I was hoping to get opinions on applicator saftey when applying pesticides. I have been running a sprayer for about 4 years now and there is always that question of if im being safe enough with what im doing. Usually running a 2 4-D of some sort and roundup and then also apply insecticide to alfalfa. I currently run a 2013 4830 and always watch the cab pressure guage, etc. but was wondering what else you guys do as saftey precautions. Do you trust the cab to keep chemical out? How many of you wear masks when applying or when filling and then obviously the gloves, etc. I have been told that i should even go to the extent of wearing a chemical suit. Just wanting to get some tips from you more experienced guys on what steps you take to be safe...Thanks!
Applicator saftey precautions
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I ground pound with a pull behind and a Magnum 180. I trust the cab to keep it out. Don't even run a charcoal filter, but probably should.
Mixing precautions depend on the chemical used. Eyewear is a must, minimum of sunglasses. 99% of the time I have on rubber gloves. May get a bit lax with 2,4-D or Roundup. I do not wear a mask as they are useless. If you are worried about that you would need a respirator with charcoal cartridges to do any good. Long pants always, rubber sole boots.
Guys that work for the seed companies have to wear a body condom to do anything.
Mixing precautions depend on the chemical used. Eyewear is a must, minimum of sunglasses. 99% of the time I have on rubber gloves. May get a bit lax with 2,4-D or Roundup. I do not wear a mask as they are useless. If you are worried about that you would need a respirator with charcoal cartridges to do any good. Long pants always, rubber sole boots.
Guys that work for the seed companies have to wear a body condom to do anything.
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I wear coveralls and carry a spare pair in the truck. If I get ANY chem on them, I change them right away. I've been threatening to scotch guard them to make them shed chem rather than soaking it up but haven't yet. Blue nitrile disposable gloves when loading (Costco about $10 box/100) keep the box of gloves in the tool cubby (in front of the fuel tank) and a spare box in the truck. I wear rubber ducky shoes because they are chem proof and I can slip them off when I get bin the cab (I like to drive in socks). I wear prescription glasses but, if I didn't i would wear some kind of glasses (safety-sun etc). I HAVE had chem drops end up on the lenses before. I don't do anything special in the cab as the DEERE (and I suspect all other SP sprayers) has dual charcoal filters (that I change annually).
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You should wear a charcoal filtered mask when loading your sprayer. The lungs are one of the fastest ways to absorb chemical. I wear a white disposable chemical suit. This keeps the chemical out of house wash machine which is the best $100 I spend a year to keep my wife and kids from geting exposed. There have been several times when I have been splashed that I was glad I had a chemical suit on. We wear them till they get contaminated. I wear disposable nitrile gloves that are put on as we leave the sprayer and removed and garbaged as I get back into the sprayer.
university of Illinois ,they are the ones who used to do the training classes for custom applicators I used to do custom spraying if you think you are really good and careful not to get expose to things try applying some old chemicals such as prowl or trefland if you don't know what that is it is yellow in color an when you get it on you it will not wash off it will wear off in a month or two. it will make you stand out in a crowd and your wife will be proud.
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3,397 Posts
No masks. I don't load the sprayer in an enclosed environment. IMO, if someone is so paranoid that they feel the need to wear a hazmat suit and charcoal mask every time they fill then sprayer, perhaps they should consider hiring their spraying. There are certainly some products that we use that are rather nasty and require extra precaution (insecticides) but most can be handles safely with simple precautions and common sense. After all, most people spray these products on their home quarters and don't evacuate the property or wear a charcoal mask for 4 days following. The exposure from that would dwarf the exposure from loading the sprayer IMO.
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eye wear is must..
Eye protection (usually just sunglasses), carbon filter mask for insecticides only, large heavy duty rubber apron, big green chem gloves, and have a washer and dryer in my shop for cleaning work clothes. The washer in the shop has been my best investment for safety for the family. Plus I can wash any crap I want without getting in trouble. Had a dishwasher for cleaning parts, but pooched it with running an acid detergent once. Worked amazing on snowmobile clutches.
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X3
Disposable coveralls, they are $10 a pair why bring chemical in to the house and put it through the wash. I carry both big green chem gloves and the nitral gloves and use whatever I need and I will have some kind of sun glasses on. But the big thing is a chem handled with a spike, a guy can put the chemical in very fast and clean.
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5,989 Posts
Safety googles, gloves (sometimes).
With glyphosate, nothing... Probably should but don't.
The sprayer cab will keep things out (I hope).
With glyphosate, nothing... Probably should but don't.
The sprayer cab will keep things out (I hope).
Number one thing we are moving to in order to minimize contact is totes or at least barrels(hopefully soon this will be possible for all chemicals)
I like that apron idea. It has to be quick or its not going to happen. The chem retailers could take a bigger role in this by selling all the stuff. The free pair of gloves every 4th load is not cutting it.
I use the charcoal mask for insecticides. I dont think roundup is harmful though right
I like that apron idea. It has to be quick or its not going to happen. The chem retailers could take a bigger role in this by selling all the stuff. The free pair of gloves every 4th load is not cutting it.
I use the charcoal mask for insecticides. I dont think roundup is harmful though right
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I can't vouch for the products you guys may have access to, but in my book, as an operator, the time you are at most risk is when you are loading the actual concentrates into the sprayer or tank. This is where you are going to contaminate yourself with splashes or dusts.
In the UK the general rules are, plastic/tyvek coveralls, decent gloves that extend up past the wrist, and a visor to stop anything splashing in your eyes. A mask will be needed if handling anything dusty.
You are only supposed to wear this gear when loading the stuff in or say playing with the sprayer nozzles or pipework half way through the job. The rest of the time the gear is living on a separate little locker on the sprayer, and certainly should not be worn in the cab as you will certainly contaminate your seat, controls etc if you do get splashed with something and don't notice.
Provided you have correctly fitted windows and doors, which seal properly, and your air con is working well, and you have decided to actually use an activated carbon cab filter and change it once in a blue moon, the dilute spray solution shouldn't offer as much harm, but obviously do your best to avoid spraying your dog, or next door neighbours garden.
In fairness, a lot of this might be unnecessary, as our chemical regs are now so tight that sprays are a lot safer to the operator or they would not be approved for sale. That said, you can't go wrong pretending it is all as lethal as sarin gas.
One thing I will say is be very wary of any kind of insecticidal product, in particular organophosphates and carbamates. Whilst you would need a heck of a dose of either of these to kill a human being through a single acute exposure, some people are very sensitive to them and don't react well to them at all. Also there is a raft of evidence about what happens to mammals exposed to them long term.
Stay safe out there.
In the UK the general rules are, plastic/tyvek coveralls, decent gloves that extend up past the wrist, and a visor to stop anything splashing in your eyes. A mask will be needed if handling anything dusty.
You are only supposed to wear this gear when loading the stuff in or say playing with the sprayer nozzles or pipework half way through the job. The rest of the time the gear is living on a separate little locker on the sprayer, and certainly should not be worn in the cab as you will certainly contaminate your seat, controls etc if you do get splashed with something and don't notice.
Provided you have correctly fitted windows and doors, which seal properly, and your air con is working well, and you have decided to actually use an activated carbon cab filter and change it once in a blue moon, the dilute spray solution shouldn't offer as much harm, but obviously do your best to avoid spraying your dog, or next door neighbours garden.
In fairness, a lot of this might be unnecessary, as our chemical regs are now so tight that sprays are a lot safer to the operator or they would not be approved for sale. That said, you can't go wrong pretending it is all as lethal as sarin gas.
One thing I will say is be very wary of any kind of insecticidal product, in particular organophosphates and carbamates. Whilst you would need a heck of a dose of either of these to kill a human being through a single acute exposure, some people are very sensitive to them and don't react well to them at all. Also there is a raft of evidence about what happens to mammals exposed to them long term.
Stay safe out there.
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