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Eye ProtectionFor Pesticide Applicators

www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides

Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education

The Pesticide Label

• Risk Assessment• Toxicity• Formulation• Use pattern• Exposure • Dose• Closed-mixing

systems

pesticidepics.org

VERY RARELY would this much protection be warranted,

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TopicsRequirements for Eye Protection

Eye HazardsWays to Protect EyesPesticide Labels and MSDSsFirst Aid

How often do you wear eye protection when using or handling pesticides?

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1. All the time2. Always when the label requires3. Sometimes when the label requires4. Only in high risk situations 5. Seldom/never, even when label

requires6. Don’t use pesticides that require

eye protection

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Requirements for Eye Protection

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Eye Protection Requirements OSHA (federal) MNOSHA (OSHA plus MN state

requirements) Worker Protection Standard Eye PPE meets ANSI Z87 standards Pesticide Label and MSDSRequirements are minimums – can do more

if you feel situation requires it to provide full protection

Employer policies

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Eye Hazards

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Eye Hazards Harm to eyes is one of the most common

on the job injury in the United States Easily prevented Pesticides may harm eyes through:

Poisoning via dose (amount that enters the body)

Irritant Cornea damage Corrosive / chemical burn Allergic reaction Eye damage and even blindness

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Eyes Are Extremely AbsorbentBlood vessels very close to the

surface of the eyeFor size, able to absorb large

amounts of chemicalChemicals harm eyes directly

(contact harm) or can move elsewhere in the body (systemic harm)

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Eye Hazards

Pesticides vary in toxicity and corrosiveness Active ingredient (the pesticide) Formulation - physical form Formulation - other or inert ingredients

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Pesticide Eye Exposure: Sources Dusts, particles, mist, vapors, liquids Floating in air, splashes, drift, broken

hoses, spills Rubbing eyes with contaminated

hands or clothing

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Eye RiskSource ChemicalChemical Reaches the Eye (exposure)Chemical that Enters the Body (dose)

Source eye surface (exposure) inside eye (dose)

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Preventing ExposureEngineering Proper storage and disposal Packaging and closed-handling systems to load

pesticides During application (sprayer hoods, enclosed

cabs)Behaviors Safety practice Wearing PPE Knowing First Aid for eyes Decontamination procedures (PPE removal and

cleaning)

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE – Last Line of Defense

The Pesticide Label

• Who is Exposed?

• Mixer-loaders

• Applicators

• Equipment maintenance

• PPE is noted on the label per task

Lorsban 4E (2012)

National PPE Effort 2010 NIOSH National

Personal Protection Technology Laboratory

Extension Pesticide Safety Education Coordinators

EPA Pesticide Manufacturers PPE manufacturer Other researchers

Pesticide Label PPE Database Developed by Dr. Anugrah Shaw. Looked at 1,864 labels in CDMS for

PPE requirements Information assists in determining the

scope of the issue with the current PPE requirements on the label.

Protective Eyewear Requirements

Protective eyewear is

required for Toxicity

Categories I and II

Protective Headwear

Requirements

Headwear is required for Dermal Toxicity Category I or II products that might involve overhead exposure.

48 labels that require headgear require long-sleeved shirt and long pants

the lowest level of protection for the rest of the body.

Rain suits/chemical resistant suits are often worn for orchard spraying where not only the head but the entire back is wet from exposure.

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Ways to Protect Eyes

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Face Shields For minimal exposure conditions do not fully protect eyes against splashes Provides full face protection from particle

impacts – better if bottom curves inward towards chin

Comfort and less fogging Good protection against impacts Helps protect face from corrosive pesticides

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Shielded Safety Glasses For minimal exposure conditions do not fully protect eyes against splashes Brow shields and side shields Should have scratch resistant lenses For comfort and low fogging Many styles for those who want

something more attractive with options for sunglasses and ‘readers’

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Goggles For good eye protection against splashes Must fit secure against face all around the eyes Polycarbonate lenses protect eyes from impacts Direct vent goggles do not fully protect eyes against splashes

Use indirect vent or no vent goggles for splash protection & when label says ‘goggles’

Some have fog free lenses and/or ‘readers’

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Full Face Respirator If label requires respiratory

protection can wear label required eye protection with half face respirator

Full face respirator provides maximum protection for eyes and face due to air tight seal to skin

Respirators have special medical, fit testing and user leak check requirements

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Sources for Eye Protection Gempler’s 3M Viking Industrial Center (safety

supply) Grainger Many many other suppliers

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Eye PPE Maintenance Each item should be assigned and

fitted to each person – find correct size and model for different size faces.

Equipment should not be shared Equipment should not block

peripheral vision Discard scratched, damaged or

stained items

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Cleaning Eye PPE Clean all eye PPE after each use ALWAYS Follow manufacturer’s

directions for cleaning. Some types of eye PPE:

Non-detergent soap and water Soak for 10 minutes Rinse with running water Air dry or use cloth designed for cleaning

eyewear

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Storing Eye PPE Store goggles and safety glasses first in

their cases. Store all eye PPE in clean, dust proof

sealable container (box, bag, etc.) away from pesticides and pesticide residues

If not cleaned, do not store inside vehicle or cab

Store away from heat and sunlight as they may effect plastic components

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Contact Lenses Avoid wearing if possible Consult with your doctor Wear any required eye protection over

your contact lenses – contacts provide no protection to your eyes

Have an extra pair of lenses or prescription eye glasses with you

Safety glasses and goggles with prescription lenses are available

Certain types of goggles can be worn over regular prescription glasses

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Pesticide Labels and MSDSs

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Interpreting Labels for PPE Not all the info you

need to select, use and maintain PPE to adequately protect yourself is found on the label or MSDS

Labels tell you the kind of eye hazards and requirements to protect eyes

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Labels - Look For: Signal Word Hazard to Humans and Domestic

Animals statement First Aid section PPE requirements Agricultural Use Box (for WPS labels)

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Label Language If Based on Eyes Danger (tox I) Corrosive. Causes irreversible

eye damage. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. (Lists specific eye protection to wear.)

Warning (tox II) Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. (Lists specific eye protection to wear.)

Caution (tox III) Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. (May require eye protection.)

Caution (tox IV) no eye statements / requirements

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Labels Says…Wear: ‘Wear protective eyewear’

Face shield, shielded safety glasses, indirect vent goggles or full face respirator

‘Wear safety glasses’ shielded safety glasses, indirect vent

goggles or full face respirator Wear goggles’

indirect vent goggles or full face respirator

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What are your options?

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MSDS look for: Section 2: Hazardous

Ingredients toxicity, exposure levels

and more Section 6 Hazard Data

health effects Section 7 Prevention

PPE, safety practices Section 8: First Aid

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First Aid

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If it is in the eyes….Act as fast as possible…

Even a couple of seconds can make a difference…As eyes can quickly absorb large amounts of

chemical…

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If it is in the eyes….1. Activate eyewash station2. Continuously rinse the eye for 15 minutes

dripping water across the eye3. Remove contact lenses after 5 minutes, if

wearing4. If only one eye is involved, be careful not

to con taminate the other eye.5. Flush water under the eyelids for debris.6. Then cover the eye with a clean piece of

cloth and seek medical attention immediately.

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Worker Protection StandardWorkers and Handlers:

Enough water for routine washing and eye flushing

Water available at all times Quality & temp will not cause illness or injury Water kept from contamination by pesticides

Early Entry Workers 1 pint of water per worker if label

requires eye protection carried by worker or immediately accessible

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Plumbed Eye Wash Stations

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Plumbed Eye Wash Stations Eyewash and shower stations must meet

ANSI Z358 standards Many faucet-mounted stations do not meet

ANSI standards Water must be between 60 F and 100 F -

ensure the eyes and face can be flushed for 15 minutes

Once activated must be hands-free operation Be10 seconds or less away from worker Nozzles capped or covered

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Self-contained Portable Stations For places not practical to have

plumbed eye wash station.

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Self-contained Portable Stations Must provide 0.4 gallons a minute for

15 minutes (six-gallon capacity). The potable water or approved

flushing fluid must be replaced after any use and at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

Nozzle covered to prevent contamination

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Eye Wash Squeeze Bottles Are not hands-free and can not

provide enough water for 15 minute eye wash

Best as an interim emergency measure - get to eyewash station ASAP to complete 15 minute wash

Not acceptable replacement for places where OSHA requires eye wash stations

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Are regular glasses ever acceptable eye protection when handling pesticides 1. No2. Only when label

has no protective eye wear requirement

3. Yes, for most situations

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Who should care most about your eyes?

1. OSHA2. MN-OSHA3. EPA4. MDA5. Extension Educators6. You

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www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides

Pesticide Safety & Environmental Education