2010 Fumigant Handler and Worker Protection Measures

1. 2010 Fumigant Handlerand Worker Protection Measures Western Regions Pesticide Meeting May 2010

2. Who is a handler? A person in the application block from the start of the application until the entry restricted period ends (2010), and A person in the buffer zone from the start of the application until the buffer zone period ends (2011). 2

3. Handler activities include: Participating in the application as supervisors, loaders, drivers, tractor co-pilots, shovelers, cross ditchers, or as other direct application participants; Using devices to take air samples to monitor fumigant air concentrations; Cleaning up fumigant spills (this does not include emergency personnel not associated with the fumigation application); Handling or disposing of fumigant containers; Cleaning, handling, adjusting, or repairing the parts of fumigation equipment that may contain fumigant residues; Installing, repairing, operating, or removing irrigation equipment in the application block or surrounding buffer zone during the buffer zone period; Entering the application block or surrounding buffer zone during the buffer zone period to perform scouting, crop advising, or monitoring tasks; Installing, perforating, removing, repairing, or monitoring tarps Performing any handling tasks as defined by the WPS. 3

4. Supervision of Handlers Non-water run applications (e.g., shank, hot gas) “Certified applicators must be at the fumigation site in the line of sight of the application and must directly supervise all persons performing handling activities” Water run applications (e.g., center pivot, drip) Certified applicator must be at the site to begin the application Handlers under the supervision of certified applicator must return every two hours to check on the application Communicate via cell phone or other means 4

5. Handler Respiratory Protection Handlers must stop work or use respirators if air concentrations exceed acceptable limits or if they experience sensory irritation For methyl bromide formulations with < 20% chloropicrin, handlers must use respirators and monitor with devices to determine the air concentrations to ensure the upper working limit of the respirator is not exceeded. 5

6. Handler activity begins. Handlers are NOT wearing APRs. Sensory Irritation Certified applicator in charge decides to cease operations rather than continue with respirators. Handlers must stop work and leave application block and buffer zone. If 2 samples taken at least 15 minutes apart, show concentrations are less than the label action level and NO sensory irritation, then Resume operations. Figure A. Requirements when handlers cease operations

7. If a handler puts on a respirator instead of stopping work then Air concentration measurements must be taken every 2 hours with direct-read detection devices If a handler experiences sensory irritation while wearing the respirator, work must stop In order to resume work, air monitoring must show concentrations are below the label’s trigger level, the handler must not experience any sensory irritation, and respirator cartridges must be changed Handler Respiratory Protection 7

8. Handlers who use respirators must be: fit-tested trained physically fit to wear a respirator* *http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9783 8

9. 2010 Tarp Perforation & RemovalandEntry Restrictions Western Regions Pesticide Meeting May 2010

10. Tarp Perforation and Removal Perforation • 5 days after fumigant application is complete Removal • 2 hours after perforation is complete Planting • Less than 14 days after application: • Plant 48 hours after tarp perforation is complete • 14 days or more after application: • Perforate and plant simultaneously

11. Early Tarp Removal and Perforation • Early removal (before 5 days) for broadcast applications is allowed • if adverse weather conditions (i.e., high wind, hail, storms) have compromised the integrity of the tarp and the tarp poses a safety hazard. • Early perforation is allowed for flood prevention activities • Tarps must be retucked and packed after soil removal

12. Other Tarp Perforation Measures • Each tarp panel used for broadcast applications must be perforated. • Manual perforation may ONLY occur: • At the beginning of each row when a coulter blade is used on a motorized vehicle such as an ATV, or • In fields that are 1 acre or less, or • During flood prevention activities. • In all other instances, tarps must be perforated only by mechanical methods • Perforation for broadcast fumigations must be completed before noon • For broadcast fumigations, tarps must not be perforated if rainfall is expected within 12 hours

13. Entry Restricted Period • Current labels allow reentry after 48 hours • Fumigant dissipation rate highly variable (soil conditions, application method, tarp type, etc.) • Reentry time lengthened Entry Restricted Period ≠ REI

14. Entry Restricted Period: Untarped Applications 5 days after application is complete Drip Untarped Shank Untarped Center Pivot 14

15. Entry Restricted Period: Untarped Applications Application Begins 48 hours Buffer Zone Period Begins Application Ends Buffer Zone Period Ends Entry Restricted Period Begins Entry Restricted Period Ends 5 days (120 hours) 10am Mon 10am Weds 10am Sat

16. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications If tarps are perforated and removed less than 14 days after application, entry into the treated area is prohibited until the tarps are removed.

17. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications 10am Weds 10am Fri 10am Mon 11am Mon 1pm Mon

18. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications • If tarps will not be removed for at least 14 days after the application but they will be perforated before 14 days, entry into the treated areas is prohibited until 48 hours after tarps are perforated.

19. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications tarps will not be removed during the 14 days after the application is perforated 3pm Fri 3pm Weds 2pm Fri 2pm Weds

20. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications • If tarps are perforated and/or removed at least 14 days after the application is complete, entry into the treated area is prohibited for 5 days

21. Entry Restricted Period: Tarped Applications tarps will not be perforated until a month after the application and the tarps will not be removed until 3 months after the application 10am Tues 10am Thurs 10am Sun