• Text

Variabity of exposure to pesticides according to the spraying equipment used :

How can we reduce the operator’s exposure ?

Sonia Grimbuhler

• Text

New work practices to limit spray operator’s exposure.

Only an integrated approach that takes into consideration working, personal

and spray equipment design, and information on best practice will be efficient

on the long term.

A systematic ergonomics evaluation of sprayer interfaces aiming to reduce

direct and indirect operator contamination will help sprayer manufacturers for

designing new equipments based on safety.

In this respect, It appeared necessary to conduct an ergonomic study in order

to identify critical situations in terms of health and safety for the operators.

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Methodology

Activity analysis

Operator’s work during the whole spraying process in order to identify probable

contact sites.

Ergonomics inspection

Sprayer interfaces that examines, under different criteria, the different parts of the

sprayer that can come into contact with the operator during the inspection.

Grimbuhler et al., Work, 2012

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Methodology Standards Analysis

• NF EN ISO 4254-6

• NF EN ISO 16119 – 1 to 3

Failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)

Failure modes analysis in terms of potential exposure to PPP. A criticality

value for each element for different models of sprayer.

Element Failure Cause Effect Gravity Frequency Detection Criticality

Hand rinse

Rinsing tank

Filter

Incorporator / step

…

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Results

Standards Analysis

• NF EN ISO 4254-6

• NF EN ISO 16119 – 1 to 3

Organs Operator risk Environmental risk

Hand rinse yes -

Rinsing tank - yes

Filter yes yes

Pressure guage yes yes

Resevoir guage - yes

Pneumatic nozzle yes yes

Incorporator / step yes -

Drain plug yes yes

Container rinse - yes

Spray arm yes yes

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Results

Spraying equipment Cab PPP Tools Pipe

Contacts 44% 7% 20% 13% 16%

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Results

Grimbuhler et al., Work, 2012

Legend: Risks: Unacceptable Undesirable Tolerable Insignificant

Failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)

Failure modes analysis in terms of potential exposure to PPP.

• A criticality value for each element for different models of sprayer.

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Cab efficiency

Cab filtration

Manufacturer 1

Cab A

Filter P1

Filter S1

Filter S2

Manufacturer 2

Cab B

Cab B1

Filter P2A

Filter P2B

Filter S3A

Filter S3B

Cab B2

Filter S3C

Filter S4

Cab B3

Filter S3D

Cab C

Cab C1

Filter P3A

Filter S3E

Cab C2

Filter P3B

Filter S3F

Manufacturer 3

Cab D

Filter S5

Filter S6

Filter S7

Filter S8

Filter S9A

Filter S10A

Cab E

Filter S9B

Filter S10B

Filter S11

Filter S12

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Cab efficiency

CAB

no cab ½ Cab Cab

Air conditioned

pressurized

Filter P Filter S

Filter maintenance

Frequency change

No pressurized

No air conditioning

Maintenance

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Conclusion

• How can we reduce the operator’s exposure ?

– To consider the work environment, hazards and operators activities

– Needs and constraints of both users and manufacturers of spraying

equipment

• Contact between operator and different sprayer components

– Accissibility

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Perspectives

Work between users and manufacturers of spraying equipment

Reduce the operator’s exposure ?

– Court term

– Limit contact between operators and the equipement, dirty tools

and products

– Or even keep operators away from plant protection products

– Long term

• Is an unmanned sprayer conceivable or unrealistic?

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Variabity of exposure to pesticides according to the

spraying equipment used :

How can we reduce the operator’s exposure ?

Thank you

Thanks :

• Operators

• Irstea : « Chemical Risk » Team

Sonia Grimbuhler

sonia.grimbuhler@irstea.fr