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Pesticides can be hazardous and special consideration needs to be given to the storage and transport of them. Hazards include:
·
Severe or fatal poisoning from ingestion of the pesticide.
·
Varying toxic effects through the inhalation of the dusts,
vapours, mists and aerosols.
·
Varying toxic effects caused by absorption through the skin.
·
Risk of sensitisation or dermatitis through skin contact with
pesticide.
·
Eye injuries should the pesticide be splashed into the eyes.
·
Fire and explosion if the dusts, vapours or mists are flammable
and are ignited.
·
Fire and explosion caused by heat applied to pesticide container.
·
Pollution of ponds, streams and rivers etc., damage to trees,
crops and vegetation and harm to livestock, wild life, game especially birds,
bees and fish, as well as to pets; children and other persons in the vicinity.
·
Injury caused by slips, trips or falls due to ground and site
conditions or tripping over objects.
·
Muscular Skeletal Disorders caused by incorrect lifting techniques.
·
Contact with moving vehicles during loading and unloading.
STORAGE
Only persons who have been
trained or who are under supervised training should operate a pesticide store.
Where over 200 kilograms (kg) or 200 litres (ltrs) of pesticide is stored a
storekeeper requires training and certification (or a combination of kgs and
ltrs totals 200). The industry recognised course is The Nominated Storekeeper Course provided
by BASIS Registration Ltd.
The store must be purpose
built;
·
Suitably sited with adequate storage capacity;
·
Soundly constructed of fire resistance materials (30 minute fire
resistance);
·
Capable of containing spillage and leakage (up to the total
capacity plus 10% of the contents stored);
·
Dry and frost free where necessary;
·
Adequate lighting to enable product labels to be read clearly;
·
Suitable ventilated;
·
Suitably signed and secure against theft and vandalism;
·
It is kept locked except when pesticides are being placed in or
removed from the store;
·
Equipped and organised to accommodate the intended contents;
·
Maintained and kept clean and tidy;
·
Is not within a staff room, office, human or animal food store or
food processing area, a dwelling house or building adjoining and directly
accessible from a dwelling house.
Mark the exterior of the store with the general danger
warning. Put “No Smoking” or “Smoking and Naked Flames Forbidden”
propitiatory signs on the exterior door of the store. Only products that
have a COSHH Assessment may be stored. Products must be stored in
their original container. A stock rotation programme must be used to
ensure the oldest stock is used first.
Segregation of Flammable
Products:
Pesticides labelled ‘FLAMMABLE’ (flash point 21-55°C) will be
located separately in their own section of the store. Pesticides labelled
‘HIGHLY FLAMMABLE’ (flash point below 21°C) will be located in a store that is
separated by a fire resisting cupboard or bin within the store.
For small quantities this can be a fire resisting cupboard or bin
within the store. Large quantities should be located in a storeroom formed by
suitably partitioning off the areas of the pesticide store to comply with the
requirements contained in HSE Guidance.
Wherever pesticides that are flammable are stored, the area will
be clearly marked to indicate the flammability of the pesticide using a sign
conforming to BS5378 in accordance
with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
Movement In and Out of
Store
Records of the contents of the chemical store must be available
and maintained. Material Safety Data Sheets and COSHH Assessments for the
products must be available.
The movement of containers in and out of the store will require
care, particularly if it is suspected that the container may have deteriorated
or suffered damage.
If there is a risk of leakage, the contents of the damaged or faulty
containers will, if possible, be transferred to a sound identical container
which is clearly labelled giving the name of the pesticide, the appropriate
hazard information and the precautions to be taken, otherwise the damaged or
faulty container will be enclosed in a sound container, clearly marked. Where
possible, original labels or labels similar to the original should be used.
Those who transfer the contents of one container to another or who
deal with spillages must wear protective clothing; guidance will be available
on the manufacturer’s label.
Storage of Empty
Containers and Soiled Pesticide Waste
Empty pesticide containers will be triple rinsed and stored in a
designated container to await disposal. Pounds for empty containers and solid
pesticide waste will be sited under cover in a well ventilated building or
inside a roofed, wire fenced structure secured against any entry by children
and livestock.
Empty paper packages etc. will be placed in waterproof bags or
wrappings and kept within the pound. Where this is not possible, these
materials will be held in a separate area of the store set aside for that
purpose and will be frequently removed and disposed of properly.
TRANSPORT
Never carry pesticides in the cabs of tractors, self-propelled sprayers or
other vehicles. Use a vehicle with a floor-to-ceiling bulkhead between the
driver/passenger compartment and the load compartment.
Where possible dilution of
products should take place at base, as it avoids the alternative of
transporting concentrated materials away from safe storage at base, or
returning frequently to replenish tanks etc.
Before pesticides are
transported, checks will be made to ensure that the containers are not leaking
and that closures are secure with manufacturers' labels and other information
intact and legible. Material Safety Data Sheets and COSHH Assessments for the
products must be carried.
The contents of damaged or
faulty containers will, if possible, be transferred to a sound identical
container which is clearly labelled giving the name of the pesticide, the
appropriate hazard information and the precautions to be taken, otherwise the
damaged or faulty container will be enclosed in a sound container, clearly
marked. Any spilt liquids will be immediately contained, soaked up with an
absorbent non-combustible material, e.g. sand, and disposed of safely. Those
who transfer the contents of one container to another or who deal with
spillages must wear protective clothing. Contaminated material should be
disposed of in the same manner as the product that caused the contamination.
When pesticide containers or other equipment used for carrying
pesticides are loaded onto vehicles, care must be taken to prevent containers
from falling or otherwise being damaged. Containers should be physically
restrained and storage facilities fitted to the equipment utilised.
Paper or cardboard
packaging must be protected from bad weather and labels safeguarded.
Suitable PPE applicable to the pesticide(s) being transported must be
carried. A spill kit must be carried (with sufficient capacity to deal the
quantity being transported. A suitable fire extinguisher is also required.
Storage in vehicles
or bowsers must be less than 24 hours. When away from the fixed
store, pesticides should always be secure against unauthorised access. Park the mobile store away from
any location where water pollution could occur.
During Transportation
Drivers of vehicles must be instructed to know how to deal with an
emergency e.g. a trailer overturning, including where this could lead to
contamination of water (bridges or tunnels, rather than fords, should be used
where possible, to safeguard water).
If spillage does occur and there is the possibility of a risk to
people, animals or the environment, prompt action must be taken to limit the
effect of any spillage and to warn others, who may be affected, including the
Environment Agency.
If a fire breaks out it will be necessary to alert the emergency
services (police and fire brigade) and provide relevant information about the
nature and quantity of the pesticide involved. Wherever possible, water should
not be used to extinguish pesticide fires.
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