Chapter 21. Agricultural Chemicals

I. Pesticides.

A. Only Kansas certified pesticide applicators may apply or supervise the application of pesticides at Kansas State University facilities or property.

B. Do not consume food or beverages in pesticide work areas. Do not drink or fill drinking containers from water hoses used to fill pesticide sprayers. Do not consume anything touched by pesticide spray.

C. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling or applying pesticides.

D. Do not smoke or chew tobacco in pesticide work areas.

E. Never clean out a hose or nozzle by blowing through them by mouth.

F. Wear proper personal protective equipment when applying pesticides, i.e., long sleeve shirt and heavy trousers or coveralls, rubber apron, nitrile gloves, non-vented goggles, hard hat, and respirator. Water repellent clothing, such as rubber coveralls and jacket, is the best protection. Use of disposable coveralls such as a Tyvek suit prevents accidental poisoning of family members by bringing home contaminated clothing.

G. Read and understand the label and the material safety data sheet before working with a pesticide.

1. Follow all mixing directions as given on the pesticide label.

2. Do not mix more than is needed.

3. Rinse empty containers three times; use the rinsate in the application of the pesticide.

4. After applying pesticides, wash the sprayer as directed and apply the rinsate to the edges of the field or save rinsate for future applications.

5. Use pesticides from their original containers, if not, be sure containers are properly labeled.

6. Keep the sprayer properly calibrated.

H. Keep spray drift to a minimum.

1. Do not operate the sprayer in winds over 3-1/2 mph.

2. Operate the sprayer at pressures as low as possible. Operate field sprayers below 50 psi.

I. Post a conspicuous warning sign at each side of a field that has been recently sprayed.

J. Clean up spills promptly and dispose of properly (see Hazardous Waste Disposal).

K. Storage.

1. Store in a separate building, located on high ground with good drainage. The floor should be solid surrounded by a 3-inch berm.

2. Keep the building locked securely.

3. Signs should be posted on the doors to warn of the hazard, i.e., "PESTICIDE STORAGE - POISON - NO SMOKING."

4. Store by type, i.e., carbamate, organophosphate, chlorinated herbicide, etc., and hazard class, i.e., flammable, flammable solid, poison, etc.

5. Keep closed tightly in their original container. If stored in a container other than the original, be sure the pesticide is properly labeled.

6. Do not store with food, feed, or seed.

7. Keep on pallets or on shelves. Do not store directly on the floor.

8. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for storage.

9. Heat the storeroom in the winter.

10. Do not purchase or order more than is necessary for the season. Do not store unnecessary materials.

11. Allow for adequate air purging or air exchange prior to entering the building.

II. Fertilizers.

A. Anhydrous Ammonia.

1. Wear proper personal protective equipment when transferring anhydrous ammonia, i.e., rubber gloves, rubber apron, rubber boots, tight fitting unvented goggles, a face shield, and a nonabsorbent hard hat.

2. If anhydrous ammonia is spilled on clothing, remove the clothes and wash the skin thoroughly.

3. Keep an emergency eye wash handy to flush eyes. In case of eye injury, flush with water for at least 15 minutes.

4. No smoking, welding, or cutting around anhydrous ammonia. Keep fire and other ignition sources away. Even though anhydrous ammonia is nonflammable, in high concentrations it can ignite.

5. Use equipment designed for use with anhydrous ammonia. Do not use copper or brass fittings or other parts.

6. Keep equipment in proper maintenance. Check all joints, valves, fittings and hoses prior to using the equipment.

7. Close hand wheel valves by hand, do not over tighten.

8. Do not exceed 25 mph when transporting anhydrous ammonia on public roads.

9. Anhydrous ammonia tanks should be light colored. Keep in the shade as much as possible.

B. Dry chemical fertilizers.

1. Wear proper personal protective equipment when working with dry chemical fertilizers, i.e., long sleeved shirt buttoned at the collar, heavy trousers, cotton or leather gloves, and a head covering such as a hat or cap. Goggles and dust respirator should be worn when filling hoppers.

2. Wash thoroughly after handling dry chemical fertilizers.

III. Flammables and combustibles.

A. A combustible liquid is one having a flash point at or above 100 F, and a flammable liquid as one with a flash point below 100 F. Hence, flammable liquids ignite more readily than combustible ones.

1. Examples of flammables are gasoline, acetone, and lacquer thinner; examples of combustibles are kerosene and fuel oil.

2. Common flammable and combustible liquids are coal tars, crude oils, alcohol, and numerous hydrocarbons and their byproducts. As solvents, they are found in paints, cleaning solutions, varnishes, inks, and insecticides.

B. The flash point of a flammable or combustible liquid is the lowest temperature at which it gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air and produce a flame when a source of ignition is present. The ominous characteristic of a flammable liquid is its ability to vaporize and form flammable mixtures when exposed to air. The areas in which this vapor air mixture hovers or spreads can burst into an inferno, with or without a spark. The mixture can ignite from its own heat source.

C. Flammable and combustible liquids present a considerable hazard and are commonly used at several locations within the KSU system. It is recommended that someone in each department be assigned responsibility for ensuring proper safety measures are maintained for storage and use of such materials.

D. Prudent operating principles. Comprehensive guidelines that cover all operating situations are not possible because of the diversity of applications that exist. However, the following general rules should be followed:

1. Adequate precautions must be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors from such sources as open flames, lightening, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, frictional heat, static, electrical and mechanical sparks, spontaneous ignition, including heat producing chemical reactions, and radiant heat.

2. Supplies of flammable and combustible liquids must be stored in approved, fire-resistant safety containers equipped with self closing lids.

3. All flammable liquids must be kept in closed containers when not in use.

4. All storage areas must be posted as "NO SMOKING" areas.

5. Connections on all drums and piped systems of flammable and combustible liquids must be vapor and liquid tight.

6. All spills of flammable and combustible liquids must be cleaned up promptly. Cleanup personnel must use appropriate personal protective equipment. If a major spill occurs, remove all ignition sources and ventilate the area. These liquids must never be allowed to enter a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of explosion.

7. When flammable liquids are transferred from one container to another (e.g., from a bulk container to a portable container), the containers must be effectively bonded and grounded. This practice prevents electrical discharge (i.e., sparks) from the accumulation of static charge because of the transfer process.

8. Combustible waste material, such as oily shop rags and paint rags, must be stored in covered metal containers and be disposed of daily.

E. Storage considerations.

1. Factors having the greatest bearing on storage requirements include quantities of various liquids involved and the interpretation of the area where they are kept.

2. When the only operation involved is the storage of flammables in containers or tanks that are closed and remain closed, the area is considered a warehouse.

3. When the procedure involved is mixing, transferring, or other exposure of liquid to vaporization, the area is considered a storage area, and standards vary according to the area (OSHA Instruction STD 15.7, October, 1978). General requirements are partially described below.

4. Inside storage areas.

a. Each inside storage area must be prominently posted as a "NO SMOKING" area. Openings to other rooms or buildings must be provided with approved self closing fire doors.

b. General exhaust ventilation (either gravity or mechanical) which provides for a complete change of air within a room at least six times each hour is required.

c. All lights, electrical equipment, and wiring must be of the type approved for hazardous locations.

d. A fire extinguisher must be available (12B minimum) within 10 feet of the door.

5. Outside storage areas.

a. If flammable and combustible liquids are stored outside, the storage area must be graded to divert spills away from buildings. The storage area must be posted as a "NO SMOKING" area, and must be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material.

b. There must be a fire extinguisher available at the storage area.

c. Other requirements for above and underground storage tanks are described in Section VI Chapter 6.

6. Storage cabinets.

a. When small amounts of flammable liquids need to be stored in occupied areas such as laboratories, storage cabinets should be used.

b. Storage cabinets must be distinctly labeled "FLAMMABLE KEEP FIRE AWAY."

c. Metal cabinets must be constructed of at least no. 18 gauge sheet iron, double walled with a 1 1/2inch air space and tight joints. Doors must have three point locks and the sill must be at least two inches above the bottom of the cabinet.

d. Wooden cabinets must be constructed of at least one inch plywood. All joints must be abetted and fastened two directionally with flathead screws.

F. Specialized applications. Some departments may have special circumstances pertaining to flammables and combustibles that are not described by this handbook. Examples include LPG storage areas and spray paint rooms. Information for such special applications should be sought from the KSU Department of Public Safety.

IV. Disposal of chemical waste.

A. Chemicals must be handled correctly when they are to be discarded. Current Federal and State laws regulate the disposal of certain chemicals as hazardous waste. Kansas State University is regulated as a generator of hazardous waste and must comply with the laws governed by KDHE and the EPA. Chemicals may not be haphazardly discarded down the sink drain, poured onto the ground, or discharged to the atmosphere.

B. These guidelines will enable the user to directly process and discard most materials appropriately. A pick up service is provided by the Department of Public Safety for materials that require special handling. For additional information or help in disposing of chemicals call the Department of Public Safety.

C. The person responsible for the generation of the waste or the person in charge of the materials should handle the chemical waste. The ultimate responsibility lies with the Department Safety Coordinator.

D. Use and recycle materials in their intended fashion to limit disposal problems. Do not dispose of chemicals unnecessarily. Unwanted chemicals can often be recycled and used by another individual.

E. Each laboratory should be equipped with a fume hood and the means to carry out simple neutralization reactions. Many chemicals may be processed in the laboratory and discarded by evaporation, into the sink drain, or a trash dumpster.

F. Empty containers should be rinsed three times and then properly discarded to a trash dumpster. Deface the label on empty containers so there is no question about hazards. Such empty containers are not normally considered hazardous.

G. Hazardous material pick up. In preparation for hazardous material pick up, complete the following:

1. Label all containers describing the material contained.

2. Date all containers.

3. Tops, caps, or lids are required on all containers.

4. Noncompatible materials shall be kept separated (see Appendix A).

5. Box groups of containers so that they can be carried easily by hand.

6. Label the box "PUBLIC SAFETY WASTE".

7. Give information to the pick up personnel as necessary. Special handling should be described when necessary, e.g. for refrigerated materials, reactive or volatile materials, highly toxic materials, etc. Identify bottles with caps that are left ajar.

8. Identify all chemicals going for disposal. Unknowns require testing for class of hazard and are expensive to dispose. Costs may have to be paid by the originating department.

9. Request hazardous waste pick up from the Department of Public Safety. Provide a description of the material to be handled and the specific location of the material. Provide the name of someone who can verify that the correct materials are to be picked up. Most hazardous materials will be picked up within three work days of the request.

H. Off-campus facilities should contact the Department of Public Safety for transport assistance.

I. For specific disposal procedures see the Laboratory Safety Manual.

J. Biological materials may require specific procedures not described in these guidelines. Contact the Department of Public Safety for further information concerning biologicals and carcinogens.