Pesticide Storage, Handling, and Application - Structures

Table of Contents

1. Performance Criteria for Pesticide Storage
2. Comparing Storage Types
3. Storage Practices
4. Storage During Transportation
5. In Summary
6. Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

Here are the performance requirements for a pesticide storage. In some jurisdictions, these items are legal requirements.

Performance Criteria for Pesticide Storage

Figure 1. Performance Criteria for Pesticide Storage (described below).

• Food and Livestock Kept Away - pesticides must be stored in such a manner that the pesticide will not come into contact with food or drink intended for human or animal consumption.

• Products Stored Safely and Securely - pesticide products must be stored in such a way that the health and safety of any person are not impaired.

• Environmental Protection - stored products must not contaminate the environment or other pesticides. Site storage away from surface water and natural areas.

• Only Pesticides Allowed in Storage - pesticide storages must only be used for the storage of pesticides.

• Sign on Doors - a Chemical Storage Warning sign must be permanently affixed to or adjacent to the outside of each entrance leading into the storage area.

• Ventilation- the storage should be ventilated to the outside atmosphere. Either natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation may be used to exhaust fumes from the storage, and improve air quality.

• Locked Doors - the door must be locked to prevent theft and unauthorized entry.

• Protective Clothing and Respiratory Equipment Area - these must be readily available and stored so that they do not become contaminated, e.g., in an adjacent room or a nearby building. Protective clothing and respiratory equipment includes: chemical-resistant gloves and apron, long-sleeved shirt and pants or coveralls, boots, waterproof hat, goggles, face shields, and respirators.

• Contingency Plan - emergency telephone numbers must be displayed in a permanent place close to a telephone. Numbers should include hospital, ambulance, physician, poison control centre, spills action centre, fire department, police, and the Ministry of the Environment.

• Floor is Impermeable, Curbed, and Sealed - the storage area should have a floor that does not allow material to leak into or through it. It should NOT have floor drains of any sort. Many operators use sealed concrete. In order to contain any spills, there should also be a curb around the entire floor perimeter of the storage facility. The curb should be adequate to contain 110% of the largest containment vessel or 10% of the aggregate volume of all containers, whichever is the larger of the two. A curb height of 50-100 mm (2-4 in.) is usually adequate.

• Absorbent Materials Available - materials such as sawdust, soil, and kitty litter should be available for a spill cleanup.

• Separated by Pesticide Type - the area should be set up so that herbicides are stored separately from insecticides and fungicides.

• Structure and Pesticides Kept Dry - the storage should be kept dry and secure to protect the stored chemicals. Moisture can cause some packaging material to rupture and split, or labels to become difficult to read.

• Firewalls - if the pesticide storage facility is constructed within another building, the interior separation walls of the pesticide storage should have a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour. The primary entrance to the storage area should be from the outside.

• Products Kept Off Floor Using Pallets - keep containers off the floor with pallets to maximize the space available for containment of a spill.

• Door Sizes Adequate - make sure you consider the size of the doors so that bulk pesticides may be stored.
  

The storage and handling requirements will change with each farm operation.

The size of the storage building will be determined by:

• type and quantity of pesticides stored
• size of containers typically used
• formulation - liquid or dry.

It is uncertain what form future pesticides will take. The current trend is toward more concentrated forms of materials. Highly concentrated formulations should require less - possibly unheated - space. The use of large containers, such as drums or bulk storage, may have to be considered.

Storage cabinets can be used for storing small volumes. Whether they're constructed, prefabricated or modified cabinets (e.g., freezers), they must meet many of the design criteria of the larger freestanding storages.

Freestanding storages are either:

• farm-built - suggestions follow on how to approach the construction of your own facility: pay particular attention to floor characteristics
• prefabricated - in order to save time, growers may choose a ready-made unit designed to meet pesticide storage requirements.

Storage within, or attached to, another building is also an option. A few guidelines are provided in this book.

Comparing Storage Types

Storage Cabinet

Pros

• movable
  
• may be low cost

Cons

• limited size

Prefabricated

Pros

• convenient
  
• generally competitive costs
  
• designed for this purpose

Cons

• not always available in all regions

Farm-Built

Pros

• build to size needed
  
• low cost if built by farmer

Cons

• difficult to construct quality floor, i.e., sealed

Storage within Building

Pros

• makes use of some of the existing walls
  
• may be less cost

Cons

• risk to other stored items
  
• fire hazard potential
  
• removes that portion of building from original use

Storage Practices

Observe and comply with the following management practices when planning a pesticide storage facility for your farm:

• store all pesticides in their original labeled containers

• keep containers properly labeled

• monitor the condition of containers and check for leaks

• minimize quantity of pesticides stored - at most buy only what your need for each season

• keep an inventory of your stock to inform emergency response personnel in case of fire or other emergency - make sure the inventory is accessible but away from pesticide storage

• prepare a written spill emergency/contingency plan and locate in an accessible location on the farm

• make available absorbent material (such as dry sawdust, soil, or kitty litter) in sufficient quantity to clean up any spills or leaks from containers

• put a clean plastic bag around any damaged bag - close it securely and label it with all pertinent information

Figure 2. Do not store pesticides in any container that was previously used for food or drinks.

Storage During Transportation

The purpose of the legislation surrounding the transport of pesticides is to ensure human safety and prevent spills. Check with local authorities to ensure that you adhere to transportation requirements of related legislation.

In summary

• be certain that anyone transporting pesticides is trained shipping documents, and the use of placards

• lock pesticides in the trunk or storage area of the vehicle passenger area - if the pesticide cannot be locked securely, an authorized person must stay with the vehicle

• observe all restrictions on pesticide quantities (vehicles transporting in excess of 500 litres)

• place a warning sign that states Chemical Storage - Authorized Persons Only on an unattended, parked vehicle that contains pesticides

• keep pesticides separate from other products

• report all accidents that represent a danger to humans, property, or the environment.

Figure 3. Spills and human safety are a concern when transporting pesticides. Take the necessary precautions.

Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

Structures

• Storage Cabinet
  • Horizontal and Vertical Specifications
• Farm-built Free-standing
  • Pros / Cons - chart
  • Layout and Storage Space
  • Floors - chart, Walls, Heating and Insulation, Protection from Freezing
  • Natural Ventilation, Mechanical Ventilation
  • Construction: How to Construct a Reinforced Concrete Floor
  • Pros / Cons of Floors: Reinforced Concrete, done on site or prefabricated, and Steel Floor
  • Protective Coatings for Floors (Concrete Sealing Products)
  • Walls and Roof Construction Checklist
  • Full Plan for Farm-built Freestanding Pesticide Storage
• Prefabricated Freestanding
  • Prefabricated Freestanding Structures and Other Storage Types
    - cost comparison
  • What to look for in Purchasing a Prefabricated Storage
• Storage Within Another Building
• Temporary Storage
• Worker Safety Area

Storage Practices

• Emergency Preparation: Emergency Response Plan / Spills Contingency Plan
  Pesticide Fires in Storage Areas

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