Ways to Avoid Pesticide Spills
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Transport and Storage
- Mixing, Loading and Application
- Ten Steps to
Cleaning Up a Pesticide Spill
- Spills Action Centre
- Emergency Phone Numbers
Introduction
Pesticide spills can be difficult and costly to clean, but most spills
can be prevented with proper transportation, storage and handling. All
farmers should have a written contingency plan outlining steps to take
in the event of a spill, and a 'spill kit' on hand that is ready for use.
You should also speak with your insurance agents about pollution liability
insurance, and consult pesticide labels and the manufacturers' Material
Safety Data Sheets. This factsheet is available at your local OMAFRA office
on a laminated sheet to allow you to hang it where your pesticides are
handled and stored. You can find out more by enrolling in a Grower
Pesticide Safety Course.
Transport and Storage
- Secure pesticide containers in transit.
- Modify driving style to cargo and road conditions.
- Heed requirements of Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act.
- Have a well-organized storage facility.
- Allow easy access to materials.
- Have suitable shelving, lighting and ventilation.
- Keep a list of pesticides stored on farm in two or more separate locations,
such as the office or barn.
Mixing, Loading and Application
- Consider containment pad for mixing and loading
- Contain and manage any spillage.
- Prevent back siphoning into water source when filling sprayer by using
an anti-backflow device.
- Do not leave sprayer unattended when filling.
- Have a good loading platform on or beside sprayer.
- Check for leaks, sound hoses, and faulty valves.
- Protect your sprayer and keep it in proper condition.
Ten Steps To
Cleaning Up A Pesticide Spill
Asses the situation immediately. The owner of the pesticide, or the person
who had control of it immediately before the spill, is responsible for
the spill, even if he/she is not at fault.
- Protect yourself against pesticide contamination.
- Isolate the area and keep people and animals away.
- Remove contaminated clothing. Thoroughly wash skin with soap and water.
Read product label for treatment. Get medical attention.
- Eliminate the source of the spill if possible
- Call your Ministry of Environment and Energy (MOEE) office or the
24 hours Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.
- Contain the spread of the pesticide to prevent further contamination
of the environment.
- Clean up spill as advised by MOEE or the Spills Action Centre.
- Decontaminate the areas as advised by the MOEE, Spills Action Centre,
or as directed by Material Safety Data Sheets. Decontaminate all equipment
used in the cleanup using the same procedure.
- Dispose of contaminated material as designated by MOEE.
- Re-evaluate your pesticide handling procedures and your spill contingency
plan. Restock your spill kit.
Spills Action Centre
Questions you will be asked by the Spills Action Centre or you local
MOE office.
- What material was spilled?
- How much was spilled?
- What was the source of the spill? (Tanker truck, sprayer, product
container)
- What was the concentration of the spilled material?
- Is the spill contained?
- Has the spill entered any watercourses?
What you will learn from the Spills Action Centre
- Best ways to clean up the spill.
- Decontamination procedures.
- Proper disposal of the contaminated material(s).
Emergency Phone Numbers
Please Print a Copy and Fill in Your Local Phone Numbers
Location of Spill Contingency Plan: _________________________________
Family Doctor: _______________________________
Ministry of Environment: _______________________
Spills Action Centre: 1-800-268-6060
Poison Control Centres:
- 1-800-268-9017 (Toronto)
- 1-800-267-1373 (Ottawa)
- TTY: 1-416-597-0215
Ontario Hydro: ______________________________
Ambulance: ________________________________
Municipality: _______________________________
Police: ____________________________________
Hospital: __________________________________
Fire Department: ____________________________
Insurance Agent: ____________________________
Gas/Oil Company: ___________________________
