The transport and storage of pesticides is well regulated through legislation. These SOPs have been developed to include legislation as the minimum standard while reducing the risk of potential spills when transporting or storing pesticides.
Hazard ratingsAll pesticides are given hazard ratings are based on their LD50 for a rat, administered both orally and through the skin.
LD50 for the rat (mg/g body mass)
Oral
Liquid
Solid
Liquid
Solid
Liquid
Hazard Statement
Colour Bands
Extreme Hazardous < 5
< 20
< 10
< 40
Very Toxic
Red
Highly Hazardous 5-50
20-200
10-100
40-400
Toxic
Red
Moderately Hazardous 50-500
200-2000
100-1000
400-4000
Harmful
Yellow
Slightly Hazardous >500
>2000
>1000
>4000
Caution
Blue
Acutely Hazardous >2000
>3000
Green
As an industry, we endeavour to use only BLUE and GREEN label products. There are, however, incidences where YELLOW or RED label products are used. In the case of alpha-cypermethrin, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin, which are all YELLOW label products, certain companies have permission from FSC (a derogation) to use these products under very strict conditions. Paraquat is another exception which has either a YELLOW or RED label, depending on its formulation, where again certain companies have permission from FSC to use this under very strict conditions.
Local legislation governing spillsLocal legislation driven by international conventions, governs how storeroom and field spills are dealt with.
These local legislations include:
- Disaster Management Act (No. 57 of 2002)
- Fertiliser, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies & Stock Remedies Act (No. 36 of 1947)
- Occupational Health & Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993)
- National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998)
- NEM: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004)
- NEM: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008)
- Water Act (No. 3 of 1998)
What constitutes a disaster spill?An incident that has the ability to pollute, based on the concentration, sensitivity of the environment, and hazard value of the pollutant concerned:
- Any natural resource such as soil, water and air;
- Cannot be stopped from spreading within an hour;
- Causes death or disease;
- Damage to property and/or infrastructure;
- Causes significant disruption to the life of a community.
Submitting a spill reportSpills need to be recorded in the spill register for internal reconciling purposes, as per company protocol.
If a spill is ABOVE the ‘Disaster Spill’ threshold it also needs to be reported to the relevant Government Department, authority and/or affected people.
Depending on the nature of the spill these include:
- DEA – Department of Environmental Affairs
- DAFF – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- DOL - Department of Labour
- SAPS – South African Police Services
- Fire Department
- Relevant catchment area or municipality
- Affected people
Treatment of spillsThe following minimum equipment needs to be available to deal with spills in storage and mixing areas:A suitable container with lid such as a Wheelie-bin filled with absorbent material (this can include absorbent pillows and sausages);
- Adequate quantity of bio-remediation agent;
- Squeegee & poly fibre broom;
- Flat scoop such as a dustpan with stiff poly fibre brush;
- Heavy duty plastic bin liners;
- Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) according to the label / MSDS including chemical resistant gum boots and PVC gloves;
- Demarcation tape.
Clean-up Procedures – on solid surface:
- Contain the spill by use of covering with absorbent material (or sausages);
- Work in and gather with the squeegee;
- Scoop into bin liners with dustpan;
- Gather fine sweepings with broom and scoop into bin liner;
- Tie bin liner closed and placed in waste bin;
- Wash floor with standard detergent.
Clean-up Procedures – on solid surface:
- Use bio-remediation agent as per instructions;
- Generally this will entail spreading the agent over the spill, working it into the soil, then left to remediate naturally. Some products require the addition of water.
Disposal of spillage residue material:
- An option is to deliver the filled bin liners to a Hazardous Waste collection point if available;
- Alternatively, a bunded area on an impervious surface may be used for bioremediation. The spillage residue material is spread in the bunded area and treated with a bioremediation agent according to the product instructions;
- Once remediated, the material can be safely disposed of.
click here to download SOP Spills infographic as a .pdf
click here to download SOP Transport infographic as a .pdf
click here to download SOP Storage infographic as a .pdf
Chemical storeroom - outsideThe area around a pesticide storeroom needs to be secured against unauthorised access, including animals.
Relevant and appropriate warning notices and symbolic signs that meet the minimum requirements set out by SANS 10206-2010 Ed. 2.2 need to be present both inside and outside the storeroom. These need to be clearly visible, not subject to misinterpretation or damage. Staff must undergo training to understand the signage, which includes:
- Bunding capacity clearly displayed: this should be 100% percent of the volume of pesticide stored.
- Storage of pesticide warning and a warning that unauthorised entry is prohibited. These must be letters 75mm tall in red writing on white background, in both English and one local indigenous language.
- PPE requirements – as per SANS 1186-1: Goggles, face shield, gloves, mask, apron and steel toe-capped boots.
Chemical storeroom - insideRelevant and appropriate warning notices and symbolic signs that meet the minimum requirements set out by SANS 10206-2010 Ed. 2.2 need to be present both inside and outside the storeroom. These need to be clearly visible, not subject to misinterpretation or damage. Staff must undergo training to understand the signage, which includes:
- Pest Control Operator (PCO), certificate displayed.
- Directions to first aid, eye-wash station, fire-extinguisher and emergency shower.
Only store products that are in good condition. Keep these in their original packaging.
The storeroom needs to be kept neat and tidy at all times.
Racks, shelves and pallets must be impervious and chemically resistant.
Regions within the storeroom where pesticides are to be stored need to be clearly defined areas, labelled accordingly using the product’s name. This will ensure there is NO mixing of products, especially those that are not compatible.
Larger containers should be ground level, with only light/small containers placed on higher shelves.
Dry chemicals, powder and granulars need to be placed above liquids.
An eye washing station, first aid kit, should be readily available. An emergency shower may be deemed necessary, if the risk is identified.
A valid copy of the contractor’s pest control operators license must be displayed.
Spare PPE supplies, in accordance to label recommendations, must be available.
A spill kit, including the minimum following requirements, should be readily available:
- Broom
- Shovel
- Labelled, heavy duty refuse bag
- Absorbent material