CESM - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF HERBICIDES

Transcription

1 CE/CESM CESM - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF HERBICIDES PART E.14

2 ~ BrtUshRail Sheet 1 of 5 This CESM Part supersedes that dated OCT 1988 and contains the following Sections: Introduction Weedspraying Trains Manual Application Protective Equipment and Precautions Storage of Herbicides Disposal and Cleaning Use of Herbicides by Contractors Further Advice INTRODUCTION (d) This CESM Part gives information on the safety precautions to be taken when herbicides are used and enables the person in charge to comply with the Control of Pesticides Regulations made under the Food & Environmental Protection Act and the Code of Practice on the Agricultural and Horticultural Use of Pesticides. The effective use of herbicides on the track, lineside slopes and structures ensures that weeds are killed and that the growth rate of most plants is restricted each year, thereby reducing the need for major scrub clearance. Misuse of herbicides creates a range of hazards including irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and mouth. Some are flammable and some have toxic effects. Only herbicides on the British Rail Approved List (published annually) may be used and then strictly in accordance with the Safety Data Sheets (BR 2307) and the Manufacturer s instructions. (e) More stringent requirements than those contained in this CESM Part are required when herbicides in excess of 200 litres/200kg are stored at one location (see 14.5). (f) Further information on the use of herbicides is contained in the Civil Engineering Department Handbook No. 43: The Management of Lineside Vegetation. 3011/7640k/42

3 Sheet 2 of WEEDSPRAYING TRAINS The running of weedspraying trains on lines being treated with herbicides is published in the Special Traffic Notices and the person in charge of work must ensure that adequate warning of approaching trains is provided to enable all persons to stand well clear. Staff accompanying weedspraying trains should ensure that the spraying operation is stopped when passing platforms, persons standing near the line, gardens near the line, open water and watercourses MANUAL APPLICATION Areas of the track missed by weedspraying trains, sidings and other areas that need to be kept weed free are treated by using hand held sprayers or by spreading granules. Hand spraying may only be carried out if: - The Operator has had the appropriate training. - The Operator has a Certificate of Competence issued by the Approved External Body in the use of the equipment if the person was born after 3 December The appropriate equipment working order. is available for use and is in good - The Operator is aware of the herbicide to be used, how to carry out the spraying safely, the precautions to be taken and be in possession of the COSHH assessment for the type of herbicide being used. - A record is kept of all hand spray operations. - One herbicide is not mixed with another. Hand spraying using water diluted herbicides is more likely to cause spray drift than the coarse spray from a weedspraying train. Hand spraying should not be carried out in high winds, in very hot weather or during the passage of trains. (d) Battery operated hand held applicators with a backpack or similar equipment using concentrated herbicides produces a spray with minimal drift. (e) The handling and use of herbicides supplied in soluble bags placed directly into a spray appliance must be in accordance with the Manufacturer s instruction. (f) Sodium chlorate based dusting powders used for treating thin strips (eg. between paving slabs) must not be used in wet or windy weather or in areas where there is a fire risk. 3011/7640k/43

4 Sheet 3 of PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND PRECAUTIONS (d) The person in charge of work must ensure that each Operator has been issued with the specified personal protective equipment and that it is being used correctly. Polythene or PVC protective gloves (CESM Part H.8) must be worn when handling concentrates. Additionally, if the concentrate is a liquid, goggles (see CESM Part H.2) must also be worn. The particular herbicide concentrate used in stump treatment requires that the operator must wear a face visor (see CESM Part H.2). Provided other staff in the vicinity are not affected except by an occasional spray drift, there is no need for them to wear the same personal protective equipment as the Operator. They must, however, remain well clear of the area being treated and take the same hygiene precautions as the Operator (see 14.6.(e)). (e) (f) There is no significant health risk if staff are splashed by the diluted spray from a passing weedspraying train, or when they handle materials or equipment wetted by the spray, but as a normal precaution at the first opportunity after spraying or contamination and in any case before eating, drinking or smoking, hands and exposed skin must be washed. Smoking is prohibited whilst herbicides are being handled or sprayed. (g) (h) (i) Containers should be inspected to ensure they are not leaking. They should be handled and stacked securely for transit. Contamination of the skin or eyes by concentrated herbicides must be washed off immediately and medical advice sought as soon as possible, if the irritation continues. An eye irrigation bottle must be available on site (CESM Part A.1O.2 - First Aid). If a herbicide is accidentally swallowed medical advice must be sought without delay STORAGE OF HERBICIDES Herbicides must be materials. Partly closed tightly. stored filled away from food, drink and cleaning containers of undiluted herbicide must be Concentrated herbicides must never be stored in unmarked or incorrect containers, or in bottles. Herbicides must only be issued to staff who have had the appropriate training in its safe use and handling. See /7640k/44

5 Sheet 4 of STORAGE OF HERBICIDES (Contd) (d) Herbicides containing sodium chlorate can create a fire hazard. Where less than 10kg of sodium chlorate is held this may be kept within the approved store, provided it is stored in its own fire resistant dry container and is separated from other herbicides. Amounts greater than 10kg should be stored separately in accordance with HSE Guidance Note CS3 Storage and use of Sodium Chlorate. (e) (f) (g) Up to 200 litres/200 kg of herbicide may be stored in a lockable metal container. Any structure used for the storage of herbicide containers must be: robust, dry, well ventilated and afford protection against frost damage; constructed and sited so that seepage to a watercourse cannot occur and people living or working nearby will not be affected; secure and provided with the appropriate warning signs in accordance with the Safety Signs Regulations to indicate that herbicides are stored inside; capable of containing any leak up to the total capacity stored. Above 200 litres/200 kg of herbicide, stores must comply with the more stringent requirements of the HSE Guidance Note CS19 Storage of Approved Pesticides: Guidance for Farmers and Other Professional Users Herbicides must be stored systematically with bagged or boxed powders and granules stacked on pallets from floor level. Liquids or other small containers must be stacked off the floor on shelves or racks DISPOSAL AND CLEANING After use any excess diluted herbicide must not be tipped on the ground, into or anywhere near open water and watercourses. It should be used to spray an additional area, or if this is not feasible by respraying as large an area as possible. Empty liquid concentrate containers must be thoroughly rinsed out at least twice, adding rinsings to the spray tank or spreading over the sprayed area. Puncture containers and flatten if possible. Al 1 packaging should be emptied completely. Return to Stores for approved methods of disposal by Local Authority or Waste Disposal Contractor. Herbicide containers or packaging must not be burnt. 3011/7640k/45

6 MonthIYear JAN 1992 Sheet 5 of 5 DISPOSAL AND CLEANING (Contd) (d) Spray equipment must be flushed out thoroughly after use and the waste material sprayed over a treated area or drained into a soil soakaway. (e) Protective clothing, hands and any other contaminated part of the body must be thoroughly washed after applying or handling herbicides and the disposal of containers and packaging. USE OF HERBICIDES BY CONTRACTORS Contractors are responsible for the safety of their staff using herbicides and for all the effects thereof. The Board's representative supervising the work must draw the attention of the Contractor to any shortcomings in the safe method of working. If the Board's representative considers that the method of work could cause adverse effects the work must be stopped. FURTHER ADVICE may be obtained through normal managerial channels, from Safety Data Sheets BR 2307 and from Safety Engineers. Signatures removed from electronic version J S CORNELL (CEC Min. 91/55 and DoCE letter 12 August 1991 DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING principles apply)