What's New?

For 2009, we continue with the Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual copyright 2006 plus a SPRING UPDATE.

Spring Update:

The Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual has been updated as a result of the Pesticides Act and Regulation 63/09 being amended by the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008.  The Pesticides Act and Regulation 63/09 took effect April 22, 2009.  Refer to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's web site: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php

Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual ©2006

You will find new information in your Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual since you last certified. Take the time to review the Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual©2006.


How Pesticides are Regulated
The new Pest Control Products Act came into force June 28, 2006. Reference page 2.

The Pesticide Label 
Look for Buffer Zone statements on labels that refer to "sensitive terrestrial habitats" and "sensitive freshwater habitats".  The buffer zone is the distance between the point of direct application of the pesticide and the closest downwind edge of an area sensitive to the pesticide.  You will find information about buffer zones in the "Directions for Use" section of the label. Reference page 36.

Managing Pest Resistance
Site of Action is the term that describes the way the pesticide works to control the pest.  The term Mode of Action is also used to describe this.  Reference page 69.

Health Risks of Pesticide Use
The dangers of pesticide exposure are not limited to the person who handles or applies the pesticide.  Prevent "Take Home" exposure.  Reference page 106.

First Aid 
If a pesticide is swallowed, always telephone the Poison Information Centre before you induce vomiting, regardless of the instructions on the label.  Reference page 126.

Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
Always wear a water repellent hat such as a hard hat, hood, or wide brimmed rain hat, as well as coveralls, gloves and boots when handling pesticides.  Reference page 135.

First thing to do when cleaning up -- Wash the outside of you chemical resistant gloves with warm soapy water before you remove your protective clothing and personal protective equipment.  Reference page 144

Transportation of Pesticides 
A video (DVD or VHS) is available which describes the safe and proper ways farmers should transport pesticides in Ontario.  You must follow some additional procedures when you transport a pesticide classified as a dangerous good.  Reference page 149.

How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely 
Dispose of empty used containers as soon as possible.  Never store anything in a container that used to hold pesticides.  Punch a hole in the container so that it cannot be used. 

If you cannot find any way to use a pesticide product as shown on the label, then the Ontario Ministry of the Environment requires that this waste be disposed of by licensed waste haulers and taken to a licensed Waste Disposal Site. Look in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under Liquid Waste Removal.  

Cleaning Application Equipment 
Some farmers in Ontario have suffered significant yield losses due to inadequate sprayer clean out procedures.  For example, this can happen when you use a sprayer to apply a Group 2 herbicide to corn and you don't clean it out properly before you use the same sprayer to apply a fungicide to wheat.  Reference page 177

Why, When and How should you clean out your sprayer?  Check for this information in your manual. 

Keeping Pesticide Records 
A sample form is included in this section of the manual outlining the information that you should record when you apply a pesticide. Reference page 254