Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697800069896.pdf (Dominica)
GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES P e r s onal Pr o t e c t i nt e m e E q uip v g o g g l e s r o respirat i v e l i hoods Clim ate R y Agricultural L c n e g r e m E M e s i l i e n c e P r o j e c t d Fisheries n i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a Safe and EfﬁcientUse of PesticidesApplying theSEUP i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides INTRODUCTION The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Emergency Agriculture Livelihood and Climate Resilience Project (EALCRP) has received pesticides to combat pest, disease in an effort to increasing crop yield and ensuring that farms are sustainably restored.
Pesticides, however, if not used properly can pose harm to the environment and negatively impact human health.

The project has carefully selected pesticides that are classified as slightly hazardous (Class III) based on the World Health Organization of pesticide classification.

• It has also abided by the World Bank guidelines that pesticides used: • Have minor adverse effects on human health.

• Must be shown to be effective against the target species.
• Must have minimal effect on non-target species and the natural environment.

• The methods, timing and frequency of pesticide application are aimed to minimize damage to natural enemies.

• Finally, to take into account the need to prevent the development of resistance in pests.
The PIU is working closely with the Plant Protection Unit through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches such as biological control, cultural practices, and the development and use of crop varieties that are resistant or tolerant to the pest.

The Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture have developed a plant protection approach geared to strengthen the plant so that it would not be significantly stressed by pest or disease infestation.
The best method of reducing pesticide exposure is abstinence.

However, for pest infestation that cannot be sustainably controlled, the Project has development this Efficient and Safe Use of Pesticides guideline booklet to further enforce the safe measure in the application of pesticides.
E T I C I D S E P i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides TRANSPORTATION & HANDLING PESTICIDE PESTICIDE Never transport pesticides in the passenger area of a vehicle.

Instead, place them in the trunk or truck bed.

Do not bag pesticides with groceries or other household items, nor carry them in the same area of a vehicle to avoid accidental contamination.
Make sure pesticide container lids are securely fastened.

Secure containers in an upright position to ensure that they cannot fall or be knocked over.

Wrap glass containers in paper to protect from breaking.

Protect pesticides from extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Extreme temperature can damage containers and cause chemicals to lose effectiveness.
Never leave pesticides unattended in an unlocked trunk or open truck bed 1 PESTICIDEPESTICIDEPESTICIDE i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n PESTICIDE SIGNAL WORDS How toxic is the product?

CAUTION mildly toxic WARNING moderately toxic DANGER highly toxic DIRECTIONS FOR USE How and where should I used this product?

How much is OK?
How much is OK?

Not following product instructions is not only dangerous, but illegal!

PRECAUTIOARY STATEMENTS How can the product be used safely?

FIRST AID What should I do if it get in my eyes, mouth, lungs or on my skin?

y Agricultural L c n e g r e m E M i v e l ihoods Clim ate R e s i l i e n c e P r o j e c t d Fisheries n i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a ACTIVE INGREDIENTS What is in the product?

STORAGE & DISPOSAL How does this product have to be stored?
What should I do with leftovers I don’t need?

2 i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides STORAGE Pesticides are poison that can cause serious harm to humans, animals and the environment.

Therefore, pesticides should be handled with care and properly stored.
Keep Pesticides in their original container Don`t store pesticides at your home Keep Pesticides lock in a dry, well-ventilated area and out of direct sunlight No decanting or sharing of pesticides PESTICIDE CHECK OUT THE WEATHER M O N DAY January 01 R O S E A U 1 5 ⁰ C Cool breeze • Check out the weather forecast, applying pesticide just before or after raining can wash the pesticide off the application site into drains or waterways.
• High fog and humidity can prolong drying times and increase the potential for runoff of pesticides T U E S D AY W E D N E S D AY T H U R S D AY F R I D AY • High temperatures can increase the evaporation of the pesticide, which can then be moved through the air and deposited to a non-targeted site.

S AT U R D AY S U N D AY • Strong winds can lead to the pesticide drifting off site; therefore, keep the sprayer nozzle as low as possible to the ground during application to minimize drift.
Avoid application when windy.

• Spray in the afternoon as your last activity of the day 09:00 AM 1 6 ⁰ C 1 7 ⁰ C 1 5 ⁰ C 1 6 ⁰ C 1 7 ⁰ C 1 5 ⁰ C 3 The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n THE MUST DOs of Pesticides Application • Read all instructions on the label before using the pesticide • Wearing all the protective gears before mixing and applying pesticides.
Ensure that goggles are ﬁtted to prevent residue of the pesticide from getting in contact with the eyes • Mix pesticides outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.

• Clean pesticide application equipment 50 ft away from drains or waterways.

• Mix only what you need to use in the short term to avoid storing or disposing of excess pesticide.

• Be prepared for accidental pesticide spill.

Have paper towels, sawdust, garbage bags, and non-absorbent gloves on hand to contain the spill.
i v e l i hoods Clim ate R y Agricultural L c n e g r e m E M i n i stry of Agriculture F o o d a d Fisheries n e s i l i e n c e P r o j e c t i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a 4 i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n THE DON’Ts of Pesticides Application • Never spray plants that are about to flower, or fruiting or ready to harvest.
• Long pants and or overalls should fall over the boots and should NEVER be tucked into the boots • Keep Pesticides away from children and animals • Keep pesticides away from food and water • Keep pesticides away from livestock, animal feed, eggs and livestock water.

• Keep pesticides away from naked flames; e.g.

heat lamps, ﬁre or smokehouses.

Don’t eat or smoke when applying pesticides.


Do not wash pesticides clothing with bleach since this can cause a chemical reaction PESTICIDE 5 i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Use proper personal protective equipment to reduce exposure of pesticide.

Pesticide can cause irritation to skin, eyes or affect your lungs.
Why do I need to wear gloves?

Wear a pair of chemical resistant glove every time you are mixing pesticides to prevent contamination and reduce exposure to your skin.

Don’t use cotton gloves because the pesticide can seep in your skin.

The chemical resistant gloves can be easily wash and reused.

What is this mask used for?

Oh!

That a respirator that protects your lungs from pesticide dust and vapors.
It also has cartridges or canisters which you change when you begin to feel a little stuffy during usage.

You also need to wear this wide-brimmed hat to protects your neck, eyes, mouth, and face Do not use cloth or leather sweatbands because they absorb pesticides.

These goggles usually get foggy and I can’t see properly, do I still need to wear them?

Well you can use a full-face shield when mixing pesticides.
Pesticides are absorbed through the eyes and can cause eye injury so please try to use these goggles.

Do not use sprayer or mist blower that is faulty or leaking.

After pesticide application wash clothes immediately and separately from family laundry.
6 i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES FROM PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROTECTING RIVERS BY CREATING BUFFER ZONES If your farm is bordering a stream or any waterway, establish an area of vetiver or other natural vegetation (bamboo) about 20ft wide all along your land bordering the waterway.
This buffer zone will prevent pesticide drift from entering the river.

In the absence of a buffer zone, do not spray within 50ft of any river.

Use a lot of organic matter that will help to break down pesticides before seeping into the soil and groundwater.

Contour cropping will also help reduce pesticide being washed down stream impacting the natural chemistry of the river.
PROTECTING WILDLIFE BY ESTABLISHING WILDLIFE FOOD BANKS If your farm is bordering forestlands, protect our parrots, agouti and opossum by providing a wildlife food bank approximately 10ft wide along your farm boundary.

This wildlife habitat provides food and space where wildlife can roam between the forestland and the food bank.

Most importantly, this food bank habitat should not be spray regardless of infestation.

PROTECTING LIVESTOCK Livestock should never be allowed to enter an area that was sprayed.
Don’t spray within 50 ft where livestock is being grazed Before spraying herbicide, cut the grass for livestock, this will save on the amount of pesticides used and herbicide will be more effective.
7 The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES FROM PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOODS If your farm is bordering a school, health center or any public or private building, please consider the following: Try spraying after school or after working hours, Place a sign to indicate the time and day that you will be spraying and what pesticides is being applied PROTECTING BEES Bees are insects and can be killed by insecticides.
Therefore, Do not apply pesticides to plants that are about to flower, or flowering or fruiting.

Do not apply pesticides within 2 mile radius of bee hives.

If this cannot be done, spray in the late afternoon when bees are not foraging.

PESTICIDE THE THREE Cs OF SPILL MANAGEMENT CONTROL: If for some reason your liter of pesticide starts to leak, place that liter container in a larger container, such as a 5 gallon container.
CONTAIN: To prevent the pesticides from spreading make a dam using soil around the spillage.

If the spill is on a hard surface, use an old cloth, piece of sponge or throw some soil over the spill.

If the pesticide is in a powder form sprinkle a little water so it will not be blown away, then clean-up after and disposed.

CLEAN-UP: After the spill has been contained, the absorbent material and pesticide need to be properly disposed, and the area cleaned.
The important thing is not to let the spilled material get into any body of water.

Avoid using excessive amounts of water, as this may only spread the pesticide and could be harmful to the environment.
i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a 8 i v e l i hoods Clim ate R gricultural L y A c n e g r e m E M i n i s tr y of Agriculture F o o d a The Safe and Efﬁcient Use of Pesticides e s i l i e n c e P r o j e ct d Fisheries n STEPS FOR DISPOSAL OF EMPTY PESTICIDE CONTAINERS X3 1.

Do not burn, bury nor reuse empty pesticide containers.

2.

After using pesticide, drain the empty pesticide container into the spray tank 3.
Pour some water into the empty pesticide container.

4.

Cover tightly and shake forcefully for 30 seconds.

5.

Pour contents into sprayer or mist blower 6.

Repeat steps 3 to 5 two times 7.

Spray out last application 8.

Puncture empty pesticide container so it cannot be reused 9.

Place each empty pesticide container and cover in the bag provided 10.

Tie and secure bag after placing each empty pesticide container 11.
When all pesticides are ﬁnished call the telephone numbers provided on the bag to arrange for pick-up.

12.

Store bags in a safe dry place while you wait for pick up For any concerns call the telephone numbers below Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Emergency Agricultural Livelihood Climate Resilience Project • Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Telephone # 266 3779/3980/3998/3958