Farm safety - handling agrichemicals

Chemicals on the farm can be dangerous. Common agricultural chemicals (agrichemicals) include fuels, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers and veterinary chemicals. A farmer needs to take care when storing, transporting, using and disposing of chemicals to ensure their own safety and that of the environment.

Any chemical should be treated with extreme caution and only ever used according to the instructions. Vapours or direct exposure can lead to a variety of health effects, including headache, poisoning, burns, cancers and birth defects.

Hazardous materials are required by law to include a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and label. The MSDS gives valuable information on how to safely handle the chemical. Before using any farm chemical, you should read the label, understand the MSDS, do a chemical users course (such as ChemCert), and follow usage instructions.

To further reduce the risks, it is worth remembering that hazardous chemicals can occasionally be replaced with less toxic options. Sometimes, a safer form of the product is available. For example, pellets may be used instead of powder.

Common agrichemicals

Agricultural chemicals may be purchased in various concentrations and forms (liquid, powder, granules, pellets and so on), depending on their intended use. Many of the more potent chemicals require the farmer to have completed chemical training.

Commonly used agrichemicals include:

• Glyphosate
• Aluminium/Zinc phosphide – fumigant
• Organophosphates
• Pyrethroids
• Methyl bromide
• Sodium Fluoroacetate – ‘1080’ baits
• Strychnine
• Paraquat, Diquat
• Cresol
• Alkaline and acid-cleaning agents
• Formalin
• Nutritional supplements – selenium and copper
• Livestock vaccines.

Side effects of exposure

The effects of chemical exposure depend on the type of chemical and the degree of exposure. If chemicals are swallowed, absorbed through the skin or inhaled as a mist, vapour or dust, some of the immediate and long-term effects can include:

• Poisoning
• Headache
• Nausea
• Skin rashes and irritation
• Chemical burns
• Cancer
• Birth defects
• Diseases of the lungs, liver or kidneys
• Nervous system disorders.

If you notice any of these symptoms after being exposed to chemicals, then you should seek immediate medical attention. Adverse outcomes should also be reported to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

MSDS information

Manufacturers and importers are required to supply a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that details information on the chemical, including:

• The registered use of the chemical
• Precautions for use
• Possible health effects
• Safety measures for handling
• Contact numbers for further information
• Withholding periods – It is the responsibility of the farmers to ensure correct usage and slaughter or production-withholding periods are observed.

It is important that you research chemicals prior to purchase to ensure that you buy the most suitable and least dangerous chemical available to do the job you require. MSDSs can be found online to assist in safe and effective chemical choices and should be thoroughly read before use and kept in an accessible place for reference.

Safe storage of chemicals

Suggestions for the safe storage of chemicals include:

• Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions for proper storage.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers and don’t pour into smaller bottles.
• Don’t remove labels from containers.
• Store chemicals in a locked, well-ventilated shed with floors that will contain spills.
• Store chemicals and personal protective equipment (PPE) in different locations.
• Store the filter(s) from masks separately to contaminated protective equipment when not in use – for example, in a zip-locked bag or an ice cream container.
• Do not store liquid chemicals above solids.
• Separate different classes of chemicals to prevent reactions.
• Store animal feeds, seeds and fertilisers separately from other chemicals.
• Have mop-up materials on hand, such as sand, soil or drysorb.
• Keep ignition sources well away from chemicals.
• Keep a record of the chemicals you buy, store and use.

Safe transport of chemicals

Suggestions for the safe transporting of chemicals include:

• Transport chemicals separately from food, water, animal feeds, seeds and fertilisers. This applies to transport of household and home garden quantities of the chemical, as well as bulk transport.
• Drums of agricultural chemicals should not be transported in enclosed cabins with the driver and passengers.
• Secure your load.
• Carry a written record of the chemicals you are transporting.
• Take all appropriate protective gear along with you.

Safe use of chemicals

Suggestions for the safe use of chemicals include:

• Ensure anyone using agricultural chemicals is suitably trained to use both the chemical and any equipment required for application.
• Use chemical decanting kits to reduce the risk of spills and splashes while mixing chemicals.
• Only mix the quantity of chemical required for the task at hand.
• Make sure the decanting and mixing area is well ventilated. If this is not possible, ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn for enclosed environments.
• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the label.
• Always wear protective clothing such as chemical-resistant gloves, face shields or masks, overalls and goggles.
• Avoid exposing non-target animals or plants.
• Triple rinse equipment after chemical application and dispose of the rinse water (rinsate) appropriately. Rinsate contains low concentrations of the chemical from the cleaning process.

Safe disposal procedures

Suggestions for the safe disposal of chemicals include:

• Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions for proper disposal of both chemicals and rinsate from equipment.
• Thoroughly triple rinse and then puncture empty containers to prevent reuse for other purposes.
• Return empty containers to the manufacturer or check with your local council on proper disposal methods.
• Audit your chemical store on a regular basis and dispose of any excess or outdated chemicals in the appropriate manner.

The Australian Industry Waste Reduction Scheme provides for the safe collection and recycling of cleaned chemical containers (through the drumMUSTER program) and the collection of unwanted rural, agricultural and veterinary chemicals (through the ChemClear program).

Seek medical help

• If you think you are suffering any ill effects from chemical exposure, see your doctor immediately, contact Poisons information 13 11 26 or go to a hospital with an emergency department. Be sure to inform them what chemicals you may have been exposed to (take your MSDS).
• Try to avoid using the chemical in the future, select the safest possible chemical to use and follow MSDS.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Health Service (ensure it has an emergency department)
• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
• National Centre for Farmer Health Tel. (03) 5551 8533
• WorkSafe Victoria Tel. (03) 9641 1444 or 1800 136 089
• Victorian Farm Safety Centre Tel. (03) 5335 3703
• Farmsafe Australia Tel. (02) 6752 8218
• drumMUSTER Tel. (02) 6230 6712
• ChemClear Tel. (02) 6230 4799
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 – seven days a week, 24 hours a day – for advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention advice.

Things to remember

• Exposure to chemicals can lead to a variety of immediate or long-term health effects including headache, poisoning, respiratory illness, burns and birth defects.
• Manufacturers and importers are required to supply a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that explains how to handle the chemical safely.
• Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions on storage, use and disposal of chemicals.
• Organisations such as WorkSafe Victoria can offer valuable advice on improving health and safety on your farm.

You might also be interested in:

• Cadmium.
  
• Chemicals - spray drift.
  
• Environmental health.
  
• Eye injuries - liquid splashes.
  
• Farm safety - children.
  
• Farm safety - confined spaces.
  
• Farm safety - handling animals.
  
• Farm safety - machinery.
  
• Farm safety - manual handling.
  
• Farm safety - quad bikes.
  
• Farm safety - sheep and shearing.
  
• Farm safety - risks and hazards.
  
• Hazardous waste.
  
• Pollution - air.
  
• Workplace safety - hazardous substances.
  

Want to know more?

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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National Centre for Farmer Health

Last reviewed: August 2011

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Farm_safety_handling_chemicals?open">Farm safety - handling agrichemicals - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
There are many chemicals on the farm and some of them can be dangerous. Common agricultural chemicals include fuels, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and veterinary chemicals. Exposure to chemicals can lead to health effects including headache, poisoning, respiratory illness, burns, cancers and birth defects. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions for storage, transport, use and disposal of chemicals. Keep all chemicals locked away and out of reach of children and wear appropriate protective gear.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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