Farmers’ pesticide storage guidelines are in place to minimize exposure, but sometimes these guidelines are not followed and accidental use can happen. This can lead to unintended consequences. For example, one farmer might use a pesticide that has been banned and receive a notice for improper storage, or it may cause damage to the crops when used improperly and help create another agricultural crisis by increasing reliance on pesticides.
Improper use or storage of pesticides can threaten the environment and public health. This publication is designed to improve the way users do almacenamiento de plaguicidas and to reduce agricultural problems, and thus properly store their pesticides will be the first step that each farmer can take to protect themselves, their families, the workers, and their crops.
Maintain an organized inventory of pesticides
Farmers should always keep a record of the quantity, formulation, and identity of all pesticides they store.
To manage their farms better and avoid losing pesticides, farmers should organize their inventory. An inventory of all fields, farms and stocks will help prevent loss or damage to pesticides.
Farmers are strongly encouraged to keep pesticide inventories in a safe place away from the area where they store and apply the pesticide, or in a locked container at their home or farm. If a farmer will go out and apply their pesticides, it is important to have the pesticide in their hand and close by.
Maintain records of all pesticide handling practices, including application specifications
Farmers should document their specific use of pesticides for each crop and or field. For example, if you apply an herbicide, you must document how much product was applied per acre and where on the field the herbicide was used.
Store pesticides safely and separately from finished products, containers and equipment
Farmers should store all pesticides in a safe area away from the homes, water sources, areas where children play, and livestock.
Farmers should store their pesticides separately from other chemicals to avoid contamination. This also helps prevent loss of pesticide stock when a container is reached into haphazardly.
Pesticides should not be stored in the same place as cleaning products, fertilizer, and other chemicals. This will help to protect against contamination of chemicals.
Farmers need to pay attention that their pesticides are stored in a way so it doesn’t become damaged by weather, temperature change or humidity.
Put all pesticides away after each use
Farmers should put all pesticides away after each use to protect their family and animals at home. Farmers must remember to put away unused pesticides they carry back home.