There are five basic steps to follow for the proper handling of a pesticide spill. Good judgement and common sense must be used in determining which steps are taken first. The technician must assess the situation and determine what hazard poses the greatest threat. The technician should rectify the most serious situation immediately.

The five basic steps in spill control are as follows :

1. Shut down of Equipment and Operations - The technician should stop what he is doing and turn off any equipment he/she is operating. If the spilled pesticide is flammable, all sources of ignition (i.e. pilot lines, gasoline engines, etc.) should be shut off to prevent fire or explosion. If the equipment involved does not belong to your company, the owner and/or operator of the equipment may be enlisted to help shut off the equipment.

2. Containing and Controlling the Spill - Attempts should be made to stop further leakage from the pesticide container or tank. Next, the applicator should contain the size of the present spill to prevent it from spreading to adjacent areas, especially storm drains, wells, water systems and waterways. Pesticide spills should never be hosed down with water - this will only spread the contamination. Technicians should use the materials in their spill control kits to contain the spill by encircling the area with spill control pillows, a dike of sand, absorbent materials, sand snakes, or as a last resort soil or rags.

3. Provide First Aid Assistance to Affected Individuals - There may be an occasion when the public is exposed to pesticides due to a chemical spill. Follow the pesticide label in providing first aid assistance. The local poison control center can be contacted for additional information. See the attached list for the local poison control phone number. Medical assistance should be sought when needed. Facts concerning the toxicity of the material and the extent to which the individual has been exposed will aid in determining the threat to health.

The health needs of a technician must be addressed as well. First aid should be administered when necessary and the proper protective clothing should be worn by company personnel when working around the pesticide spill.

People present at the scene of the accident should be advised to stay clear of the pesticide spill. Roping off the area and posting warning signs is one method of notifying bystanders of the hazards associated with the spill. In a structure where only a few individuals are present, verbal communications with the occupants is probably the best method of notification. In either case, it is important to protect the public from possible pesticide exposure.

4. Notification of the Owner/Operator or Manager - The technician or another individual present at the scene of the spill should notify the Owner/Operator or Manager. The caller should be prepared to supply the following information : (1)Location of incident. (2) The name of the material involved and the approximate quantity of the material spilled. (3) Whether there is any contamination involving people or any injuries. (4) Whether there is a fire. (5) Whether there is a threat of contaminating water or water supplies.

If the spill warrants notification of any regulatory agencies, the Owner/Operator or Manager will do the reporting. It is also the responsibility of the office to send the required support personnel to the scene of the accident.

Owner/Operators, Manager - Phone Numbers : _________________________________________

Technicians should never discuss the facts surrounding the incident with the media representatives. Discussion with regulatory officials must be limited to the procedures followed by the technician in containing and controlling the spill and identifying the contents of the spill. Requests for any additional information must be handled by a member of management.

5. Clean-UP and Decontamination - The manufacturer should be consulted for clean-up and decontamination procedures of pesticide spills. The office will make the necessary contacts.
Chemtrec (1-800-424-9300) can also be consulted for information. Chemtrec provides information on clean-up of large chemical spills due to transportation accidents or warehouse fires.

All absorbent use for liquid spill clean-up must be collected and placed in a leak-proof container. Plastic bags have been included in the spill control kit for this purpose. The container should then be properly labeled and returned to the office for disposal or recycling. Soil or other materials used for diking spills must also be collected and placed in heavy duty plastic bags and drums. Again, containers must be marked and returned to the office for disposal.

Once the bulk of the chemical spill has been removed, the surfaces affected by the spill must be decontaminated per the manufacturers directions. Decontamination procedures may vary depending on the type of surface involved. If an affected material or surface cannot be decontaminated adequately, it must be collected and disposed in a sealed, leak-proof drum. All drums must be labeled and disposed of in a hazardous waste disposal facility.

Poison Control Centers
Phone Number : ___________________________________

Chemtrec
Phone Number : ___________________________________

State Police
Phone Number : ___________________________________

Hazardous Materials Management Response Team
Phone Number : ___________________________________