Appendix B-2
Control Measures - Horticulture
Pesticide Safety
For the protection and health of faculty, staff, students, community, and environment, it
is the intent of SMCCCD to follow all pesticide guidelines and safety measures
established by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the California
Environmental Protection agency.
1. Do not apply pesticides unless all factors are favorable for protecting you, others,
and the environment.
2. Always read the entire pesticide label before you use it.
3. Be prepared for an emergency spill or exposure ahead of time.
4. Be aware of your legal responsibilities.
5. Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides appropriate
protection from the pesticide being used. READ the pesticide label to
determine what PPE is required.
6. Be extra cautious when mixing pesticides in their concentrated form. Wear
appropriate PPE.
7. Choose an out of the way mixing area that will not endanger the health of others,
or contaminate water supplies.
8. Mix only what is needed and in the correct proportions.
9. Always keep your face away from the pesticide container when the top is open,
and when pouring the pesticide for mixing.
10. Clean up spills immediately.
11. Choose correct application equipment, and make sure that the equipment is
calibrated and in good working order.
12. Notify others and flag off area that is going to be treated with pesticides.
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13. Always thoroughly wash your hands and face after using or handing pesticides
particularly before you eat or drink.
14. Do not use pesticides when there is danger of drift or runoff due to wind or rain.
15. If using hazardous chemicals always work in pairs or be in direct contact with
another person every two hours.
16. Wash contaminated clothing separately from everyday clothes and air dry
outside away from individuals. Always handle clothing with chemical resistant
gloves.
17. Avoid spraying chemicals when unprotected individuals are present.
18. Never use empty pesticide containers for any purpose. Dispose of them
according to label instructions.
19. Properly clean equipment after each use, and avoid contaminating rivers,
streams etc.
20. Read pesticide label to determine re-entry restrictions.
Personal Protective Equipment
1. Gloves - Wear appropriate gloves that are labeled for chemical resistance, e.g.
Neoprene, Butyl, or Nitrile material gloves. Use gloves that extend up to your
elbows. Always wash gloves before you take them off.
2. Body Coverings - For less toxic pesticides (Category III or IV) regular long pants
and long-sleeved shirts are sufficient in pesticide protection. Highly toxic or toxic
pesticides (Category I or II) require protective clothing that resists chemical entry.
Examples are: Overalls, Tyvex suits (dry applications only), or laminated fabrics
that resist liquid penetration.
3. Aprons - Use during equipment cleaning or the chemical mixing process. Use
aprons that are made of Neoprene, Butyl, or Nitrile materials.
4. Boots - Use unlined chemical resist boots. Do not use leather boots. Always
wear your pant legs outside your boots to avoid chemical spills into boots.
5. Goggles/Safety Glasses - Always wear protective goggles or a face shield when
mixing pesticides.
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6. Respirators - Read pesticide label for specifics on respirator type to be used.
Respirators must be fitted using a fit test. Facial hair must not interfere with the
proper fit of the respirator. Double check the respirator cartridges for filtering
capabilities, and replace all filters after 8 hours of use. If the applicator smells an
odor, change the filters immediately! All respirator use will be governed by the "
Respiratory Protection Plan" of the SMCCCD in accordance with CFR 29
1910.134
7. Blood Test - Individuals who apply pesticides regularly should have a blood test
annually. Particularly to determine cholinesterase levels, a nervous system
chemical. Carbamate and organophosphate pesticides attack this chemical
particularly and without it you will die.
First Aid
1. DIAL 911 for ambulance - campus emergency contacts: ______________
2. Poison on skin - flush area immediately with water, remove contaminated
clothing, and wash thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Chemical burns on skin - wash with cold water, remove contaminated clothing,
do not apply burn treatment ointments.
4. Poison in eye - flush eye with water as quickly as possible, gently, for fifteen
minutes. At least five gallons of water should be used when flushing an eye.
Cover eye with clean cloth and seek medical attention.
5. Inhaled poisons - remove victim to fresh air, open all doors and windows, if victim
is not breathing begin CPR.
6. Swallowed poisons - NEVER induce vomiting if the person is unconscious.
NEVER induce vomiting if the person swallowed a corrosive poison or if chemical
is petroleum based. Most pesticides are petroleum based.
7. In any poisoning emergency think water first. Then get emergency help fast.
8. In order for doctors, emergency personnel etc. to provide the best specific
treatment, always have the label and container of pesticide available to them.
9. Pesticide applicators should have the phone number of the nearest poison
control center quickly available.
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First Aid for Field Use
Always have a first aid kit that contains:
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small bottle of common detergent
package of activated charcoal
a shaped plastic air-way for mouth to mouth resuscitation
bottle of clean water
band aids
bandages
tape
blanket
small jar for drinking
Pesticide Disposal
1. Try to prevent having a pesticide surplus. Only purchase what you need.
2. Mix only the amount of pesticide that you will use.
3. Pesticides that are still factory sealed may be returned to the manufacturer.
4. Never dispose of pesticide rinse water where it will contaminate private, public
water supplies or sewer systems.
5. If your surplus pesticides are not returnable to the manufacturer try giving your
surplus to another applicator that may need it.
6. Keep all pesticides in the original container with the label attached. If the
container becomes damaged, place the pesticide in another suitable vessel that
is correctly labeled.
7. All empty containers should be rinsed three times and disposed in accordance to
the label instructions. Never reuse pesticide containers for anything else. Always
destroy containers by punching holes in the top and bottom then crush them.
8. Always read the pesticide label for proper disposal methods.
9. Pesticides that are no longer usable must be removed and stored in a designated
disposal area.
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Pesticide Storage
1. Storage site should be clear of flooding.
2. Storage area should be located where runoff or spills will not contaminate ground
water systems. Drainage from area must be contained with dikes, sumps,
collecting pools etc.
3. Pesticides should be stored in a cool, dry, airy, room or building that is fire proof.
4. The storage area should be well marked with warning signs on all doors and
windows, the entry ways should be locked or the whole structure fenced in.
5. The pesticide storage area should only be used for storing pesticides and nothing
else. PPE should not be stored in there.
6. The storage area should have water access, emergency items such as hydrated
lime, high pH detergents, cat litter etc. to absorb spills quickly. A fire extinguisher
is required.
7. Store chemicals at a temperature above freezing or as required by the product
label.
8. Herbicides should be stored separately from sensitive plant items like grass
seed, bulbs, potted plants etc.
9. Pesticides with similar toxicity should be stored together.
10. Pesticides should be stored off the floor in their original containers and placed so
that the label is clearly visible.
11. Unlabeled pesticides should be removed for disposal.
12. A pesticide inventory should be maintained that indicates the amount, type, and
date purchased.
13. Pesticide equipment should have its own unique storage. Always wash your
equipment thoroughly before it is stored.
14. Pesticide equipment should be labeled, "Danger Pesticides," to alert people to
stay away.
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Record Keeping and Registration
1. Material Safety Data Sheets must be maintained for all pesticides used.
Liability
1. Drift - The applicator, customer, and pesticide manufacturer may be sued if a
pesticide causes environmental damage to non-target areas.
2. Personal Injury - The pesticide applicator is responsible for any injury to a person
from a pesticide.
3. Owner or operator is responsible for child safety concerning pesticides. Do not
leave application equipment or pesticides unattended where children/public are
expected to be present.
4. Do not leave pesticides such as 2-4-D exposed to other pesticides. 2-4-D may
vaporize into a gas and cause cross contamination.
Training
1. All individuals that are required to apply pesticides must be properly trained in
pesticide use.
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Inspection Report
Greenhouse Facility
Facility _________________________ Inspection Date ________________
Name of Inspector ______________________________________
Safety Plans
 Injury Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) accessible to employees during normal
business hours
 Horticulture Chemical Hygiene Plan
 Written Respiratory Protection Plan
Electrical Safety
 Damaged/Worn Cord/Plugs
 Extension Cords Used As Permanent Electrical Supply
 Electrical connections protected from water
 Panels Clear & Identified
 Damaged/Worn Switches/Receptacles
 Free Lance Repairs
Fire Safety
 Extinguisher Charged/Tagged/Mounted/Checked
 Extinguisher Visible & Accessible
Inventories
 Chemicals/Fertilizers/Pesticides
 MSDS
 Pesticide Labels
Pesticide Storage Area
 In locked enclosure with fence not less than six feet high; or in lockable
storage compartment.
 Area clean and dry
 Well lighted during use
 Warning signs stating "DANGER POISON STORAGE AREA" posted at all
probable directions of approach and readable from a distance of 25 feet.
 Pesticides kept separate from fertilizers
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Food or feed is not stored with pesticides
Pesticides should be in original containers.
Closed mixing system available if category 1 materials are present in
containers over 1 gallon is size.
Closed system meets criteria establish by the California Department of Food
& Agriculture.
Emergency Shower/Eyewash present and working properly
Absorbent material available for pesticide spills
Open bags of wet-able powders enclosed in plastic bags or containers.
Chemical/Fertilizer Storage Area
 Area clean and dry
 Flammable materials (i.e. gasoline, diesel fuel, paint, etc.) free from possible
ignition sources (i.e. electrical chords, extension cords, electrical outlets,
drying ovens & other electrical equipment).
 Flammable materials stored separate from fertilizers
 Acids and bases stored separately
 Containers labeled properly and legibly
 Outdated chemicals present
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Records
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No more than 10 gallons of flammable liquids
Safety cans used
Compressed gas cylinders secured properly
Pesticide Applications
General Safety Training
Pesticide Safety Training
Respirator Training/Fit Testing/Use/Maintenance
Equipment Inspections
 Pesticide Sprayer
o No leaky fittings or hoses
o Hoses pliable and not frayed
o Tank triple rinsed and hose flushed with clean water
o Motor starts easily
o Clean oil in motor
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Check nozzles for wear
o Filters clean
Tractor & Tractor Implements
Electric Carts
Push Carts
Ladders
Chain Saws
Lawn mowers
Other Power Equipment
Grinders
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Table Saws
Drill Presses
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Greenhouses
 In conformance with electrical safety
 Fan guards in place
 Climate control system working properly (temperature sensor in unobstructed
location, all cooling and heating stages functional).
 Glass panes latch properly
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Fiberglass/polycarbonate/acrylic panels structurally sound and latch/join
properly.
Fasteners of glass panes in place and screwed down properly
Vents open smoothly and uniformly
Lighting adequate
Curtain systems in good working order
Propane/gas carbon dioxide generators clean and burning properly
Cooling pads clean and wet uniformly
Fertilizer injection equipment working properly
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Water lines properly labeled
Valves for water mains clearly labeled.
Safety Equipment
 Ear protection
 Eye protection
 Dust masks
 Chemical resistant gloves
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Leather or cloth gloves
Rubber aprons
Rubber boots
Rain gear
Hard hats
Emergency phone
Fire alarm
Postings
 Emergency Evacuation Information
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Federal Worker Protection Standard Poster
Emergency Information
Workers Compensation Notice
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