Michigan State University Pesticide Safety Education Program
Jan 15, 2016
Michigan State University
Pesticide Safety Education Program
Pesticide Storage And
Handling
Larry G. Olsen and Robert H. Wilkinson
Michigan State University
Consider Soil and Land Characteristics When Constructing a Facility
Livestock Barn
New Mixing & Storage Site
Runoff Pond
House
Well
Farm Shop
Grain Cleaning and Storage
Machinery Shop
North
Winter Prevailing Wind NW
SW Summer Prevailing Wind
Minimum Recommended Distance From Loading Pad and Storage Area:
200 ft - House and Surface Water
150 ft – Private Well
50 ft - Fuel Storage and Public Road
25 ft - Property Line and Pressurized Water Line
A Separate Building for Storage is Preferred
Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials
Seal the Floor of the Facility
Floor Curbing
Floor Drains
Exhaust Fans
• Ventilate the Area
Exhaust Fan for
Ventilation and
Temperature Control
Provide a Separate Heat Source
Explosion-Proof Electrical Fixtures May Be Required
Chemical Flash Points
Use LocalBuilding Codes
Store Pesticides in a Locked, Secure
Place
Use Metal Storage Shelves
Provide Some Secondary
Containment
NFPA-30And
NFPA-395
Consult Labels for Special Storage
Instructions
Separate Pesticide By Group
•Herbicides
•Insecticides, Fungicides, etc.
Do Not Store Pesticides With:
•Food•Feed•Potable Water•Seeds•Protective Equipment
Never Place Pesticide Containers in
Windows
Store Pesticides in Original Containers
•Never Repackage Pesticides
•Always Keep the Label Fixed to the Container
Keep Pesticides Out of Reach of Children, Pets, Livestock and Irresponsible People
Mark Containers with the
Date of Purchase
Have a Clean Up Kit Readily Available
Loading Pad
•Keep Clean
•Containment Barrier
Have a Chemical Approved Fire Extinguisher
Clean Up Requires
•Sink•Shower•Eye Wash
Keep a List of Emergency Phone Numbers Readily
Available
Give the Local Fire Department and
Emergency Response Coordinator a List of
Materials, Quantity and Floor Plan of Storage
Facility
The Information in this slide set has been taken from the MWPS-
37, “Designing Facilities for Pesticide and Fertilizer
Containment.”