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2. Agricultural chemical safety

Contents

1. Facts

Most agricultural chemicals are hazardous and can cause injury or harm to health if not handled and used correctly and stored and disposed of safely. The effects of chronic exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides, are not always immediately obvious and sometimes do not appear for many years. Sometimes the effects of exposure are subtle, such as personality changes or memory loss.

2. Reducing the risks

Chemicals commonly used on rural properties include fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, animal medications, acids, cleaning agents and solvents.

Suppliers of hazardous substances are required to make available safety information in the form of a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each product. A register containing a list of all hazardous substances and their MSDS must be maintained at the property.

For each chemical hazard identified, assess the likelihood and severity of an injury, harmful reaction or a hazardous incident occurring. This might include assessing procedures for decanting and using the chemicals and the effectiveness of protective equipment and checking how toxic the chemical is.

Consider the best way to minimise or control these hazards, put control strategies in place and review the effectiveness of these strategies regularly.

3. General safety tips

  • Ensure the register of hazardous substances is maintained and up to date.
  • Read and follow the labels and MSDS for information on hazards, personal protective equipment, safe handling, transport, storage and disposal for each hazardous chemical.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when handling and using chemicals.
  • Use the least hazardous chemical available and use it at the recommended rate.
  • Prepare enough of the chemical for immediate use only.
  • Make sure equipment for applying chemicals works properly and does not leak.
  • Don’t eat, drink or smoke while pouring, mixing or spraying chemicals.
  • Avoid working alone if you are using highly toxic chemicals, or have some form of mobile communication close by.
  • Advise someone where you will be working and how long you intend to be gone.
  • Clean all equipment thoroughly in an area where run-off will not create a hazard or contaminate the environment.
  • Wash work clothing separately from domestic clothing or use disposable clothing.
  • After handling hazardous chemicals wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking or going to the toilet.

4. Take precautions

  • Provide a first aid kit.
  • Provide an eye wash station or disposable eye wash bottle.
  • Keep fresh water close by for washing.
  • Have a family member or another person at the property attend a first aid course.
  • Check the labels, MSDS and other safe-handling guides for hazardous chemicals to make sure you have the correct antidotes, emergency equipment and facilities available.
  • Stop work immediately and seek medical attention if there is any sign of muscular spasm, blurred vision, excessive saliva or difficulty breathing during or after using hazardous farm chemicals.

5. Storage of chemicals

In order to protect people, the environment and property, the following principles are provided for guidance in determining where to store chemicals where this is not specifically covered by local government zoning or building by-laws.

  • Avoid proximity to watercourses, dams and storm water channels.
  • Ensure the area selected is above the highest recorded flood level.

Consideration must be given to the distances hazardous substance stores are located from the boundary of the premises and from any other building on the site. This information varies depending on the class and quantities of substances stored and can be found in the relevant Australian Standards.

i. Type of installation

The type of installation is dependent on the type and quantity of hazardous substances to be stored, and may be one of the following:

Type A
An indoor storage cabinet, which is securely locked and located within a building. The building may be used for some other purpose.

Type B
An enclosed area separated by a wall, located within or attached to a building. The building may be used for some other purpose.

Type C
An isolated building not within or attached or abutting to any other building.

Type D
An outside storage installation enclosed by a fence with security protection on top. Where a gate is required this shall be lockable for security. As a general principle, hazardous substances should be stored under cover. Outside storage, although sometimes unavoidable, should be only short term and confined to materials that are known to be stable in these conditions.

A procedure for regular inspection and maintenance of all storage and handling facilities should be established and implemented.

Note: Tanks for flammable liquids and gases should not be located within buildings.

ii. Segregation of chemicals

Segregation is the isolation of incompatible hazardous substances from each other. Incompatible hazardous substances must be segregated from each other by a distance of at least five metres. Provision should be made so that any spillage of one product can not flow and come into contact with another incompatible product.

Hazardous substances should only be kept in their original containers or in containers that have been specifically designed for the particular hazardous substance.

Packages may be stacked provided that the packages are not likely to fall and that such stacking is not likely to damage other packages in the stack.
Reference needs to be made to the MSDS for each hazardous substance to determine its compatibility with other hazardous substances.

iii. Construction of storage facility

Materials. Each storage facility should have wall, roof and main structural members constructed from materials that are non-combustible and impervious to the hazardous substances stored.

Flooring. Goods should be stored on or above a concrete floor or other impervious surface. Containment should be provided for at least 25 percent of any liquid stored therein in drums and / or 100 percent of any liquid stored in bulk tanks. Ideally the floor should be graded to an area (or preferably a sump) to facilitate collection and subsequent disposal of any spills and washing water.

Racking and Shelving. Adequate provision should be made in the form of racks / shelves made of non-combustible and impervious materials.

Ventilation. Adequate ventilation is required to ensure the safe dispersal of vapours especially during decanting and product transfers. Any buildings used for the storage of hazardous substances must be provided with upper and lower level vents in at least two opposite walls to aid cross ventilation.

Security. All storage installations must be secured from access by unauthorised persons by the use of locks.

Signage. Sign(s) delineating the storage installation must be displayed.

Cleaning. Provision must be made for washing down the store floor with water.

iv. Washing facilities

There must be an adequate water supply for emergencies, and washing personal protective equipment.

v. Heat and ignition sources

All storages should be kept away from sources of heat such as heating appliances and direct exposure to the sun.

Flammable gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids and oxidising agents should be kept away from sources of ignition such as light switches, refrigerators, welders and exposed flames. Particular care should be taken to avoid ignition sources and static electricity when flammable gases and liquids are transferred.

Do not smoke or use any other source of ignition eg oxy torch, unprotected electrical equipment, in any area used for the storage of hazardous substances.

vi. Storage of personal protective equipment

An adequate area, separate from the hazardous substance storage area is required for all personal protective equipment.

vii. Fire protection and emergency planning

At least one of the following fire protection measures must be provided in a readily accessible location to areas used for the storage and handling of hazardous substances:

    • One dry powder fire extinguisher having a rating of at least 40B(E).
    • A hose connected to a reliable water supply.
    • Bucket(s) of clean dry sand with shovels for spreading.

It is also required that the types of emergencies that may arise be identified eg fire, spill, poisoning, explosion and actions for dealing with these events be implemented. Examples include;

    • Provision of suitable fire extinguishing agents.
    • Provision any neutralising agents.
    • Training workers how to raise an alarm.
    • Training workers on who to contact for assistance in case of emergencies.

The area within three metres of any storage area shall be kept clear of any combustible materials or vegetation.

6. Transport of chemicals

  • Avoid transporting chemicals with food, water, animal feed or other reactive hazardous substances.
  • Secure hazardous substances on the vehicle so they can’t move or fall.
  • Keep a record of the chemicals you are carrying.
  • Carry suitable personal protective equipment, including respiratory equipment if necessary, in case of emergency.

7. Disposal of chemicals

  • Take notice of any warnings on the label regarding toxicity to non-target areas eg animals or plants.
  • Check the label and MSDS for advice on disposal of chemicals and containers.
  • Triple rinse empty containers to remove all traces of the chemical.
  • Uncap, puncture and crush all rinsed containers.
  • Where possible return containers to the manufacturer or supplier, or contact Drum Muster or your local government authority for information on the procedures for safe disposal of containers or remaining chemicals.

8. Further information

Australian Standards

    Australian Standards are available from Standards Australia

    • AS/NZS 1596-2002 Storage and handling of LP Gas
    • AS 1940-1993 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
    • AS 2507-1998 The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
    • AS 3780-1994 The storage and handling of corrosive substances
    • AS 4332-1995 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders
    • AS/NZS 4452-1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances

    Codes of Practice

    Guidance Notes

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