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Handling Emergency Spills
InfoTrac's Emergency Response Hotline: (800) 535-5053
There are four basic steps to follow for the proper handling of a pesticide spill.
Good judgment and common sense must be used in determining which steps are taken first.
The technician must assess the situation and determine what hazard poses the greatest threat.
He/she should rectify the most serious situation immediately.
The four steps in spill control are as follows:
- Shut down of equipment and operations —
The technician should stop what he is doing and turn off any equipment he is operating.
If the spilled pesticide is flammable, all sources of ignition (i.e., pilot lights, gasoline engines, etc.) should be shut off to prevent fire or explosion.
If the equipment involved does not belong to you, the owner and/or operator of the equipment may be enlisted to help shut off the equipment.
- Containing and controlling the spill —
Attempts should be made to stop further leakage from the pesticide container or tank.
Next, the applicator should contain the size of the present spill to prevent it from spreading to adjacent areas especially storm drains, wells, water systems, and waterways.
Pesticide spills should never be hosed down with water - this will only spread the contamination.
Technicians should use the materials in their spill control kits to contain the spill by encircling the area with spill control pillows, a dike of sand, absorbent materials, sand snakes, or as a last resort, soil or rags.
Once contained, the spill should then be covered.
Absorbent material like Soak-Up should then be used if the spill is a liquid pesticide.
If the spill is a dry material, polyethylene or plastic tarpaulins should be used to cover the pesticide.
- Provide first aid assistance to affected individuals —
There may be an occasion when the public is exposed to pesticides due to a chemical spill.
Follow the pesticide label in providing first aid assistance.
Pesticide labels and MSDS's should be provided to health personnel providing medical assistance to affected persons.
Infotrac can also provide medical information.
Medical assistance should be sought when needed.
Facts concerning the toxicity of the material and the extent to which the individual has been exposed will aid in determining the threat to health.
The health needs of the technician must be addressed as well.
First aid should be administered when necessary and the proper protective clothing should be worn by personnel when working around the pesticide spill.
People present at the scene of the accident should be advised to stay clear of the pesticide spill.
Roping off the area and posting warning signs is one method of notifying bystanders of the hazards associated with the spill.
In a structure where only a few individuals are present, verbal communications with the occupants is probably the best method of notification.
In either case, it is important to protect the public from possible pesticide exposure.
- Clean-up and Decontamination —
The manufacturer should be consulted for clean-up and decontamination procedures of pesticide spills.
The branch office will make the necessary contacts.
Infotrac can also be consulted for information.
Infotrac provides information on clean-up of large pesticide spills due to transportation accidents or warehouse fires.
All absorbent used for liquid spill clean-up must be collected and placed in a leak-proof container.
Plastic bags have been included in the spill control kit for this purpose.
The container should then be properly labeled and returned to the office for disposal or recycling.
Soil or other materials used for diking spills must also be collected and returned to the office for disposal.
Dry pesticides should be collected and placed in heavy duty plastic bags or drums.
Again, containers must be marked and returned to the office for disposal or reuse.
Once the bulk of the pesticide spill has been removed, the surfaces affected by the pesticide spill must be decontaminated per the manufacturer's directions.
Decontamination procedures may vary depending on the type of surface involved.
If an affected material or surface cannot be decontaminated adequately, it must be collected and placed in a sealed, leak-proof drum.
All drums must be labeled and disposed of in a hazardous waste disposal facility.
Technicians should follow these steps in order to prevent pesticide spills from occurring:
- Use only pesticide application equipment that is in good working order.
Check equipment before it is used for faulty hoses and parts.
- Mix all pesticides outside near your vehicle.
Fill all application equipment on the exterior of the structure.
Do not carry any pesticide concentrates into your customer's building.
If a concentrate must be taken in, it must be kept in a locked service kit.
Only single use containers or the smallest size package may be carried.
- Mix pesticides for power spraying units at each job.
Mix only the amount needed for that job.
Travel from job site to job site with the power spraying unit tank empty when possible.
- Store all pesticides in containers that are in sound condition.
Transfer pesticides out of leaking containers immediately.
- Drive defensively.
Pesticide spills can result from an overturned power spraying truck or service vehicle.
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