safe work procedure template · web view2021. 6. 11. · chemical fertilizers refer to...

Title: Safe Work Practices & ProcedureHazardous Substances/Chemicals in/on Machinery

No.

Issue Date: Risk Level: MED Page Number: 1 of 19

DO NOT use this machine/equipment unless you have been trained in its safe use and are deemed a competent operator!

Description of Work: Common agricultural chemicals (agrichemicals) include fuels, solvents, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers and veterinary chemicals.

*This information does not take precedence over Saskatchewan Employment Act and the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations.

Potential Hazards: Chemical burns

Internal damage

Chemical illnesses

Death

Property damage

Environmental damage

Note: Common signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) can include pain, burning, swelling, stiffness, numbness/tingling, and/or loss of movement or strength in a body part. Report these to your supervisor.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required (Check the box for required PPE):

Gloves Face Masks Eye Protection

Welding Mask

Appropriate Footwear

Hearing Protection

Protective Clothing

Other PPE: Wear all recommended PPE from the manufacturer or that appears on the MSDS/SDS.

Safe Work Procedure Checklist:

1. PRE-Operation:

▪ Before any type of machinery is worked on the client must be asked if there are any harmful substances or chemicals (full or residue) within the machine and the name and manufacturer’s name. If possible ask for a copy of the label and MSDS/SDS.

▪ After the chemical or substance has been properly identified the WHMIS MSDS/SDS must be consulted for proper handling, storage and disposal. If no MSDS/SDS exists then the supplier must be notified.

▪ If large quantities are present the owner must remove the chemical or substance prior to repair work to begin.

▪ Refer to Safe Work Procedure – Working on Heavy Machinery for details on decontamination of machinery.

▪ Have the client fill out a Mandatory Sprayer Safety Form every time a sprayer is being worked on.

▪ Wear all described PPE on the MSDS/SDS. For further information on PPE see Safe Work Procedure – Personal Protective Equipment.

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2. Air Cart/Seeder:

Fertilizer:

o Proper nutrition is essential for satisfactory crop growth and production. The use of soil tests can help determine the status of plant available nutrients to develop fertilizer recommendations to achieve optimum crop production.

o There are at least 16 elements known to be essential for plant growth. Macronutrients refer to those elements that are used in relatively large amounts, whereas micronutrients refer to those elements that are required in relatively small amounts.

Supplied from air and water Supplied from Soil and Fertilizer Sources

Macronutrients Micronutrients

Carbon (C) Nitrogen (N) Zinc (Z)

Hydrogen (H) Phosphorous (P) Copper (Cu)

Oxygen (O) Potassium (K) Iron (Fe)

Sulphur (S) Manganese (M)

Calcium (Ca) Boron (B)

Magnesium (Mg) Chlorine (Cl)

Molybdenum (Mo)

Cobalt (Co)

o Fertilizer refers to any compound that contains one or more chemical elements, organic, or inorganic, natural or synthetic, that is placed on or incorporated into the soil or applied to directly only plants to achieve normal growth. The main supply sources of plant nutrients include organic manures, plant residues, biological nitrogen fixation and commercial inorganic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers refer to commercially manufactured products containing a substantial amount of one or more plant nutrients.

o The chemical fertilizers can be broadly classified into: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizers. A straight fertilizer contains only one of the nutrients. A compound fertilizer contains two or more nutrients. A complex fertilizer that is formed by mixing ingredients that react chemically, as opposed to a mechanical mixture of two or more fertilizers. A low analysis fertilizer product contains a low percentage of nutrients, usually 30% or less and a high analysis fertilizer contains more than 30%.

o Types of popular chemical fertilizers products used in Western Canada and average nutrient contain are indicated in the below table.


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Analysis Nitrogen (N) Phosphate (P2O5)

Potash

Sulphur (S)

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Urea 46-0-0 46 0 0 0

Ammonium Nitrate (Granular) 34-0-0 34 0 0 0

Ammonium Sulphate – Urea 34-0-0 34 0 0 11

Ammonium Sulphate 21-0-0 21 0 0 24

Anhydrous Ammonia (gas) 82-0-0 82 0 0 0

Urea-Ammonium Nitrate Solution

28-0-0 28 0 0 0

Phosphate Fertilizers

Mono-Ammoni8um Phosphate 12-51-0 12 51 0 1.5

Mono-Ammonium Phosphate 11-55-0 11 55 0 0

Ammonium Polyphosphate Solution

10-34-0 10 34 0 0

Nitrogen Phosphates Fertilizers

Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate

16-20-0 16 20 0 14

Ammonium Nitrate Phosphate 23-23-0 23 23 0 0

Ammonium Nitrate Phosphate 27-14-0 27 14 0 0

Urea Ammonium Phosphate 27-27-0 27 27 0 0

Urea Ammonium Phosphate 34-17-0 34 17 0 0

Potash Fertilizers

Potash Chloride 0-0-60 0 0 60 0

Potassium Sulphate 0-0-52-12 0 0 52 12

Sulphur Fertilizers

Ammonium Sulphate 20-0-0-(24) 20 0 0 24

Gypsum (agriculture) 0-0-0 0 0 0 17

Elemental Sulphur* 0-0-0 0 0 0 90-99

Ammonium Thiosulphate Solution

12-0-0-(26) 12 0 0 26

*Elemental sulphur is suitable for application on perennial forage but is less suitable for annual crops because of slow-release characteristics

o All fertilizers must show the guaranteed nutrient analysis on the label. This states the content of three main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphate (P2O5) (a form of phosphorous) and potash (k2O) (a form of potassium). It is shown by a series of three numbers. For example, if the numbers 10-10-10 appear on a 30 kg bag of fertilizer it means that the bag contains 10% of each raw material (3kg of nitrogen, 3 kg of phosphate and 3 kg of potash). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada inspectors make regular checks of fertilizer facilities to ensure that all requirements are met.

o As different kinds of fertilizer have different hazards, consult the MSDS/SDS for full details.


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Treated Grain:

o In agriculture and horticulture, seed treatment or seed dressing is a chemical, typically antimicrobial or fungicidal, with which seeds are treated (or "dressed") prior to planting. Less frequently, insecticides are added.

o See Safe Work Procedure – Treated Seed/Grain for more details.

Anhydrous Ammonia:

o Many farmers are interested in adding an anhydrous ammonia application system to their one-pass direct seeding planter systems. This is a practical option if a suitable ground opener can be found that ensures separation of the anhydrous ammonia (NH3) from the seed row and also seals the soil surface to prevent escape of NH3. However, NH3 requires careful handling to ensure personal safety.

o How it Works:

▪ At normal temperatures and pressures, NH3 is a gas. For agricultural use, NH3 is stored in its liquid form in a pressure tank at about 100 pounds per square inch gage pressure (psig) at 20°C. As the temperature rises, the pressure needed to keep it liquid also rises. When it is not under pressure, the boiling point of NH3 is - 34°C, very similar to that of propane. At or below -34°C, NH3 is a liquid even without pressure.

▪ The pressure in the tank causes the liquid NH3 to flow through the open valve to the metering system. It goes through the meter and distribution system to the outlet in the ground opener and into the soil.

▪ As the NH3 is released from the tank into the distribution system, the sudden drop in pressure from about 100psig to about 0psig causes rapid boiling of the NH3 (that is, changing from a liquid to a vapour) because of its temperature is much higher than - 34°C. The rapid boiling converts the NH3 into a mixture of gas bubbles and liquid drops flowing rapidly through the system.

▪ Vaporization of NH3 requires energy. Therefore, vaporizing NH3 takes heat from the surrounding air, the equipment handling the liquid or the liquid NH3 itself. The cold lines and valves become covered with frost form water vapour in the air. The rapid absorption of heat can be a safety problem

▪ MH3 vapour is lighter than air so it rises. The vapour is colourless. The white “puffing” which results when NH3 escapes is water vapour condensed form the air by the cooling effect of the liquid NH3 as it boils.

▪ In some systems, NH3 goes through a cold flow converter between the meter and the distribution system. In the cold flow converter, there is a swirling mass of vaporizing NH3. By the time about 15% of the NH3 vaporizes, the rest of the NH3 is cooled to its liquid temperature (-34°C) at 0psig. After the liquid NH3 has been injected into the soil, it gradually vaporizes.

▪ Once in the soil, the NH3 finds another hydrogen iron (H+) on a water molecule or in the soil organic matter and becomes NH4 (ammonium). The crop can take up to NH4 directly through its roots. Some NH4 is consumed by micro-organisms and released as NO3 (nitrate), which is also used directly by the crop.


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o NH3 System and Planter Combination:

▪ A direct seeder with NH3 is simply a combination of two machines on one chassis. An air seeder handles the seed and certain fertilizers types, and the added NH3 system. However, some extra parts or features should be added or considered when an NH3 System is added to a planter. Those can include:

Safety Couplers

o If the NH3 tank is pulled behind the air tank of an air seeder, the main delivery hose must have safety break-away couplers at both the rear of the air tank and the rear of the seed drill. Safety chains must also be in place to prevent the loss of the control in the event of the hitch pin loss.

NH3 Application Rate Controllers

Additional hardware (fittings, hoses, manifolds, etc.)

o NH3 Safety Issues:

▪ NH3 is a hazardous substance

▪ Personal contact with NH3 is dangerous at any concentration

▪ Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death

▪ ALWAYS wear safety PPE including eye protection when working on or around NH3 equipment. The eyes are the part of the body most sensitive to NH3 damage. Eyes have few blood vessels for cooling and very little water, and they do not grow new tissue readily.

▪ You can smell NH3 at a concentration of 50 parts per million (PPM). It has sharp, pungent odour. It is safe up to 100PPM for several hours. At 400PPM, the eyes are irritated and exposure should be avoided.

▪ Contact with liquid NH3 is the most common accident. The liquid causes a caustic burn from its chemical makeup and a freeze burn as it absorbs water from the skin (the word “anhydrous” means it seeks water.

▪ Flooding the exposed parts with water is the most immediate need and, in fact, the only first aid needed until full medical attention is received

▪ If liquid is spiled, do not remove clothing until flooded with water. The frozen cloth may tear away flesh.


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▪ Remember that NH3 vapour is combustible if it is 16 to 25% by volume in air and has an ignition source.

▪ Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death.

o Safety Precautions:

▪ Ensure the NH3 system is correctly designed, assembled and regularly maintained.

▪ Always use a pressure tank tested to 250 psig to hold NH3, not an LPG tank!

▪ Turn the equipment and stay upwind if a leak occurs.

▪ Any coupling between air drills, air tanks and the nurse tank needs to be protected by safety break-away fittings.

▪ Do not bend hoses, tighten fittings or separate connectors when under pressure.

▪ Drain all hoses and lines, including the line at the ground opener, before working on any part of the NH3 system. Make sure they are EMPTY. If a plugged NH3 line is removed from the opener, it can spit out liquid NH3.

▪ Know the correct sequence to open and close valves to purge the system of NH3. Rate controllers have special purge controls.

Cleaning Procedures:

o Empty drill/planter boxes and remove any caked on deposits

o Blow out and dash out trapped grain from

boxes o Open feed cup gates to drain any trapped

grain o Vacuum any trapped gain from the drill

box

o Use compressed air to blow out seed tube and seed boots.


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o Tanks:

▪ Wash out tanks with soap and water. Double rinse with water.

▪ Inspect and clean the tank pressure hoses.

o Meter Box and Drive:

▪ Remove and disassemble Meter Box. Clean all segments with soap and water and rinse. Carefully dry with compressed air. Inspect for any damage from the season. Re-Assemble with generous spray fluid film on and between all components.

▪ Inspect the meter drive end housing. Clean with soap and water, rinse and dry with compressed air. Coat with fluid film.

3. Sprayers:

Pesticides:

o The word “pesticide” is a general term used to describe a substance (or mixture) that kills a pest, or it prevents or reduces the damage a pest may cause. Pests can be insects, mice or other animals, unwanted plants (weeds), fungi, bacteria or viruses.

o Pesticides can also include any substance that is used to modify a plant’s growth (regulator), drop a plant’s leaves prematurely (defoliant), or act as a drying agent (desiccant). Pesticides are usually chemicals, but they can also be made from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, etc.

o NOTE: the term “pesticide” describes a very large and diverse group of chemicals or products. It is very important to always get specific information about the exact product that was used in the unit.


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Category Purpose Examples

Insecticides Kills or repel insects, tick and mites

Bug sprays

Insect repellents

Ant & Roach baits

Garden dusts or sprays

Commercial farm/orchid sprays

Flea shampoos, flea and tick collars

Moth balls

Herbicides Kills weeds or unwanted plants Weed killers

Weed and feed lawn care products

Tree cut/stump treatments

Fungicides Kills mould, mildew and other fungi

Rose and flower sprays

Commercial farm/orchard sprays

Treated seeds

Paint additives

Rodenticides Kills rodents such as mice and rats

Mouse and rat bait stations

Disinfectants Kills bacteria, mould and mildew Bleach

Ammonia

Kitchen and bathroom cleaners

Pool and spa cleaners

Wood Preservatives Protects wood from insects and fungi

Pressure-treated wood

Pesticides are often grouped into “families” because they share similar chemical properties, or they act on the pest in the same way. A pesticide product may have active ingredients form more than one chemical family. Some common families include:

o Organophosphates:

▪ There are several types of pesticides in this family, depending on the exact chemicals used.

▪ Usually made form phosphoric acid

▪ Most organophosphates are insecticides. They control pests by acting on the nervous system (for example, the pesticide interferers with nerve-impulse transmission by disrupting the enzyme (cholinesterase) that regulates acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter))


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▪ With a few exceptions, most are highly toxic

▪ Organophosphates are used because they are less persistent (breakdown faster) in soil, food or feed for animals than other families, such as organochlorine pesticides. However, many are being phased-out or used only in critical applications.

▪ Examples are chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, fenthion, Malathion, naled, temephos and trichlorifon.

o Organochlorines (Chlorinated Hydrocarbons)

▪ Controls pests by disrupting nerve-impulse transmission (disrupts ion flow at the axon/synapse level)

▪ Generally persistent in soil, food and in human and animal bodies (does not breakdown quickly)

▪ They can accumulate in fatty tissues

▪ Traditionally used for insects and mite control, but many are no longer used due to their ability to remain in the environment for a long time.

▪ Examples include Aldrin, chlordane, diedrin, endosulfan and endrin

o Carbamates and Thiocaramates

▪ Made from carbamic acid

▪ Control pests by acting on the nervous system (interfere with nerve-impulse transmission by disrupting enzyme (cholinesterase) that regulates acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter))

▪ In general, are less persistent in the environment than the organochlorine family

▪ Includes insecticides, herbicides and fungicides

▪ The health hazard to humans and animals is mild with herbicides and fungicides, while greater with insecticides

▪ Examples for insecticides include Carbaryl, Propovure, Methomyl, Carbofuran, Thiodicarb

▪ Examples for herbicides include Barban, EPTC, Propham, Traillate

▪ An example of fungicides is nabam

o Pyrethoids (synthetic)

▪ Disrupts nerve-impulse transmission (increased sodium ion flow into axon) which stimulates nerve cells and eventually causes paralysis.

▪ Stable in sunlight (do not degrade quickly)

▪ Examples include cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamenthrin, esfenvalerate, and permethrin

o Pesticides are formulated (prepared) in liquid, solid and gaseous forms.

▪ Liquid formulations include a suspensions (flowables), solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, microencapsulated suspensions, and aerosols.

▪ Solid formulations include dusts, particulates, granular, pellets, soluble granules, soluble powders, baits, tablets, dry flowables and wettable powders.

▪ Gases pesticides are typically fumigants (can be sold as liquids or gases).


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oAbbreviations are used with the trade name on the pesticides label to indicate the type offormulation. Some examples of words and abbreviations used for pesticides label formulation statements are:

It is important to know what form the pesticide is in because the form can have an impact onhow hazardous the chemical may be. For example, your skin absorbs liquids more easily than powders. In some cases, formulation such as emulsifiable concentrates may be more easily absorbed than water solutions. In addition, adjuvants (a chemical added to a pesticide to increase its effect) may be added to a spray solution. Some adjuvants may increase the amount of pesticides that spreads onto or sticks to your skin, and the amount that is absorbed through the skin.Pesticides are classified according to the use hazard and risk involved. The categories of hazard are:ToxicityFlammabilityExplosive PotentialCorrosivelyOtherThe degree of risk is represented by symbols taken from common traffic sign shapes represented by the stop, caution and yield signs. The signal word for each of the signs is danger (high risk), warning (moderate risk) and caution (low risk). Where the risk is minimal, no designation is required. The label on the container will carry the appropriate signs for the protection of the user. Degree of risk symbols for pesticides used in field and forage crops are included in the product directory. The symbols are:


No.


D Dust or Powder

DF Dry Flowable

E or E C Emulsifiable Concentrate

F Flowable

G Granular

P Pellet

S Solution

SC Sprayable Concentration

SP Soluble Powder

WDG Water Dispersible Granules

WP Wettable Powder

WS Water Soluble Concentrate


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o LD50 values are used to rage the toxicity of pesticides. The LD50 refers to the dose of pesticides (in mg per kg of the test animal’s body weight) that is lethal to 50% of the group test animals. For example, if a pesticide has an LD50 value of 10mg/kg and the test animal each weigh 1 kg, then 50%of the animals would die if they each ate 10mg of the pesticide.

o Different types of protective equipment are required for pesticides that differ in toxicity. Special equipment requirements are described on the product label, but in general the following precautions must be taken when using pesticides of different hazard ratings:

▪ Danger Poison – requires goggles, respirator, gloves, and skin protection, avoid fumes and spray mists.

▪ Warning Poison – requires goggles, gloves, and skin protection, avoid fumes and spray mists.

▪ Caution Poison – requires gloves and skin protection avoid fumes and spray mists.o The absence of a hazard symbol on a pesticide label indicates low toxicity to mammals.

Nevertheless, protective clothing should be worn when using pesticides that do not have a hazard symbol.

o Proper PPE:

▪ The use of protective equipment and sound safety procedures will help minimize your exposure to pesticides. Follow the 10 rules for safe application listed below, and wear the safety equipment recommended.

10 Rules for Safe Applications:

o Never smoke or eat while working around pesticides.

o Avoid inhaling sprays or dusts. Wear protective clothing and a respirator

o Sprayer lines carrying chemical should not enter the operators cab

o Have soap, water and a towel available. Should concentrated produce spill on skin, hands, face or eyes, wash immediately

o Wash hands and face when leaving the treated area, before break periods, lunch and using the washroom.

o Bathe or shower and change into clean clothing after working with pesticides. Wash clothing each day before re-use.

o Call a physician or get the patient to a hospital immediately if symptoms of illness occur during or shortly after pesticide application. Be sure to take along the product label or container.

o Store pesticides out of reach of children and where there is no chance of contact with human food or livestock feeds. Do not store herbicides with insecticides and avoid cross-contamination. Storage areas should be locked.


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o Keep chemicals in their ori containers should be triplin rinsed, punctured to render delivered to

ginal container disposal methods. Allg rinsed or pressure rinsed or pressure the container non-reusable, and

Equipment Protection How to Wear It

Coveralls There are two types of coveralls: Disposable and Reusable.

Disposable coveralls are lightweight and comfortable on warm days. They can be worn for mixing and applying pesticides, and then discarded at the days end. If they become contaminated they should be discarded at once.

The second type of coverall is made of washable fabric and may be reused many times. These fabric coveralls are adequate for use withal but the most toxic and concentrated pesticides.

Button (or zip) right up to the neck. Loose coveralls around the neck will suck and blow pesticide in and out of the interior of the coveralls as you bend and move.

Wear coveralls over a long-sleeved shirt and pants.

Aprons When pouring or otherwise handling concentrated pesticides, it makes sense to wear protection in the form of an apron. The apron protects the front of your body from spills or splashes of the concentrate.

The apron should be made of rubber or synthetic liquid-proof material that will resist the solvents.

Make sure the apron covers your body from your chest to your boots.

Gloves Protect your hands by wearing chemical- resistant gloves. Neoprene gloves provide the best protection. Natural rubber gloves may be used when handling organophosphorus or carbamate pesticides. Never use lined gloves, gloves with wristbands or leather gloves

Put gloves on and roll up the first inch or two of the cuff. That way when you lift your hands, any liquid on the gloves won’t drip down your arm.

Hats Use a chemical-resistant hat, preferably made of washable plastic. The hat may be a hard hat or made of flexible plastic. In either case, it should have a plastic sweatband.Wash and dry entire hat after each use and before storing. Ordinary baseball caps with cloth sweatbands are dangerous as they absorb the pesticide and re-contaminate the forehead each time you wear them. Even small amounts or moderately or slightly toxic pesticides may cause sever skin irritation or other illness if exposure continues for several days


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Boots Wear chemical –resistant, unlined boots. These boots are available in a variety of styles and materials.

Neoprene boots are the best. Knee-length boots offer greater protection because they extend above the lower end of the apron. Avoid leather or fabric boots and shoes because these will absorb pesticides and cannot be cleaned

Wear your pant legs outside the top of your boots. This will prevent spills and splashes from running into the boot and onto your leg.

Goggles Chemical-resistant goggles keep your eyes safe from both splashing and, if using dry formulations, dust or granules. Don’t use googles with cloth or elastic headbands as these will absorb pesticides

Wear goggles snugly on your face so that the sides of your head are protected from splashes. If you wear glasses, make sure your purchase goggles that fit snugly over them.Never wear contact lenses when working around

Respirators Only NIOSH-approved respirators should be used. Do not exchange parts of different respirators (for example, do not use a cartridge produced by Company A with a respirator produce3d by Company B as the combination may not provide adequate protection to the user). Dust masks are ineffective in protecting against herbicide vapours or mists. Chemical cartridge respirator are recommended for outdoor use when missing and applying herbicides.

When carrying out operations, change filters each day. The cartridge should be replaced when chemical odour becomes apparent or when breathing becomes difficult. New cartridges should always be installed at the beginning of the spray season. Prior to commencing work, check the face seal white the respirator is on the wearers face. Regardless of design, respirators cannot be worn securely by people wearing beards, moustaches or sideburns.

Face Shields Goggles offer some protection, but frequently full-face protection is advised or required according to the pesticide label. It is especially important to protect your eyes and face when pouring or mixing liquid concentrates. Effective face shields are made of clear plastic.

Since the shield attached to the hard hat, you can raise or lower it as needed.


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o Safety Procedures before working on Sprayers:

▪ BEFORE any work can be done on a sprayer (either repairs or cleaning) the Mandatory Sprayer Safety Form must be filled out by the client. This form will allow you to get full chemical details within the unit. With the chemical information refer or look up the MSDS/SDS before continuing. Also refer to Safe Work Procedure – Working on Machinery for more details.


o When pesticides application is completed each day it is important for farmers to empty and clean the sprayer thoroughly to prevent breakdown of certain pesticides, prevent adhesion of the pesticides to the sprayer and to maintain the sprayer parts in good condition. Certain pesticides break down very quickly when left in solution and several pesticides solution can be corrosive to sprayer parts. Sprayer cleaning is especially important when changing from one crop to another or from one pesticide to another.

o Do not clean sprayers where rinse can run off into ditches or other water bodies, near sensitive plants or shelterbelts, or where other people or animals are likely to walk, to avoid unnecessary exposure to people, animals, and the environment.

o There are three basic types of rinse solution for cleaning sprayer tanks. Their recipes and basic procedures are outlined below:

▪ The Ammonia Rinse – Fill spray tank and add 1L of household ammonia (3%) for every 100L of clean water needed for the rinse and begin agitation. Allow solution to flush through the booms until the boom is completely filled with ammonia solution and top of the tank with water. Circulate the ammonia solution through the tank and pump system for 15 minutes. Flush hoses and booms with ammonia rinse solution again (minimum 5 minutes) before emptying. Remove nozzles and screens and scrub with 0.1L household ammonia per 10L clean water and an old toothbrush. Perform clean water rinse to remove ammonia solution prior to next spray load. Some herbicides recommend leaving the ammonia rinse in the tank over night to improve cleaning potential.

▪ The Fresh Water Rinse – The spray tank cleaning should begin and end with a fresh water rinse to remove the majority of potential contaminants prior to the cleansing process or prior to the next round of spraying. Drain the tank of its previous contents and fill the tank with clean water. Open nozzle valves and pump clean water through the booms and hoses. Top up the tank with more clean water and circulate/agitate for at least 10 minutes and empty the tank of waste water. If this is the first rinse after spraying, a high pressure hose could be used to clean residue from all surfaces in the tank. Do not enter the tank during the cleaning process.

▪ The Detergent Rinse – after rinsing with clean water, fill spray tank and add a heavy-duty detergent at 0.25L per 100L of water. Circulate the mixture for a minimum of 5 minutes and spray out through sprayer nozzles. Nozzles and screens are removed and cleaned individually with the same detergent solution in a small container. Soaking in this solution for several hours also helps to loosen any deposits.


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o The above solutions are just components of the overall sprayer cleaning process. Typical rinse instructions will repeat a combination of one or two or all of these basic rinses. Below we will give some generic instructions utilizing the basic rinses as components of the larger cleaning procedure. Never enter the tank during the cleaning process as some cleaners may release dangerous cases.

▪ Method A – Drain contents of tank – 1 to 2X water Rinse – 2X Ammonia Rinse – 2X Water Rinse (one just prior to the next spraying event)

▪ Method B – Drain contents of tank – 2X Water Rinse – 2X Detergent Rinse – 2X Water Rinse

▪ Method C – Drain contents of tank – Several repetitions of the Water Rinse with nozzles and screens removed and checked for debris.

o The above directions are general processes based on the similarities of tank cleaning recommendations between products in each of the pesticides. Always follow the specific instruction on the product label.

o In the case of products that have no cleaning recommendations on the label, there are some basic principles that can be applied. Products that are water based formulation s can usually be cleaned from spray tanks using Method C above. Products that are formulated as an EC, SC or F (flowable) or use a petroleum based adjuvant should at least use Method B. The detergent breaks down the oil that may be sticking to the side of the tank. Products in Group 2 (most will already have a recommendation); with the exception of the ‘IMI’ products will require the use of Method A. The Ammonia in Method A either increases the solubility of the product allowing it to be easily removed from the tank surfaces or speeds the breakdown of these products in water. If the product that is to be cleaned out of the tank is a combination of these elements, use a combination of Methods to clean the tank. In these cases, use a good commercial tank-cleaning product from a recognised source, with both ammonia and detergent as components.

4. Grain Carts & Combines:

Grain Dust:

o Grain dust is the dust produced from the harvesting, drying, handling, storage or processing of barley, wheat, oats, maize, or rye and includes any contaminates or additives within the dust (for example bacteria, endotoxin, fungal spores, insects and insect debris, pesticide residue)

o A dust explosion is the rapid combustion of fine particles suspended in the air, often but not always in an enclosed location. Dust explosions can occur where any dispersed powdered combustible material is present in high enough concentrations in the atmosphere or other oxidizing gaseous medium such as oxygen.

o Health risks are also likely to arise from exposure to dust produced by other types of grain (example rise, sorghum, pulses (such as soya beans), peas and various oilseeds such as rapeseed)

o Respiratory disease (a disease affecting your lungs and breathing tubes) is a major occupational health risk, for example, in agriculture the number of occupational asthma cases is double the national average. Studies have shown that workers exposures to grain dust can be substantial.


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o The possible ill health outcomes of being exposed to Grain Dust are:

▪ Rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose)

▪ Coughing and breathing difficulties

▪ Asthma

▪ Chronic Bronchitis

▪ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

▪ Extrinsic Allergic Aveolitis (farmers lung)

▪ Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome

o Control Measures for Grain Dust:

▪ Changing processing and activities to reduce grain dust at source

▪ Segregate processes form exposed workers

▪ Local exhaust ventilation

▪ Limit the exposure time of workers

▪ Proper handling of materials

▪ Good Housekeeping (don’t use a brush or compressed air, and never used compressed air to remove dust from clothing

▪ Proper Training


o Regular and thorough cleaning of machine combined with other routine maintenance procedures listed in the Operators Manual greatly reduce the risk of fire, change of costly downtime and improve the machines performance.

o Crop material and other debris can accumulate in various areas. Direction of wind, type of crop, and crop moisture content can all impact where and how much crop material and debris can accumulate.

o Below are some suggested areas to inspect and clean regularly, but there may be other areas that may also collect crop debris and must be cleaned periodically for machine function.

o Read Safety Information in Operators Manual – Always follow all safety procedures posted on the machine and in the Operators Manual. Before carrying out any inspection or cleaning, always shot OFF Engine, set parking brake and remove key.

o Thoroughly clean machine from top to bottom with compressed air. First clean all areas accessible from engine deck. Start with engine compartment, floor underneath engine, top rear of rotor and rear deck, including areas around Exhaust Aftertreatment Enclosure (if equipped). Once top areas of machine are clean, proceed to cleaning areas accessible from ground level.

o From ground level, clean rear underside of fuel tank area and top of the rear tailboard of the residual disposal system. Exhaust Aftertreatment Enclosure is (if equipped) will also need to be cleaned from ground level. Once the cleaning from ground level is finished, recheck engine compartment for any crop debris that could have blown in from ground cleaning.


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Engine Compartment:Top Area of Engine and TurbochargersExhaust Manifold and Manifold Sheild, Turbo Interstage Tube, Eshaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler tubeAround engineUnderneath engine

Note: Some sheilds were removed for photo clarity


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Engine Compartment Continued:

5. Top rear of rotor and areas around rotor drive

6. Main Engine Gearcase

7. Areas around and under exhaust Aftertreatment Enclosure

8. On top of Fuel Tank

Ground Accessible:

9. Rear Tailboard and Underneath Fuel Tank

10. Left Side Walk Area

11. Left Side Sidesheet Areas


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12. Post Operation:

Decontamination Procedure for PPE:

After any activity involving the handling of contaminated or potentially contaminated material and before leaving the immediate work area, apply these procedures. Do not remove respiratory protective equipment until other decontamination steps are complete.

a) Remove coveralls and boot covers at the perimeter of the work area, and place them in a disposable bag. Collapse the bag and temporarily seal it.

b) Move away from the clean-up or contaminated area to a location where there are no other workers (preferably outdoors) leaving eye and respiratory protection in place.

c) Wet-wipe exposed reusable respirator surfaces, eyewear and rubber footwear with a disinfection solution.

d) Rinse the outside of gloves in the disinfectant solution. Remove the gloves and place them in a plastic bag for disposal (or if the gloves are reusable, disinfect them before storing them).

e) Place disposable respirator in a plastic bag. Permanently seal the bag. Seal the bag. For reusable respirators, tape shut the inlet opening of the respirator cartridges to prevent the release of dust (cartridges may be reused until breathing becomes difficult) or discard the cartridges. Clean and disinfect the respirator body. Store the respirator in a cool, clean location free form contamination.

f) Remove eyewear. Clean and disinfect it before storing it, or discard it.

g) Wash exposed skin surfaces thoroughly with soap and water.

Documentation of cleaning or removal of chemicals from machinery. This has to be done to notify the client of what work was done to the equipment and the processes necessary for safe repairs of their machinery.

Forms Associated with this Policy

INSERT APPLICABLE OHS LEGISLATION HERE IF REQUIRED


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safe work procedure template · web view2021. 6. 11. · chemical fertilizers refer to...

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