Pesticide and Chemical Safety

Last updated on July 19th, 2024 at 10:24 am

Agricultural chemicals refer to any substance involved in the growth or utilization of any plant or animal of economic importance.

Chemicals on the farm can be dangerous. Common chemicals include pesticides fuels, cleaners and solvents, and veterinary chemicals. Treat all chemicals with extreme caution and only ever used according to the instructions.

A pesticide is a substance or mix of substances intended to prevent or destroy pests. These include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Any exposure to pesticides, regardless of the amount or duration, can result in poisoning as well as short-term and long-term health challenges. Pesticide exposure can occur through ingestion (through the mouth), inhalation (through breathing), or absorption (through skin contact). Common health effects include headaches, blurred vision, cancer, burns to skin/eyes/throat/face, nervous system involvement, and birth defects.

Children and pregnant women are uniquely vulnerable to toxic side-effects from pesticide exposure. Chemicals used to clean dairy facilities and equipment, especially dairy pipeline cleaners, pose a special risk for children.

It is important to read all chemical labels completely, and to then follow the directions for use, wear the relevant protective equipment, and to store, clean, and dispose of the chemicals properly. When storing chemicals, make sure they are all properly labelled, kept in their original containers, and stored in a safe area that is dry and shaded. Protective equipment might include goggles, chemical gloves, chemical aprons, respiratory protection like masks, proper footwear, long pants, and shirts with long sleeves. Leather shoes and boots can absorb chemicals, so make sure to wear neoprene or PVC boots when spraying liquids.

Following the use of any chemicals, it is necessary to wash hands and other exposed skin with soap and water and dry carefully. Clothes and footwear exposed to chemicals should not be worn in the home or laundered with family clothing.

Although farming is still a largely family operated business, OSHA does have standards for enforcement (OSHA 29 CFR 1928) and regulations which are applicable to employers with more than 10 employees. In some cases, the General Duty clause will be called into effect as a safe management practice if the hazard is not covered in the Agricultural Standard or the General Industry Standard. The EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard is an excellent guide to use of chemicals and guidance in development of a chemical protection program for agricultural operations.

---

Pesticide and Chemical Safety Resources

Articles and Blog Posts

• Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture
• Pesticide Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment
• Why Do They Do That? Farmers Applying Chemicals

Resource Library

ID	Title	Summary	Link
10358	Anhydrous Ammonia	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 02:14 pm episode of Talking Total Farmer Health…	View
12096	Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Tips for Farmworkers	Last updated on July 16th, 2024 at 12:42 pm Learn how to use Anhydrous Ammonia safely when doing farm work. Text equivalent of “Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Tips for Farmworkers” Spanish…	View
23117	Best Practices in the Detection and Monitoring of Pesticide Exposure	Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 11:25 am This webinar discusses cholinesterase testing and monitoring protocols based on programs from both California and Washington. View this webinar to learn…	View
8903	Cholinesterase Testing Protocols for Healthcare Providers	Last updated on March 5th, 2025 at 09:36 am Cholinesterase testing protocols for healthcare providers. Includes Cholinesterase Testing Protocol Algorithm. Text equivalent of “Cholinesterase Testing Protocols for Healthcare Providers”…	View
12787	Consejos de Seguridad para Agricultores sobre Gas Amoniaco (NH3)	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:24 pm Spanish language guide on how to use Anhydrous Ammonia safely when doing farm work. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este…	View
9864	Dress for Success: Some Things to Know About Personal Protective Equipment BEFORE You Handle a Pesticide	Last updated on July 17th, 2024 at 04:11 pm Syngenta has collaborated with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to create Dress for Success!, a resource for farm employers and employees…	View
9865	How to Comply with the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Owners and Employers Need to Know	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:41 pm EPA in conjunction with the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) is making available a guide to help users of agricultural pesticides…	View
8000	Personal Protective Equipment: OSHA Guidance	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:49 pm This publication from OSHA provides a general overview of personal protective equipment guidance….	View
9395	Pesticide Storage Concerns During and After a Flood	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:49 pm A resource about immediate actions to take after a storm when floodwaters or a storage facility could potentially be contaminated with…	View
8905	Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:52 pm The purpose of this manual is to provide healthcare professionals with current consensus recommendations for treating patients with pesticide-related illnesses or…	View
11964	What is Safety? Chemicals	“What is Safety? Chemicals” teaches the importance of staying safe while using, or being around, chemicals; whether that be on the farm or even in your house!	View
9866	Worker Protection Standards for Agricultural Establishments	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 01:02 pm This document describes the federal Worker Protection Standards for agricultural establishments….	View

Webinars

Webinar Title	Summary	Link
Anhydrous Ammonia Safety for Farmworkers (February 24, 2022)	Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 12:16 pm Summary: Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an effective nitrogen crop fertilizer used throughout the Midwest and beyond. Anhydrous ammonia is potentially dangerous,…	Watch
Best Practices in the Detection and Monitoring of Pesticide Exposure	Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 11:25 am This webinar discusses cholinesterase testing and monitoring protocols based on programs from both California and Washington. View this webinar to learn…	Watch

Websites

• Safe Handling of Pesticides on the Farm
• Youth in Agriculture: Chemicals and Pesticides

Page updated: July 2021