Questions to Consider

Suggested Best Management Practices - BMPs

Have you considered the following general practices for pesticide use?

Use pesticides and other agricultural chemicals only when necessary.

Prepare only as much pesticide as is needed to be effective.

Consider developing an incident response plan for dealing with pesticide spills (incidents) quickly and effectively. A plan describes the pesticide storage, handling, disposal, and incident response practices at a given location.

Always read and follow all product label directions and precautions appearing on or included with pesticide containers. Read and follow local, state, and federal regulations regarding pesticide storage, handling and application procedures.

Federal regulations can be found on product labels. Always abide by the most restrictive requirements.

Have you considered the following good housekeeping practices?

Clean up all spills or leaks immediately.

Consider maintaining spill-kits and instruct all employees in the proper use and location of the spill-kits.

Cabinet with spill response materials.

Keep processing areas organized and free from clutter.

Prevent releases of contaminants through equipment maintenance or inspection.

Prohibit the mixing of hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste.

To reduce spills use spigots, pumps, and funnels when dispensing or transferring liquids to and from storage containers.

Keep chemicals in safety cans or covered containers between uses to reduce evaporation, spills and contamination.

Label transfer containers with contents and date.

YOUR IDEAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

SEE THE TOOLBOX INTRODUCTION ON WAYS TO START YOUR P2 PLAN. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND POLLUTION FROM HAPPENING AT YOUR BUSINESS. IF A SPILL HAPPENS ANYWAY, YOU MUST BE IMPLEMENTING A POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DEQ’S VOLUNTARY REMEDIATION PROGRAM.