Pesticide Storage, Handling, and Application - Handling

Table of Contents

1. Principles
2. Mixing/Loading Systems
3. A Sump Mixture
4. Mixing/Loading at Application Site
5. Portable Pads and Trays

Principles

Pesticide handling is the on-farm transfer, mixing, and loading of pesticides and pesticide mixtures.

These activities pose the greatest risk to human safety because handlers are exposed to concentrated products. The environment is also at risk because pesticide spills are most likely to occur at this stage.

For these reasons, all farmers should implement best management practices for handling.

To help you be ready in the event of a spill, there are also best management practices for contingency planning, personal safety, and cleanup.

When designing or planning a pesticide handling system, consider the following points: Location, Practicality, Safety, and Environmental Protection.

Mixing/Loading Systems

Mixing/loading systems are one or a combination of structures, facilities, equipment used to mix and load application equipment.

There are three main types of mixing/loading systems:

• permanent mixing/loading facilities
• mixing/loading at application site
• portable pads and trays.

Permanent facilities are impermeable concrete pads designed to contain spills and overflow and/or contaminated precipitation. When they are properly bermed, they also divert uncontaminated surface runoff from the mixing/loading structure. These systems are usually sized to fit equipment, and storage areas. Liquid that is contained within the mixing/loading facility is called a sump mixture.

Permanent handling facilities should be located near storage areas and should be designed to prevent runoff.

Figure 1. Permanent handling facility

A Sump Mixture

• should contain the tank mix approved product mix
• should not be mixed with other pesticide products
• should be stored in separate containers and labeled
  
• should be applied to labeled crop or used as part of the next tank using the same pesticide product(s).

Each sump mixture should be collected and stored in a separate container following the use of that pesticide (and before a different pesticide is used). This mixture can then be used to apply to that labeled crop or used as mix water for the next batch of similar pesticide to be made.

Mixing/Loading at Application Site

Permanent sites for mixing/loading are the preferred system for environmental protection. However, due to practicality or cost, many operators do mixing/loading in the field or orchard - provided the operation is conducted no closer than 90 metres (300 ft.) to surface water sources.

Two acceptable methods are:

• move the mixing/loading area on a regular basis - provided recommended separation distances are observed
• acceptable method for large-scale (field crop) applications when you bring source of water to mixing/loading site

or

• excavate or berm a shallow area for in-field mixing/loading and line this area with an impervious liner
• be sure to bring source of water to mixing area and observe recommended separation distances.

Permanent mixing/loading facilities should be constructed with impermeable concrete to contain spills.

Figure 2. Permanent mixing/loading facility

Portable Pads and Trays

There are several commercial products available to help with mixing/loading at site of spray application.

Portable pads can be used at temporary sites to contain spills from overflow provided they are used at least 90 metres (300 ft.) from any surface water. They are fabric liners with berms around the perimeter. Ensure that purchased portable pads are recommended for use with agricultural chemicals. After use, they can be cleaned and stored for reuse.

Figure 3. Portable pads are fabric liners with berms around the perimeter.

Flexible or inflatable synthetic drive-over pads are designed to catch drips and spills (like an inflatable swimming pool).

Shallow (15 centimetres [6 in.] curb) rigid plastic or fibreglass trays have built-in ramps or elevated vehicle tracks. The trays measure from 2.4 to 3 metres by 4.8 to 6 metres (8-10 x 16-20 ft.).

| Best Management Practices - Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application |