EA for Integrated Treatment of Exotic Invasive Plants on the Tonto National Forest 1

Appendix E: Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan

NOTE: The person responsible for project planning should insure that all of the “***” have been 

replaced with adequate and appropriate information relating to the project being implemented. 

Field personnel transporting or working with pesticides should familiarize themselves with this 

plan, as well as with the labels and MSDSs of all pesticides to be used in a project. A copy of this 

plan is to be carried to the field by all crews working with pesticides; a copy is also to be kept in 

an easily accessible location near the telephone at the district dispatch or reception desk.

Emergency procedures to follow when a pesticide spill occurs at the work site:

1. Provide for Care of Injured or Contaminated Personnel

Immediately determine if any personnel are injured or contaminated. Each situation may differ, 

but the major and immediate effort should be to assist injured personnel and minimize further 

contamination. Accordingly, the following must be accomplished as rapidly as possible.

A. If a fumigant or dangerous vapor is involved, put on the appropriate respirator or 

breathing device. REMEMBER, this is an emergency procedure, and not intended for 

prolonged exposure. Since many pesticides can produce toxic fumes or vapors, always 

ventilate enclosed areas to prevent build-up of toxic fumes.

B. Remove injured or contaminated personnel from the spill site to a safe area.

C. If eyes are contaminated with a pesticide, give first priority to washing them out, using 

portable eyewash bottles, or if these are unavailable, any clean water. Remove 

contaminated clothing from affected individuals, and wash pesticides off skin with 

detergent and clean water. If any pesticides have been ingested, see Material Safety Data 

Sheet for specific first aid measures.

D. Immediately seek medical assistance for injured and contaminated personnel. Do not 

leave contaminated individuals alone unless essential to secure aid. If necessary, direct a 

third person to stay with the injured until a physician takes charge and has been advised 

of the actual or possible pesticide exposure.

E. Watch for the following symptoms of pesticide poisoning: Eye irritation, skin irritation, 

gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, slurred 

speech, muscle twitching or convulsions, or difficulty in breathing.

2. Spill Identification

Determine product name(s) for the chemical(s) spilled and check the label and Material Safety 

Data Sheet for immediate hazards. Shut off ignition sources and stop any smoking in case 

chemicals may be flammable. Isolate contaminated area and keep unnecessary people away.

3. Notify (Field personnel contact dispatcher/receptionist for aid)

District Pesticide Specialist: [***name]

 Office - [***phone no.]

 Home - [***phone no.]

District Safety Officer: [***name]

 Office - [***phone no.]

 Home - [***phone no.]
Appendix E: Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan

2 EA for Integrated Treatment of Exotic Invasive Plants on the Tonto National Forest

Give the following information: ***Chemical name, ***location of spill, ***road name, and 

***estimated size of spill in gallons.

The District Pesticide Specialist will notify other key personnel and agencies as required (see 

attached notification list).

4. Contain Spill

Spilled pesticides must be contained as much as possible on the site where the spill has occurred. 

Keep spilled pesticides from entering streams, storm drains, wells, ditches, or water systems by 

following these procedures:

A. Wear appropriate protective clothing. At a minimum, this will include suitable clothing 

for pesticide application, plus rubber or nitrile gloves and safety glasses or goggles. In 

addition, use coveralls or a rain suit, rubber boots or overshoes, or a respirator if extra 

protection is needed.

B. Prevent further leakage from containers by repositioning them so that the damaged part 

of the container is above the level of the contents, or by applying rags, tape, or other 

materials at hand to temporarily seal the leak.

C. Separate leaking containers from undamaged containers.

D. Rope or flag off the area and post warning signs to keep unprotected personnel from 

entering.

E. Confine the spill to prevent it from spreading. Encircle the spill area with a dike of sand 

or other absorbent material; rags or similar material may be used if necessary. If spilled 

material may flow toward sensitive areas, divert it by ditching.

F. If the spill involves a small watercourse, dam it up to confine the spill if possible. If 

available, activated charcoal may be used to filter contaminated water. For larger 

waterways, a log boom or baled straw may be used to contain the spill. Dam or divert the 

flow of clean water around the spill if possible. Some pesticides (such as Glyphosate) 

may be inactivated by muddying the water.

G. If the pesticide spilled is a liquid, cover it with absorbent material (kitty litter is ideal). If 

the spilled pesticide is in a dry formulation, cover it with a secured plastic tarpaulin to 

prevent it from becoming wet or being blown away. (NOTE: Unless this material can be 

reused in accordance with the pesticide label, it must be disposed of as a toxic waste.)

H. DO NOT flush the spill into a ditch, sewer, drain, or off a road, since this will further 

spread the chemical necessitating a larger cleanup effort.

Vehicle spill kits contain necessary items for containing small spills (see attached list for 

items needed in vehicle spill kit). Large spills may require the use of a dozer and/or 

additional items from the storage facility spill kit, located at [***insert location].
Appendix E. Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan

EA for Integrated Treatment of Exotic Invasive Plants on the Tonto National Forest 3

5. Clean-up

Spill containment is the objective of this emergency spill plan. Clean-up and disposal procedures 

are covered in FSH 2109.14, Chapter 33, Project Safety Plan; in the 1993 Emergency Response 

Guidebook ("Orange Book"), and in the Material Safety Data Sheets for each pesticide.

6. Documentation

Document spill type, action taken, and any needed follow-up or assistance necessary in a letter to 

the Forest Supervisor, with cc to Regional Pesticide Specialist.

Summary of Clean-up Steps

Dry Spills

a. Immediately cover powders or dusts with plastic or a tarpaulin to prevent the pesticide 

from becoming airborne. A fine mist of water may also be used to dampen the dust and 

reduce spreading. CAUTION: Too much water may dissolve the pesticide and move it 

into the soil.

b. Sweep the material together, rolling the tarp back slowly as you do.

c. Shovel the material into plastic bags or drums.

d. Seal the bags and label them, identifying the pesticide and other contents.

e. Store the containers of material in the pesticide storage building until the contents can be 

evaluated for disposal or re-use in a manner consistent with labeling.

Liquid Spills

Pump or bail as much of the spilled liquid as possible into containers, then:

a. Use absorbent material, such as commercially bagged clay, kitty litter, or sawdust to soak 

up the spill. Use only enough material to absorb the spill. Begin spreading the absorbent 

material around the edge of the spill, and work toward the center.

b. Shovel the absorbent material and pesticide, along with any contaminated soil, into leakproof containers.

c. Label all containers.

d. Store the containers in the pesticide storage building until the contents can be evaluated 

for disposal or re-use in a manner consistent with labeling.
Appendix E: Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan

4 EA for Integrated Treatment of Exotic Invasive Plants on the Tonto National Forest

Notification List of Key Personnel and Agencies

1. District Pesticide Specialist - [***name]

Home [***phone no.]

Office [***phone no.]

2. District Safety Officer - [***name]

Home [***phone no.]

Office [***phone no.]

3. [***Name and phone number of local medical facility to be used in event of an 

emergency]

4. [***Name and phone number of local fire department(s)]

5. [***Names and phone numbers of county law enforcement agencies]

6. Forest Pesticide Specialist – [Patti Fenner]

 Home [602-482-0083]

 Cell [602-432-4944]

 Office [602-225-5386]

(Notify if spill is larger than 5 gallons)

7. State office of emergency services - [***name]

Home [***phone no.]

Office [***phone no.]

(Notify only if assistance is necessary or if required by state law)

8. USFS HazMat Coordinator – [Anne Fischer]

[phone no.]

[e-mail]

9. Pesticide manufacturers

[List emergency numbers of the manufacturers of pesticides used on the district. These 

may be found on the pesticide labels and MSDSs.]

10. CHEMTREC - EPA number for technical assistance - 1-800-424-9300

(NOTE: Chemicals which we normally use are generally not on EPA's hazardous list; 

you may not be required to contact them. Double check the MSDS for requirements.)

11. EPA National Emergency Response Center - 1-800-424-9346

(Notify only if spilled chemical is on CERCLA Consolidated Chemical List)

12. Pesticide Safety Team of the National Agricultural Chemicals Association (for 

technical assistance) - 1-513-961-4300

13. Local sources of emergency equipment and supplies 

[***Names and phone numbers of local contractors for heavy equipment, clean-up 

supplies such as baled hay, etc.]
Appendix E. Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan

EA for Integrated Treatment of Exotic Invasive Plants on the Tonto National Forest 5

Recommended Pesticide Spill Kit Contents

Storage Facility Kit

4 pairs nitrile gloves

2 pairs unvented goggles

2 respirators and cartridges (chemical resistant)

2 pairs rubber or neoprene boots or overshoes

2 pairs of coveralls or rain suits

1 roll of flagging or engineers' tape

1 dust pan

1 shop brush

1 dozen polyethylene bags with ties

1 gallon liquid detergent

1 polyethylene or plastic tarp

100 feet of rope

10 blank labels

1 ABC-type fire extinguisher

80 lbs. absorbent material

3 gallons household bleach

1 square-point "D" handled shovel

1 55 gallon open-head drum, or 50 gallon plastic trash 

can with lid

1 18-inch push broom with synthetic fibers

1 bung and 1 bung wrench for 2.5 inch and 0.75 inch 

bungs

1 drum spigot

30 ft. of 0.5 inch polyethylene tubing or 150 feet of 

garden hose

Vehicle Kit

2 pairs nitrile gloves

1 pair unvented goggles

1 respirator and cartridges

1 pair of rubber or neoprene boots

1 dust pan

1 shop brush

6 polyethylene bags with ties

1 pint liquid detergent

1 polyethylene or plastic tarp

10 blank labels

1 ABC-type fire extinguisher

10 to 30 lbs. absorbent material

2 eyewash bottles

1 round-point shovel

1 portable weatherproof container for 

storage and transport (may also be used for 

cleanup)