Personal Protective Equipment

N95 Mask

Potential Respirator Shortage Due to COVID-19

April 16, 2020
Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be in short supply, regionally or nationally, in the 2020 growing season. What can people in Ag industry do to prepare?

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treated soybean seeds
Photo courtesy of Kevin Kirby, SDSU, Nathan Mueller, UNL.

Safe Handling of Treated Seed

April 16, 2020
This year remember to be safe when handling treated seed and check the seed tag for specific handling and use directions.

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Different types of gloves work better for different types of pesticide applications.

Reduce Pesticide Exposure with Proper Gloves, Other PPE

March 6, 2019
Wearing chemical-resistant gloves and changing your clothes after using pesticides may help prevent Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder. Here are some tips for choosing the right gloves for the job.

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Spraying a field
Figure 1. Thoroughly cleaning a sprayer after pesticide application is necessary to avoid potential off-target contamination. Just one drop of dicamba can cause visible injury to three acres of crops.

Think Your Sprayer's Clean? Think Again

June 6, 2018
A 120-foot sprayer can have as many as 96 nozzles and screens and stow away as much as 15 gallons of pesticide residue in its nooks and crannies after an application is done. Consider these tips for thoroughly cleaning your sprayer to avoid off-target contamination.

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Body Exposure Points and Personal Protective Equipment

Proper PPE Prevents Pesticide Exposure

April 25, 2018
Besides using common sense, perhaps an applicator’s most important protection is wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Here's an illustrated guide as to what to wear and exposure risk for various body areas.

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Facilal respirators used during pesticide application
Figure 1. Respirators provide protection only if they are in good condition, appropriate for the work, and fit the subject. The fit test determines whether the respirator can provide protection. Remember to read and understand the label before using any pesticide.

Have You Read Your Pesticide Labels Lately?

April 3, 2018
As you ready your field equipment for the coming crop season, are you including a respirator as part of your personal protective equipment? Certain pesticides, such as formulations of Engenia® and Lorsban™, require a NIOSH-approved respirator to mix, load, handle, and apply.

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Photo of gloved pesticide applicator
Figure 1. Personal protective equipment should always include gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks. Some situations also call for protective eyeware and coveralls. (Photos by UNL Pesticide Safety Education Program)

Chemical-Resistant Gloves May Help Prevent Parkinson's

March 14, 2017

One key to pesticide safety is literally in the palm of your hand: wearing proper gloves.

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