Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 5:PESTICIDES AND HEALTH,SAFETY & THE ENVIRONMENTAfter pesticides have been used, any surplus pesticide must bedisposed of safely (see label instructions) and empty containers andpackets disposed of safely. Liquid containers should be rinsedthoroughly three times and then disposed of (see national regulations).Check if your pesticide supplier has a recollection scheme for empty,rinsed pesticide containers. Empty containers/drums should never bere-used either for diesel or domestic purposes! Ensure that they aresquashed or punctured.STEP 5: Provision, use and maintenance/replacement of personalprotective equipmentThe risk assessment should then evaluate what types of personal protectiveequipment should be used to supplement other control measures in placeThe term Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) means any clothes,materials or devices that provide protection from pesticide exposure duringhandling and application. It covers items ranging from gloves, goggles/faceshields, chemical respirators, rubber aprons and boots, completeprotection suit for very hazardous materials, and cloth coveralls. Thisequipment should be provided, maintained and replaced by the employerat no cost to the worker.As PPE is the least effective means of protecting the operator, it shouldalways be the LAST control measure to be adopted. It should only be usedto supplement the other control measures identified above, once thesehave been put into operation. Unfortunately for many workers it is usuallythe first – and often the only – control measure provided by the employer.Globally, PPE is the main means of operator protection from pesticides asboth the pesticide industry and agricultural employers over-rely on thiscontrol measure.252 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers