Reporting Problems

Monitoring the Application Process

The following steps must be taken and monitored continuously:

• Ensure that all necessary information, such as fields to be sprayed, spray covering and CPP attributes (especially toxicity) are well communicated to tractor drivers and other personnel involved, as well as other workers that may be active in the area.
• Check that all personnel concerned are wearing suitable protective clothing. Take into account the toxicity of the CPP as indicated on the product label.
• Check that the correct CPPs are used and that each spraying tank is mixed with the correct concentration as recommended on the label.
• If applicable, check the pH of the water and adjust with a buffer if necessary.
• You must check that the accelerator is set at the correct revolutions to obtain the desired PTO speed (require 540 rpm) are attained on the tractor.
• Check whether the pump on the spraying machine is operating at the correct pressure.
• Check that correct discs and spinners have been inserted into the nozzles.
• Check that the agitator of the spraying machine is functioning adequately and that the CPPs placed inside the spray tank are well mixed.
• Check spray coverage on the trees and ensure that the physical wetting is as desired.
• Ensure that all nozzles are sprayed onto the tree. You may have to close or alter the direction of the nozzles.
• Check that the quantity of litres being applied per tree is within an acceptable range of dosage required. This can be done by comparing the number of tanks used against the number of trees sprayed.
• Check that the number of tanks sprayed and the quantity of CPP used coincide.
• Observe climatic conditions and react accordingly. Stop spraying if it starts raining or is too windy or too hot.
• Finally, the effectiveness of the spray against the target pest must be determined. In the case of thrips or bollworm, results should be noticeable in 24 hours.

Reporting Problems And Unusual Occurrences

Many of the points referred to above are fairly simple. It is however very important to consult with the supervisor or crop protection manager if you are unsure about anything.

Management must prescribe reporting procedures to all employees to ensure that these procedures are obeyed. The procedures must be applied and enforced at all times. Do not wait, report problems or unusual occurrences immediately. Rather be safe than sorry.

The prescribed procedures for the preparation and application of plant protection products must be monitored carefully.

Problems and unusual occurrences.

Dealing With Emergencies

Emergency situations occur even when every precaution has been taken to prevent them from happening. It is essential that all authorised personnel handling CPPs are aware of the steps that must be taken in case of an emergency.

Spills, leakages and poisoning are the most common emergency situations that occur where CPPs are handled.

Equipment Procedures For Minor Spills And Leakages

The following equipment should be available and easily accessible at all times in areas where CPPs are stored and must be used when a CPP spill or leakage occurs:

• Two sets of protective clothing, including respirators and facemasks
• Two brooms
• Two shovels
• 50kg powdered lime
• A number of open-top drums in which to place spilt CPPs.

Personnel can react immediately in case of an emergency if the above-mentioned equipment is in place.

Lime is suitable as a general-purpose absorbent for liquid CPPs due to its alkaline nature. It assists the degradation of most toxic substances such as organophosphates.

Clean-up Procedures

• All persons that regularly work within a CPP storage area must be able to cope if a spill or leakage occurs.
• Apply first aid to anyone affected by the CPP and obtain medical attention immediately.
• Isolate the area; remove and keep all unauthorised people away from this area.
• Every person involved in the cleaning up operation must wear protective clothing.
• Attempt to enclose the spill or leakage as far as possible by constructing an absorbent barrier of sand or lime around the spilt material.
• Place leaking containers, if any, into open-top drums and label the drums clearly for future reference or disposal.
• Collect the spilt material and absorbent substance with shovels and brooms and place them into open-top drums for disposal.
• Ventilate the building as much as possible by opening all doors and windows.
• If the spillage is on soil or gravel, dig up the area and remove the contaminated soil.
• If the spillage is on concrete, neutralise the CPP with lime or a 10% solution of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) or alternatively, with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
• Clean all equipment used during the clean-up operation thoroughly, including laundering protective clothing, and store for future use.
• Dispose of the open-top drums and their contents.

Procedures In Case Of Poisoning

The local doctor must be advised in advance which CPPs are going to be used during the season. Supply him with a copy of every CPP’s label that will be used. This should enable him to have appropriate antidotes on hand.

Every person that works with CPPs or comes into contact with CPPs should be thoroughly aware of the symptoms of poisoning. A list of the symptoms should be displayed prominently within the work area. It can be similar to the figure below:

General Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning (AVCASA, 2001)

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Tremors of Tongue and Eyelids
• Salivation
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Muscular Weakness
• Anxiety
• Blurred Vision

In the event of poisoning, arrange for medical attention as soon as possible, or arrange for transporting the affected person to a hospital or clinic. While this is being done, administer the following first aid procedures:

• Determine which CPP caused the poisoning.
• If the product is known, consult the label for the specific first aid procedures.
• Determine how the CPP was taken in, i.e. by mouth, through the skin or by inhalation.
• Make sure that the breathing tract is open.
• If the patient is unconscious, turn them onto their stomach.
• Start artificial respiration if the person is not breathing.
• If the patient absorbed the CPP via the skin, remove the patient from the contamination point, remove all contaminated clothing and wash affected areas with soap and water.
• If the eyes have been affected, wash with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
• If the CPPs have been swallowed do NOT induce vomiting unless it is specifically specified on the chemical’s label.
• Keep the patient warm.

Emergency Procedures To Be Administered By Qualified Medical Personnel

The following emergency procedures can be administered to a person that has been poisoned, but may ONLY be administered by qualified, authorised medical personnel:

Organophosphate poisoning – Atropine by injection.

Organochlorine poisoning – Treatment will depend on symptoms. Control convulsions and maintain tissue oxygenation.

Carbamate poisoning– Atropine by injection.

Incident Reports

An incident normally refers to an accident or a near accident at the workplace where:

• Workers were or could have been injured or killed
• Safety was compromised
• Property was damaged

In an effort to understand the causes of the accident, an incident report is written by the supervisor or manager responsible for the work being conducted. Incident reports are necessary as it compels persons involved to explore every angle of the accident (or near accident) in an attempt to prevent any similar accidents in future. Serious accidents are to be reported to the Department of Labour which will conduct its own investigation, which may lead to the prosecution of the responsible person if negligence is found to be the cause.

An incident report should at least contain the following information:

1. Date of occurrence
2. Place of occurrence
3. Name of a department manager
4. Name(s) of injured person(s)
5. Description of injuries, illness or damage to property
6. Full description of how the accident took place
7. Names of witnesses to the accident

Procedures for emergency situations must be in place and known to all personnel.

The most common emergencies are poisoning and spillages.

The symptoms of poisoning must be displayed prominently in the area where chemicals are stored and handled.

When a person shows symptoms of poisoning, medical attention must be arranged as soon as possible, and first aid must be administered in the meantime.

The equipment for containing and cleaning spillages must be on hand at all times.

The procedures for containing and cleaning spillages must be followed carefully.

Incident reports must be completed for any incident in which workers were or may have been injured or killed, during which safety was compromised, or in which property was damaged.