Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021 - 135

GENERAL INFORMATION
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Be sure to check current state and federal laws and regu lations
regarding the proper use, storage, and disposal of pesticides before
applying any chemicals. For restricted-use pesticides, an applicator
is required to be certified or to work under the direct supervision of
a certified individual. dditional information on Worker Protection
Standards (WPS) can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/htc.html.
CERTIFICATION-PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of
1972 (FIFRA) requires each state to set up a program to certify.
This certification is designed to show that users of pesticides know
how to use pesticides safely in order that they do not endanger the
user, fellow humans, or the environment. Users of pesticides are
classified as either private applicators or commercial applicators.
The certification process is somewhat different for each group. The
definitions of private and commercial applicators are as follows:
Private Applicator: Any person who uses, or supervises the use
of a restricted-use pesticide for the purpose of raising some type
of agricultural commod ity. The application can be done on land
owned or rented by the applicator or the applicator's employer.
However, any applications done on a " for-hire " basis are considered
commercial applications. Examples of private applicators are
dairy farmers, vegetable or fruit growers, greenhouse growers, and
ranchers.
Commercial Applicator: Any person who uses, or supervises the
use of, pesticides on a " for-hire " basis; any person who applies
pesticides for nonagricultural purposes; any person who applies
pesticides as a part of his or her job with any governmental agency
(public operator). Examples of commercial applicators are: exterminators;
landscapers; tree services; aerial applicators; weed-control
firms; and owners of apartments, motels, nursing homes,
restaurants, etc., who do their own pest control work.
For detailed information on certification of pesticide applicators,
call your state's Department of Agriculture or your local Extension
office for information.
HANDLING PESTICIDES
Before opening a pesticide container, all applicators should
carefully read the label, and accurately follow all directions and
precautions specified on the labeling. In order to handle and apply
pesticides safely, it is essential to use the proper personal protective
equipment (PPE). For the custom or professional applicator, which
includes both private and commercial applicators, safety equipment
should at least consist of the PPE listed on the product label.
Your physician should be advised of the types of pesticides
used in your work. Before the start of the spray season, each applicator
should have a baseline blood cholinesterase level determined
if you will be applying any organophosphate or carbamate insecticides.
When
applying pesticides, be sure to have a decontamination
site as required by the EPA's Worker Protection Standards
(WPS) and a supply of clean water and liquid detergent available
for drenching and washing in case of an accident. A single drop of
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135
certain pesticides in the eye is extremely hazardous. Be prepared to
wash a con taminated eye with clean water for 15 minutes.
Only an experienced applicator wearing the protective clothing
and safety equipment required by the manufac turer should handle
highly toxic pesticides, such as Guthion, Lannate, and Temik.
APPLYING PESTICIDES
Before using a pesticide, read and obey all labeling instructions.
Always have the label readily available when applying a pesticide.
Do
not handle or apply pesticides if you have a headache or
do not feel well. Never smoke, eat or drink while using pesticides.
Avoid inhaling pesticide sprays, dusts, and vapors.
If hands, skin, or other body parts become contaminated or
exposed, wash the area immediately with clean water and a liquid
detergent. If clothing becomes contaminated, remove it immediately.
Wash contaminated clothing separately. After each spraying
or dusting, bathe and change clothing; always begin the day with
clean clothing.
Always have someone present or in close contact when using
highly toxic pesticides -those with the signal word DANGER plus
the skull and crossbones symbol.
APPLY THE CORRECT DOSAGE
* To avoid excessive residues on crops for feed and food
* To achieve optimum pest control and minimum danger to
desirable organisms
* To avoid chemical damage to the crops
* To obtain the most economical control of pests.
Use pesticides for only those crops specified on the label, and
use only those that have state and federal registration. Avoid drift
to nontarget areas. Dusts drift more than sprays; airblast sprays
drift more than boom sprays. When cleaning or filling application
equipment, do not contaminate streams, ponds, or other water
supplies. Keep a record of all pesticides used.
TREATED AREAS
Be sure all treated areas are posted so as to keep out unauthorized
personnel. This should be a regular procedure for greenhouse
operators .
REENTRY PERIOD
Persons must not be allowed to enter the treated area until after
sprays have dried or dusts have settled and until suffi cient time
has passed to ensure that there is no danger of excessive exposure.
This time period is listed on the pesticide label as the Restricted
Entry Interval (REI). In no case during the reentry period are farm
workers allowed to enter the treated area to engage in activity requiring
substantial contact with the treated crop. PPE is required
for any early entry into the treated area and is only allowed for
trained applicators.
http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/htc.html
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021

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