Farm safety - handling chemicals

Chemicals on the farm can be dangerous. Common agricultural chemicals include pesticides, herbicides, fungicides 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. Vapours or direct exposure can lead to a variety of health effects, including headache, poisoning, burns 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. 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 instead of powder.

Common chemicals
Agricultural chemicals may be purchased in various concentrations and forms (liquid, powder, granules, pellets and so on), depending on their intended use. Commonly used agricultural chemicals include:

• ‘1080’
• Aluminium phosphide
• Cresol
• Organophosphate pesticides
• Pyrethroids
• Methyl bromide
• Strychnine
• Tryquat.

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

• The registered use of the chemical
• Precautions for use
• Possible health effects
• Safety measures for handling
• Contact numbers for further information.

• Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions for proper storage.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers and don’t decant 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 icecream 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 or soil.
• Keep ignition sources well away from chemicals.
• Keep a record of the chemicals you buy, store and use.

• 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.

• 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, faceshields 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.

• 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.

• Your doctor
• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
• 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 3717
• Farmsafe Australia Tel. (02) 6752 8218
• drumMUSTER Tel. (02) 6230 6712
• ChemClear Tel. (02) 6230 4799

• 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.

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


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