Eye Protection For Pesticide Applicators Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education 1
The Pesticide Label Risk Assessment Toxicity Formulation Use pattern Exposure Dose Closed-mixing systems pesticidepics.org VERY RARELY would this much protection be warranted,
Topics Requirements for Eye Protection Eye Hazards Ways to Protect Eyes Pesticide Labels and MSDSs First Aid 3
How often do you wear eye protection when using or handling pesticides? 4 1. All the time 2. Always when the label requires 3. Sometimes when the label requires 4. Only in high risk situations 5. Seldom/never, even when label requires 6. Don’t use pesticides that require eye protection
Requirements for Eye Protection 5
Eye Protection Requirements OSHA (federal) MNOSHA (OSHA plus MN state requirements) Worker Protection Standard Eye PPE meets ANSI Z87 standards Pesticide Label and MSDS Requirements are minimums – can do more if you feel situation requires it to provide full protection Employer policies 6
Eye Hazards 7
Harm to eyes is one of the most common on the job injury in the United States Easily prevented Pesticides may harm eyes through: Poisoning via dose (amount that enters the body) Irritant Cornea damage Corrosive / chemical burn Allergic reaction Eye damage and even blindness 8
Eyes Are Extremely Absorbent Blood vessels very close to the surface of the eye For size, able to absorb large amounts of chemical Chemicals harm eyes directly (contact harm) or can move elsewhere in the body (systemic harm) 9
Eye Hazards Pesticides vary in toxicity and corrosiveness Active ingredient (the pesticide) Formulation - physical form Formulation - other or inert ingredients 10
Pesticide Eye Exposure: Sources Dusts, particles, mist, vapors, liquids Floating in air, splashes, drift, broken hoses, spills Rubbing eyes with contaminated hands or clothing 11
Eye Risk Source Chemical Chemical Reaches the Eye (exposure) Chemical that Enters the Body (dose) Source eye surface (exposure) inside eye (dose) 12
Preventing Exposure Engineering Proper storage and disposal Packaging and closed-handling systems to load pesticides During application (sprayer hoods, enclosed cabs) Behaviors Safety practice Wearing PPE Knowing First Aid for eyes Decontamination procedures (PPE removal and cleaning) 13
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE – Last Line of Defense 14
The Pesticide Label Who is Exposed? Mixer-loaders Applicators Equipment maintenance PPE is noted on the label per task Lorsban 4E (2012)
National PPE Effort 2010 NIOSH National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory Extension Pesticide Safety Education Coordinators EPA Pesticide Manufacturers PPE manufacturer Other researchers
Pesticide Label PPE Database Developed by Dr. Anugrah Shaw. Looked at 1,864 labels in CDMS for PPE requirements Information assists in determining the scope of the issue with the current PPE requirements on the label.
Protective Eyewear Requirements Protective eyewear is required for Toxicity Categories I and II
Protective Headwear Requirements Headwear is required for Dermal Toxicity Category I or II products that might involve overhead exposure. 48 labels that require headgear require long-sleeved shirt and long pants the lowest level of protection for the rest of the body. Rain suits/chemical resistant suits are often worn for orchard spraying where not only the head but the entire back is wet from exposure.
Ways to Protect Eyes 20
Face Shields For minimal exposure conditions do not fully protect eyes against splashes Provides full face protection from particle impacts – better if bottom curves inward towards chin Comfort and less fogging Good protection against impacts Helps protect face from corrosive pesticides 21
Shielded Safety Glasses For minimal exposure conditions do not fully protect eyes against splashes Brow shields and side shields Should have scratch resistant lenses For comfort and low fogging Many styles for those who want something more attractive with options for sunglasses and ‘readers’ 22
Goggles For good eye protection against splashes Must fit secure against face all around the eyes Polycarbonate lenses protect eyes from impacts Direct vent goggles do not fully protect eyes against splashes Use indirect vent or no vent goggles for splash protection & when label says ‘goggles’ Some have fog free lenses and/or ‘readers’ 23
Full Face Respirator If label requires respiratory protection can wear label required eye protection with half face respirator Full face respirator provides maximum protection for eyes and face due to air tight seal to skin Respirators have special medical, fit testing and user leak check requirements 24
Sources for Eye Protection 25 Gempler’s 3M Viking Industrial Center (safety supply) Grainger Many many other suppliers
Eye PPE Maintenance Each item should be assigned and fitted to each person – find correct size and model for different size faces. Equipment should not be shared Equipment should not block peripheral vision Discard scratched, damaged or stained items 26
Cleaning Eye PPE Clean all eye PPE after each use ALWAYS Follow manufacturer’s directions for cleaning. Some types of eye PPE: Non-detergent soap and water Soak for 10 minutes Rinse with running water Air dry or use cloth designed for cleaning eyewear 27
Storing Eye PPE Store goggles and safety glasses first in their cases. Store all eye PPE in clean, dust proof sealable container (box, bag, etc.) away from pesticides and pesticide residues If not cleaned, do not store inside vehicle or cab Store away from heat and sunlight as they may effect plastic components 28
Contact Lenses Avoid wearing if possible Consult with your doctor Wear any required eye protection over your contact lenses – contacts provide no protection to your eyes Have an extra pair of lenses or prescription eye glasses with you Safety glasses and goggles with prescription lenses are available Certain types of goggles can be worn over regular prescription glasses 29
Pesticide Labels and MSDSs 30
Interpreting Labels for PPE Not all the info you need to select, use and maintain PPE to adequately protect yourself is found on the label or MSDS Labels tell you the kind of eye hazards and requirements to protect eyes 31
Labels - Look For: Signal Word Hazard to Humans and Domestic Animals statement First Aid section PPE requirements Agricultural Use Box (for WPS labels) 32
Label Language If Based on Eyes Danger (tox I) Corrosive. Causes irreversible eye damage. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. (Lists specific eye protection to wear.) Warning (tox II) Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. (Lists specific eye protection to wear.) Caution (tox III) Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. (May require eye protection.) Caution (tox IV) no eye statements / requirements 33
Labels Says…Wear: 34 ‘Wear protective eyewear’ Face shield, shielded safety glasses, indirect vent goggles or full face respirator ‘Wear safety glasses’ shielded safety glasses, indirect vent goggles or full face respirator Wear goggles’ indirect vent goggles or full face respirator
What are your options? 35
MSDS look for: Section 2: Hazardous Ingredients toxicity, exposure levels and more Section 6 Hazard Data health effects Section 7 Prevention PPE, safety practices Section 8: First Aid 36
First Aid 37
If it is in the eyes …. Act as fast as possible… Even a couple of seconds can make a difference… As eyes can quickly absorb large amounts of chemical… 38
If it is in the eyes…. 1. Activate eyewash station 2. Continuously rinse the eye for 15 minutes dripping water across the eye 3. Remove contact lenses after 5 minutes, if wearing 4. If only one eye is involved, be careful not to contaminate the other eye. 5. Flush water under the eyelids for debris. 6. Then cover the eye with a clean piece of cloth and seek medical attention immediately. 39
Worker Protection Standard Workers and Handlers: Enough water for routine washing and eye flushing Water available at all times Quality & temp will not cause illness or injury Water kept from contamination by pesticides Early Entry Workers 1 pint of water per worker if label requires eye protection carried by worker or immediately accessible 40
Plumbed Eye Wash Stations 41
Plumbed Eye Wash Stations Eyewash and shower stations must meet ANSI Z358 standards Many faucet-mounted stations do not meet ANSI standards Water must be between 60 F and 100 F - ensure the eyes and face can be flushed for 15 minutes Once activated must be hands-free operation Be10 seconds or less away from worker Nozzles capped or covered 42
Self-contained Portable Stations For places not practical to have plumbed eye wash station. 43
Self-contained Portable Stations Must provide 0.4 gallons a minute for 15 minutes (six-gallon capacity). The potable water or approved flushing fluid must be replaced after any use and at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Nozzle covered to prevent contamination 44
Eye Wash Squeeze Bottles Are not hands-free and can not provide enough water for 15 minute eye wash Best as an interim emergency measure - get to eyewash station ASAP to complete 15 minute wash Not acceptable replacement for places where OSHA requires eye wash stations 45
Are regular glasses ever acceptable eye protection when handling pesticides No 2. Only when label has no protective eye wear requirement 3. Yes, for most situations
Who should care most about your eyes? OSHA 2. MN-OSHA 3. EPA 4. MDA 5. Extension Educators 6. You
Eye Protection Read Label and MSDS to determine level of eye protection needed Know how to selection, clean and maintain eye PPE Be prepared – first aid for eyes 48
Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education 49