proper protective clothing.
- Wait the required pre harvest interval before harvesting
the crop.