Safety
28
Minimum Protection
A minimum level of protection is required when working
with dilute, less toxic or granular pesticides. Where there
is a direct contact with the pesticide, add extra protection.
Hard hat
(
wide brimmed,
no leather liner)
Coveralls
cloth or disposable
(
wear closed at neck,
over long-sleeved shirt
and full-length pants)
Gloves
unlined, nitrile or
neoprene (cuff gloves
and wear sleeves over
gloves)
Boots
neoprene overboots or
high rubber boots
(
wear pants outside boots)
Extra Protection
Extra protection is required for mixing, loading and
handling pesticide concentrates, especially when working
with highly toxic pesticides. Check pesticide label.
Goggles or
face shield
Respirator
(
check label if needed
for less toxic pesticides)
Hooded coveralls
chemically resistant
(
when mixing,
loading or applying
very toxic pesticides
and when application
drenches applicator)
Waterproof apron
(
when handling all
concentrated pesticides)
Coveralls
Wear coveralls, closed at the neckline and wrists and
over full-length pants and long-sleeved shirts, also
worn closed at the neckline and wrists.
Minimum protection
•
Cloth – if cotton or cotton/polyester coveralls are
worn, they should be washed after daily use. Some
pesticides are difficult to remove from cloth.
•
Disposable, nonwoven – a number of limited use,
disposable, nonwoven, hooded coveralls are now
on the market; instead of laundering, they are
disposed of at an approved landfill and thus, the
problem of decontamination is avoided. Not all
disposables are suitable for pesticide use, especially
for liquid pesticides. Check with your supplier.
Common disposable brands are Kimberly-Clark
KleenGuard LP (Liquid Protection) and DuPont
Tyvek. Both disposables provide an extra layer
of protection. Check for comfort and size before
purchase. Disposable coveralls are more fragile
than standard ones and are only expected to last
a limited number of wearings.
Extra protection
•
DuPont’s Tyvek QC (polyethylene coated Tyvek)
and Tyvek/Saranex (saran coated Tyvek) provide
greater durability and are more repellent to larger
pesticide spills. However, they are more expensive
and must be specially ordered. These coveralls
are uncomfortable when worn for long periods
in hot weather because of heat build-up and lack
of breathability.
•
Impermeable rainwear – two styles are available:
coveralls or two-piece suits. They are similar in
price to the more expensive disposable coveralls.
Generally, they are a P.V.C. (polyvinyl chloride)
coating on nylon. Although excellent in liquid
repellency, they too can be uncomfortable because
they do not breathe and cannot be worn for long
periods in hot weather. After use, they should be
hosed down and washed with soap and water.