Plant Industry Division

HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT PESTICIDES: Inspecting Your Pesticide Inventory

Pesticides should always be handled carefully and according to the label.  When transporting pesticides and their containers, you must take appropriate safety precautions to minimize or prevent leaks or spills.  The following transportation tips can help you be prepared, know what do to in case of spills, and have the proper spill cleanup equipment on hand.  Always wash your hands after handling pesticides or containers.

• Wear personal protective equipment. When examining your pesticide inventory, take appropriate precautions and wear appropriate protective gear such as, rubber gloves, a chemical-resistant apron, goggles or safety glasses, a long sleeve shirt and long pants, a dust mask or half-face respirator, chemical resistant footwear (i.e., rubber boots) and socks.

 

• Before handling, visually check the pesticide container. Rusty metal, brittle plastic or aged paper containers may be unsafe to handle and could break upon moving.  First, do a visual check.  Is the pesticide container deteriorated or leaking?  Can it be moved safely?

 

• Examine labels for safety instructions. If there is no label, treat the product as if it is highly hazardous.

 

• Acquire Safety Data Sheets (“SDS”). The SDS contains critical information for the driver and emergency responders. It lists steps to safely deal with spills, including the personal protective equipment (“PPE”) to use, whether the spill carries an inhalation or explosion risk, decontamination procedures, and emergency telephone numbers.

 

• Work in well-ventilated areas. Avoid breathing pesticide fumes and dusts.

 

• Keep pesticide containers closed. There should be no need to open the pesticide container; it may be unsafe.

 

HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT PESTICIDES: Packing-Repacking for Transport

• Wear protective clothing. Don the proper personal protective equipment as instructed by the label or as the situation requires prior to packing or repacking for transport.

 

• Keep pesticides in their original containers. Do not remove products from their original containers unless the container is leaking or questionable.  Many of these pesticide containers meet the U.S. Department of Transportation packaging standards to give added protection to the contents.  If a pesticide is not in its original container and you have the label, bring the label to help assist with identifying the pesticide.

 

• Line the vehicle’s storage area with plastic. Line the storage area of the transport vehicle with plastic sheeting to contain any spillage that might occur and therefore simplify cleanup and decontamination.  If possible, transport the pesticide waste to the collection site in the back of a pickup or trunk of a car.

 

• Organize your pesticides. If possible, arrange the pesticides by hazard class (flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, poisons, etc).

 

• Inspect containers before loading. Be sure to inspect the pesticide container(s) prior to loading your vehicle.  Confirm that all caps, plugs, or other openings are tightly closed.

 

• Prevent shifting or container damage when transporting.  To prevent container damage and leakage, when packing pesticide containers for transport, secure containers to prevent shifting, rolling, sliding, overturning or spilling.  Insert pieces of cardboard in between tightly packed containers for cushioning.

 

• Protect containers from the elements. Keep all containers dry during transport.

 

• Complete your registration form. Make sure your load matches your completed registration form.

 

• Drive directly to the collection site. Only transport containers that are securely packaged, leak-free, and unbroken.  Tightly close lids (if applicable).  If there is a label, attach the label to the container.

You can use this checklist.

Never transport pesticides with food, livestock or animal feed.  Transport pesticides separately from seed, grain, or consumer goods.  Avoid exposure to humans and animals.

Do not transport pesticides in areas occupied by passengers.  Spilled chemicals may cause harmful fumes that can be inhaled and make the driver and other passengers ill.  A pesticide spilled in the cab is difficult to remove and may lead to long-term inhalation exposure.

Transportation-related accidents can happen at any point along the way; drive with care.  Take precautions when transporting pesticides; avoid unnecessary travel and drive directly to the collection site.

HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT PESTICIDES: Packing Damaged or Leaking Containers

• LIQUID MATERIALS

For your safety, do not mix or consolidate pesticide waste.

If the container is leaking, put on appropriate personal protective equipment and place the damaged or leaking container into a larger, secondary, leakproof container, such as a 5-gallon bucket or similar container.  If available, securely close the container with the bucket’s lid.  If a lid is unavailable, before placing the leaking container inside, line the bucket or similar container with a leakproof garbage bag.  Securely close the bag with a knot, string or twist tie.  DO NOT TAPE!  The bag will need to be opened once delivered to the collection location.

A leakproof garbage bag placed inside a sturdy cardboard box with vermiculite or other non-flammable absorbent material (i.e., kitty litter) may also be used for transportation (this arrangement is not recommended for long term storage).  Clean up any spilled pesticide and place the contaminated materials in the secondary container.  Securely close the bag with a knot, string or twist tie.

If there is a label, attach the label to the container.

Place containers upright and brace them to prevent shifting during transport.

• DRY MATERIALS

Place the original bag inside an oversized leakproof plastic garbage bag.  Place the plastic bag inside sturdy container such as a cardboard box or plastic, 5-gallon bucket.  Securely close the bag with a knot, string or twist tie.  DO NOT TAPE!  The bag will need to be opened once delivered to the collection location.

If there is a label, attach the label to the container.

Place containers upright and brace them to prevent shifting during transport.

HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT PESTICIDES: Spills and Accidents

Despite all safety precautions, accidents can happen.  The first line of defense is recognizing how to prevent these transportation mishaps.  If a spill or accident occurs during transportation to the pesticide collection site, quick action is imperative.

The faster you can contain, absorb, and dispose of a spill, decreases the chance of harm to vegetation, domestic animals, wildlife, and water quality.  Clean up spills immediately, even minor dribbles can expose unprotected persons or animals.  Never leave a spill unattended. When in doubt, get assistance and have a pesticide spill kit available.

If a pesticide is spilled on a person’s body or clothing, remove the contaminated clothing as quickly as possible and wash affected area(s) of the body thoroughly with soap and water.

In any pesticide contamination incident, follow the instructions given in the label’s first aid treatment guidelines. If the label is unavailable, seek medical attention or contact the

Hawaii Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

If toxic fumes are present at the spill site, evacuate people and animals from the immediate area until qualified rescue personnel arrive at the scene.  If you suspect the leaking material is flammable, DO NOT use road flares or allow anyone to smoke.

Never hose down a contaminated area. This could cause the pesticide to spread and infiltrate into the soil, storm drains or sewers, and possibly reach groundwater supplies or the ocean.

Remain calm, keep people at a safe distance, and practice the Three C’s of Spill Management:

• CONTROL the Spill. Put on your personal protective equipment before contacting the spill or inhaling fumes.  Place fallen containers and bags upright to prevent further release.  If a small container leaked, use your spill kit to immediately control the spill.  Your spill kit should contain an absorbent material (i.e., kitty litter); a shovel; a leakproof plastic garbage bag or bucket; a broom and dustpan, soap and water, a change of clothes, and personal protective equipment.

 

• CONTAIN the Spill. For liquid spills, dike the spill with absorbent material such as activated charcoal, absorptive clay, vermiculite, pet litter, sorbent pads or sawdust to cover the entire spill area.  For dry spills, cover with a tarp.  Prevent the spill from contaminating water or the environment.

 

• CLEANUP the Spill. Sweep or shovel the dry materials and/or absorbed liquids into a leakproof container.

If the spill is too large for you to clean up safely:

• Secure the area.

 

• Keep people at a safe distance.

 

• Call 911 for emergency assistance.

 

• Call the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960, the Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office at (808) 586-4249, the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802, or Chemtrec (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) at (800)-424-9300.

HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT PESTICIDES: The Pesticide Collection Day

Drive with care to avoid breaking containers, causing spills, environmental contamination, and harm to yourself and others. Accidents can occur even when you are transporting materials a short distance. Do all you can to prevent a mishap, but be prepared in case of emergency.  Before transporting pesticides, you should know what to do if a spill occurs.  If any pesticide is spilled in or from the vehicle, take action right away to make sure the spill is cleaned up correctly.

• Transporting Pesticides. The safest way to transport pesticides is in the back of a truck or pickup, with the pesticide containers tied down securely.  If you use a flatbed truck, it should have side and tail racks.  If the truck has a wooden bed, insert an impervious liner such as plastic or a truck bed liner before loading pesticides.  Make sure your truck is in good operating condition.

 

• Load your waste pesticides.  Improperly loaded pesticide containers can fall from your vehicle, or become punctured or torn during transit.  When loading containers, handle them carefully; don’t toss or drop them. Avoid sliding containers over rough surfaces that could rip bags or puncture rigid containers.  Place items upright and brace containers to prevent shifting during transport; drive directly to the collection site.  Arrive within your time slot to avoid unnecessary waiting.

 

• Form a line.  Arrive within your time slot to avoid unnecessary waiting.  At the Entry Checkpoint, follow the instructions given and please stay in your vehicle unless otherwise directed.

 

• Proceed to the unloading Area. When signaled, proceed to the unloading area. Your load will be compared to your registration form.  The contractor will inspect your waste pesticides, look for extra containers or nonconforming pesticide wastes, and unload your vehicle.  Stay in your vehicle unless otherwise directed by the contractor.  After unloading, ask the contractor to check your vehicle to make sure there was no leakage during transport.

 

• Proceed to the exit. After unloading, you will be guided to the exit.