Working with Toxic Chemicals Safely
Farming chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, animal medications, cleaning agents and solvents are hazardous to your health and can cause both illness and/or injury if they are not handled correctly. If you are working with a chemical, you should first identify its potential hazards, become familiar with how to best protect yourself and be aware of the proper procedures necessary in case a hazardous incident takes place. With the right safety practices, you can stay safe while working with chemicals as outlined in the following safety recommendations:
General Safety Precautions:
Comply with the manufacturer’s label and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) regarding hazards, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), handling, transport, storage and disposal of chemicals.
Never eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics while working with chemicals.
Clean equipment thoroughly in an area where run-off will not create further hazards or contaminate the environment or water source.
Wear the appropriate PPE and equipment when handling chemicals.
If the injured or ill person does not have any of the symptoms listed above, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. When calling, have the chemical container handy to instruct the operator as to what the person was exposed to so that you can receive the correct directions on how to properly treat the injured or ill person.
Have further questions about how you can keep your workers safe while working with hazardous chemicals? Contact GDI Insurance to find out more!