BAE-1012
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Pesticide and Fertilizer
Facility Operations
Checklist
Ronald T. Noyes, P.E.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
Extension Agricultural Engineer Oklahoma State University
are also available on our website at:
http://osufacts.okstate.edu
Dennis R. Gardisser, P.E.
Extension Agricultural Engineer University of Arkansas
Dennis K. Kuhlman, P.E. 鈥? Keep a spill cleanup kit near the mixing/loading area.
Extension Agricultural Engineer Kansas State University Use loose absorbent materials when possible to simplify
disposal. Loose contaminated materials can be reapplied
The following checklist is a guide to help assess the en- at or below label rates to listed targets.
vironmental integrity and functional operation of an existing 鈥? Clean up pesticide leaks or spills immediately.
or planned pesticide or fertilizer facility. While reviewing the 鈥? Clean mixing, loading and storage areas after each use.
facility, identify areas that should be improved. Completing
鈥? Place a plastic bucket, pan or other collection container
a thorough analysis using this checklist will help become a
under all hose connections to keep pesticides or fertilizers
responsible environmental steward. These management rec-
from dripping on the pad.
ommendations list some items required by law and others that
鈥? Inspect tanks monthly for cracks, leaks, sludge, and rust.
are considered Best Management Practices (BMP鈥檚). Check
鈥? Cover sumps when not in use to keep out trash and dirt.
the items that one is currently doing. Circle those items that
鈥? Use collected storm water as make-up water or pump
still need attention.
out if pad is clean.
鈥? Use dry-break connectors on those hoses used fre-
Housekeeping quently.
鈥? Mix only the amount of pesticide needed.
The appearance of an operation is a direct reflection
鈥? Segregate rinse water by crop so that it can be used as
of theprofessional business management to customers,
neighbors, the general public, and regulatory officials. Good mix water in the future.
鈥? Store pressure-rinsed or triple-rinsed containers in a dry,
housekeeping creates a positive impression while disorga-
nized, unclean, or generally sloppy appearances may indicate secure area until ready for disposal.
potential problem areas.
Mediium sized pesticide storagte, containment, and mixing/loading facility perspective.
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources 鈥? Oklahoma State University
鈥? 鈥?
Rinse container caps and wash the outsides of containers If the pesticide containment area is outside, develop plans
to remove pesticide residues. to roof the storage and mixing/loading pads to eliminate
storm water accumulation.
Storage and Handling 鈥? Design open sided roof structures with poles set beyond
Prevention of air, surface, and ground water contamina- the pad. Roofs should provide a 30 degree overhang from
tion should be a high priority during the operation of a storage the roof edge to the edge of the pad to minimize storm
and handling facility.
water from blowing in. Add side and end wall panels
鈥? Use closed transfer systems for worker safety when along the roof support poles during the off-season to
handling pesticides.
keep storm water out.
鈥? Store pesticides and fertilizers in separate containments 鈥? Design roofed containment areas to hold at least 110
as required by law.
percent of the largest tank volume, plus the volume
鈥? Post the correct warning and hazard signs in storage displaced by all other tanks and equipment.
facilities.
鈥? Design containment areas not under roof to hold 125
鈥? Place fire extinguishers near storage entrances. Check percent of the volume of the largest tank, the base vol-
extinguishers every six months for proper charge.
ume of all tanks in the containment area, freeboard (six
鈥? Store dry pesticides above liquid pesticides, or store inches minimum), and rainfall amounts as prescribed by
separately.
state regulations (usually a 25-year storm. See MWPS-37
鈥? Use metal shelving with a front retainer lip on each Handbook for 25-year storm figure).
shelf.
鈥? Locate all transfer pumps, pipes, hoses, and valves above
鈥? Provide an inventory of each type and quantity of all ground in a containment structure for easy inspection.
chemicals to the local fire department and Local Emer-
Install pumps and electrical equipment above the contain-
gency Planning Committee (LEPC). Update the inventory
ment liquid level for safety.
when significant changes in quantity or type of chemical
鈥? Do not run piping through walls or dikes.
are made.
鈥? Check the tank storage area for leaks and spills daily
鈥? File a detailed diagram of storage inventory and Mate- during the application season, then bi-weekly during the
rial Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) locations with local fire
off-season.
fighting personnel and police.
鈥? Document primary inspection factors (time, date, place,
鈥? Manually operate all containment pumps unless autho- conditions, inspector, etc.) in a permanent log book.
rized otherwise by state regulation.
鈥? Repair leaks and clean contaminated pads immediately.
鈥? Place each small volume container (up to five gallons) Chemicals damage concrete or steel surface coatings or
in a separate compatible containment after opening or
the concrete or steel rapidly.
when storing for more than one year.
鈥? Clean up spills and dispose of the waste immediately.
鈥? Use tarps, plastic sheeting, or catch pans under fertilizer Unprotected concrete absorbs volatile pesticides within
conveyor transfer points to contain leaks and spills.
seconds. Fertilizer corrodes unprotected steel quickly.
鈥? Keep all pesticide containers sealed. 鈥? Equip containment pad with a small collection sump
(5-10 gallon cylindrical stainless steel sump preferred),
Dry Fertilizer pumping system, and holding tanks.
鈥? Do not construct sumps with underground piping.
Fertilizers and pesticides must be stored in separate
鈥? Place pesticide mini-bulk tanks in a storage containment
containment areas by law.
鈥? Store all fertilizer products under roof. area to avoid accidental run-off or drainage from leaks.
鈥?
鈥? Divert storm water away from the fertilizer storage Keep all packaged and bulk chemicals inside a secure
(locked) building designed with at least 6-inch depth
area.
鈥? Collect contaminated rainwater inside the containment internal containment and an impermeable floor to hold
water or other chemicals used in fire extinguishing.
aea and apply as make-up water.
鈥? Recover and use spilled products immediately.
鈥? Contain and use fugitive dust from storage and transfer Mixing-Loading Areas
areas on appropriate sites.
Mixing/loading areas should be equipped for personnel
鈥? Place dry fertilizer storage and handling areas inside safety and protection of the containment pad against drips
water-tight containment diking. and leaks. Mixing/loading areas can be in a separate contain-
ment area,or on a containment pad with stored products and
Pesticides rinsates.
鈥? Mix/load areas must have emergency eye wash and
All pesticides must be stored in a separate area isolated
shower facilities. Freeze protection plumbing should be
from animal feed, grain, fertilizer, or other materials to prevent
used in freezing climates.
possible contamination.
鈥? Ventilate enclosed mixing areas with at least six air
鈥? Keep flammable or combustible materials segregated
changes per hour for pesticide handling. Use fume ex-
from all ignition sources.
鈥? Store all bulk chemicals under roof inside a diked, im- haust hoods over mixing tables or sinks.
鈥? Display hazardous chemicals, non-smoking signs and
permeable containment area.
鈥? Keep storage area locked. other appropriate signs prominently at all building en-
鈥? Pump clean rainwater from containment area or collect trances and exits.
鈥? Label all product and rinsate storage by content.
and store rainwater from diked areas for future applica-
tions.
1012-2
鈥? considered hazardous waste according to state and federal
Place mixing and transfer tanks and pump systems within
regulations, and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
a containment area that includes a small sump (5-10 gal-
lon) without a drain.
鈥? Fuel Storage
Design mix/load pad containment systems to handle 110
percent of the volume of the largest transport truck or ap- Fuel must be stored in a separate containment from
plicator vehicle if under roof, or 125 percent plus volumes pesticide and fertilizer storage containment areas. Fuels are
displaced by equipment and tank bases, and freeboard highly flammable and increase fire risk damage. Fuel should
if not roofed. not be stored close to pesticide and fertilizer storage.
鈥? 鈥? Instruct employees not to smoke or eat while handling fuels.
Transfer or load all products over a containment pad built
鈥? Locate all new fuel tanks above-ground in separate
with a small (5-10 gallon) collection sump. Do not run
piping through walls and dikes. fuel containments, at least 100 feet from pesticide stor-
鈥? Pesticide and fertilizer products can be handled using age buildings.
鈥? Equip all new, underground petroleum tanks with leak de-
mix/load equipment in a common containment area.
鈥? Pesticides must be stored separate from fertilizer andall tection, monitoring and corrosion protection systems.
鈥? Document design specifications and periodic fuel volume
other products.
reconciliation. Maintain these documents in a permanent
Rinsate and Wastewater Handling and file as required by state and federal regulations.
鈥? All underground storage tanks should be registered,
Reuse management procedures documented, and records
Immediate reuse of rinsates on label target sites or in- maintained according to state and federal laws.
鈥? Protect fuel and chemical product tanks, piping, and
tended crops is good management. Mixed rinsates that can
not legally be applied according to the pesticide labels are dispensers from vehicle collision damage using structural
considered hazardous waste. fencing or guard posts.
鈥? If possible, rinse spray equipment at spray sites. 鈥? Post appropriate National Fire Protection Association
鈥? Thoroughly clean rinsate tanks used for different crops (NFPA) 鈥淔uel Warning鈥? and 鈥淣o Smoking鈥? signs or plac-
or non-compatible chemicals. ards at fuel storage facilities.
鈥? Wash sprayer exteriors in the field to eliminate contami- 鈥? Place fire extinguishers near the fuel storage area.
nated mud cleanup on pad. Use different field locations to
wash vehicles each time to prevent concentration buildup
Site Security
in one location.
鈥? Do not run wastewater from mixing sinks or sumps into Good security measures are the best insurance against
problems resulting from accidental or intentional damage of
public sewer drains, storm sewers, or septic systems.
鈥? Septic systems with leach fields should never be used the facility and surrounding property by unauthorized person-
nel. A modest investment of resources and effort can prevent
for disposal of any liquid that may contain agrichemical
a substantial loss to the operation.
contaminants.
鈥? Install a security fence and lock all storage buildings as
鈥? Apply rinsate from rinsing plumbing/boom equipment
a means of preventing unauthorized property access.
while at the target site to avoid rinsing at the facility.
鈥? Install lighting in all product storage and handling areas.
鈥? If spray equipment is rinsed at the mix/load facility, collect
鈥? Provide automatic proximity sensor-activated security
and segregate rinsate in holding tanks marked for reuse
lights to protect workers and to minimize vandalism.
according to crop to avoid pesticide cross-contamina-
鈥? Lock all gates and doors when the facility is unattended
tion.
鈥? Clean mix/load pads before washing off spray equipment. or when areas are not occupied by employees.
鈥? Secure all valves (including site gauge valves) on bulk
Collect exterior rinsate and spray on an approved target,
product tanks with locks.
even though external rinse water has been defined as
鈥? Equip sight gauges on bulk storage tanks with bottom
non-hazardous. Clean pad immediately after washing
valves that are normally locked off.
down each time.
鈥? Lock out all containment area sump pumps.
鈥? Immediately apply liquids that are collected from m i x /
鈥? Seal off or eliminate containment drain lines.
load pad or storage containment sumps to an approved
鈥? Equip application equipment containing products stored
target (for the job the rinsate was generated from if practi-
overnight with locked discharge valves.
cal), or temporarily store it in above-ground tanks until it
can be used on another job requiring that chemical.
鈥? Use stored rinsate and storm water immediately in Personnel Hygiene and Safety
product mixes at one part rinsate to four parts clean Worker hygiene and safety must be a high priority at
water. pesticide facilities. Each worker who is required to handle
chemical products must be properly trained in how to handle
NOTE: Check product label before using rinsate for makeup chemicals and operate transfer or mixing equipment safely.
water for all products. Some pesticides, such as ROUNDUP, All workers must be able to read and understand label safety
may be neutralized within hours of mixing by hard water (high instructions. Specific training should include the following:
pH), dirty waste water and even dilute rinsate of the same 鈥? Instruct employees to wash hands thoroughly with soap
product.
and water before using the bathroom after handling
Rinsates which contain mixed chemicals that can not
pesticides, fertilizers, or fuels.
be legally applied (per label) to an appropriate target site are
1012-3
鈥? emergency response drills for continuing education unit
Instruct employees not to smoke, eat, or drink while
(CEU) credits.
handling pesticides, fertilizers, or fuels.
鈥?
鈥? Make sure your employees sign the appropriate form(s)
Annually train all employees in the proper use of personal
indicating they have attended hazardous material training
protective equipment (PPE) for chemical handling.
鈥? sessions and that they understand all applicable MSDS鈥檚.
Provide and use face shields or goggles, rubber aprons,
Maintain copies of in a permanent records file.
long-sleeved shirts, rubber gloves, boots, and other ap-
鈥? Develop and use a written emergency action plan that
propriate PPE when loading and mixing pesticides.
鈥? includes storage building contents and storage patterns,
Use closed transfer systems for all pesticide and fertilizer
site plans, emergency and accident procedures, hazard-
handling safety.
鈥? ous communications, emergency phone numbers, special
Use proper safety equipment, clothing, and laundry prac-
fire fighting procedures, fire fighting water runoff control,
tices to protect personnel and their families.
鈥? and locations of utility shut-offs.
Do not mix pesticide-contaminated clothing with family
clothing. Use a separate washer and dryer for pesticide-
SARA Title III Reporting
use clothing.
鈥? Use strong detergents and hot (140掳F) water for washing.
鈥? Maintain accurate inventory and production records.
Run empty washer with detergent and hot water cycle to
鈥? Organize and label product storage to facilitate Superfund
clean after washing contaminated clothing.
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III
鈥? Hang clothing outside in direct sunlight and wind to dry.
documentation.
鈥? Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous
鈥? File all notifications required under SARA Title III w i t h
materials (i.e. pesticides, ammonia, acids) used at the
the appropriate agencies. Check with the state pesticide
facility should be available for all workers; supply them
coordinator if you are unsure of all requirements.
to local fire department and LEPC.
鈥? Check to see if you are subject to Sections 311 and 302
鈥? Design office and non-storage areas with separate exit
(emergency response plan and notification) reporting
doors from pesticide storage rooms.
and if you are required to submit an Emergency and
鈥? Ventilate enclosed pesticide storage areas with at least
Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form (Tier I or Tier II
six air changes per hour using explosion proof electrical
forms) by October 17 of each year.
control wiring and fan motors.
鈥? Maintain copies of all required reports at the facility.
鈥? Locate emergency shower and eye flush fountains close
to chemical handling areas; an alarm should trigger when
Water Supply
used to alert others of an emergency.
鈥? Install a telephone with a list of emergency phone numbers Regardless of the facility water source, specific measures
near pesticide storage buildings and in your office. need to be taken to protect all area water supplies and water
鈥? sources from accidental contamination.
Do not store pesticides that must be hand lifted over 66
鈥? Do not mix or load chemicals within 50 feet of a water well,
inches above the floor.
鈥? or within 100 feet of a pond, lake, stream, or river.
Develop, practice, and maintain an emergency action
鈥? Protect on-site wells and other water sources against
plan for pesticide accidents and emergencies. Include
back-siphoning by using air gaps, approved back flow
local support groups (fire, police, EMT) so the entire
double check valves, or other approved anti-siphoning
community can be prepared for an emergency.
safety mechanisms.
鈥? Elevate and curb well heads to prevent spills or surface
Regulation Compliance Documentation
runoff from entering wells.
File and maintain written documentation of environmental 鈥? Analyze on-site well samples each year for the type of
compliance actions and activities to prove you are complying
chemicals handled at your facility.
with regulations.
鈥? Know the location of all private and public water supply
鈥? File construction, environmental, and other permits for wells near the facility (at least within one-half mile).
easy retrieval.
Much of this information is common sense. However, this
鈥? Review permit conditions semi-annually for compliance. checklist should make one more aware of his or her respon-
鈥? File underground storage tank registration, certification, sibilities and help protect him or her from liability and legal
and leak test results for easy retrieval. actions. This publication is not intended to be a complete
鈥? Make sure all pesticide licenses and certifications are listing, but simply a checklist of the more common items that
current. should be done.
鈥? Develop a schedule for renewing permits, licenses, cer- A well-prepared business and operational plan may mean
tifications, and other documents on time and keep them the difference in the business鈥檚 viability. Documentation
current. listed in this checklist is especially important. Often good
鈥? Document and maintain records of safety training, safety and complete documentation spells the difference between
and professional meeting subjects and attendance, and a violation, a warning, or praise.
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in
any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert E. Whitson, Director of Cooperative Exten-
sion Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director of
the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost of 20 cents per copy. 0507
BAE-1012-4
|