Pesticides can be hazardous if not used safely. Pesticides can enter the body in three ways--by mouth, through the skin and eyes, and through inhalation (breathing into the lungs). READ labels carefully--one section of the label will tell you about the toxicity of the product when it enters the body. Please see the OSH Answers series on Pesticides for more information about how to work safely with pesticides, first aid, labels, re-entry time, etc. There are many tips in other Landscaping OSH Answers documents.
The importance of working safely with or near pesticides cannot be over emphasized. Always read the label and follow the directions. Always follow all of the safety instructions. Many incidents occur when pesticides are being mixed or prepared for use. DO
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NOTE: The term "pesticide" describes a very large and diverse group of chemicals or products. It is very important to always get specific information about the exact product you are using. For more information, other OSH Answers documents in this series include:
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Each pesticide will have specific storage instructions. Remember that many pesticides may contain ingredients ("inert" ingredients) that will have their own hazards. This checklist is one that you can modify for your specific needs and the exact pesticides you work with.
(Adapted from: WorkSafe Alberta - Using pesticides safely) Document last updated on August 4, 2016
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