The Philippines, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
RULE
1950
PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS
Source:
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (As Amended).
Bureau of Working Conditions, Department of Labour and
Employment, Manila, Philippines. Second Publication, as amended,
1990. Copyright Reserved per P.D. 49
RULE 1950
1951 : Scope:
This rule shall apply to all agricultural and industrial
enterprises, as defined in Rule 1002 in which these chemicals are
used or manufactured.
1952 : Definitions:
(1) "Pesticides" shall mean any substance or product, or
mixture thereof, including active ingredients,
adjuvants
and pesticides formulations, intended to control,
prevent,
destroy, repel or mitigate directly any pest. The term
shall be understood to include insecticides, fungicide,
bactericide, nematocide, herbicide, molluscoid, avicide,
rodenticide, plant regulator, defoliant, dessicant and
the
like.
(2) "Pesticide residues" shall mean the quantity of the
original active or its biologically
active-transformation
product which remain on a substance after weathering
factors have taken effect.
(3) "Fertilizers" shall mean any substance solid or liquid or
any nutrient element or elements-organic or inorganic-
singly or in combination with other materials, applied
directly to the soil or to the plant for the purpose of
promoting plant growth, increasing crop yield or
improving
their quality.
(4) "Harmful fertilizers" are those which are infectious,
irritating, toxic and flammable.
(5) "Agricultural pesticides" shall refer to pesticides which
are to be used in agriculture.
(6) "Household pesticides" shall refer to pesticides as used
for the control of pests found in places of human
habitation, work and recreation e.g. flies, mosquitoes,
cockroaches, ants, rodents. These shall include
pesticide
used for the control of pests in home, yards and
gardens.
(7) "Structural pesticides" shall refer to pesticides as used
in the control of pest in the following areas and which
are
to be applied only by FPA certified pesticide
applicators.
a. Homes-including but not limited to private homes, hotels,
condominiums and sub-divisions.
b. Buildings-including but not limited to schools, and
hospitals, food factories and other food handling
establishments, commercial buildings, bodegas, storage
and
warehouses, building under construction and handicraft
factories.
c. Lumber yards and other treating processing plant.
d. Other facilities engaged in the protection of stored,
processed or manufactured product.
(8) "Organic fertilizers" refer to any product whose basic
ingredients are of plants and/or animal origin that
have
been decomposed biologically or chemically or through
any;
other process and which can support solid and plant
needs.
(9) "Mineral fertilizers" are the products produced either
synthetically or by the treatment of naturally
occurring
mineral.
(10) "Naturally occurring fertilizers" shall include guano, rock
phosphate, limestone, dolomite, pest and gypsum,
sulfure
deposit and others that are found in nature, mined and
used
as fertilizer raw materials.
1953 : General Provisions:
1953.01:
Pesticides and fertilizers shall be handled and used only by
persons thoroughly instructed in their use, the handling hazards
and the precautions that shall be taken to avoid such hazards.
1953.02:
Persons working with pesticides and fertilizers shall have
pre-employment and periodic examinations as provided under Rule
1960.
1953.03:
Persons handling pesticides and fertilizers which react strongly
to alcohol, shall abstain from alcoholic drinks at least ten
hours before at least twelve hours after any work or operation
where these substances are used or applied.
1953.04:
All containers of pesticides and fertilizers shall state on the
label:
(1) Product information
(2) Directions for use
(3) Direction for storage and disposal
(4) Safety precautions, whenever applicable
(5) First aid measures, whenever applicable
(6) Physician's information and treatment
1954 : Pesticides:
1954.01 : Handling:
(1) The precautions stated in the label before handling or
using any pesticides shall be followed:
a. Pesticides shall be applied only as directed in the amount
and in the manner specified in the label.
b. Protective clothing and other protective equipment such as
gloves, masks, boots, etc. as indicated in the label
shall
be used.
c. Smoking, drinking, or eating while handling pesticides is
prohibited. Hands, face or the whole body shall be
washed
thoroughly before smoking, drinking, eating and
attending
to personal needs.
d. Pesticides spilled on the skin and clothing shall be
immediately washed thoroughly with clean running water.
Spillage at the working area shall be immediately
decontaminated prior to proper disposal.
e. Persons using agricultural pesticides shall spray or apply
these in the windward direction.
f. Whenever pesticides are applied, entry shall be allowed
only after a specified time and when properly
protected.
g. Agricultural pesticides shall be applied in such a manner
that lakes, canals, rivers, or thickly populated places
are
not polluted.
h. Workers using pesticides shall not blow out blocked spray
pipes or nozzles with the mouth.
(2) Adequate ventilation shall be provided in areas where
pesticides are poured, mixed or transferred from one
container to another.
(3) Equipment used in pesticide manufacture, formulation,
repacking and application shall be adequately
maintained to
avoid leakage or contamination of workers.
(4) In the transport of pesticides, the following precautions
shall be observed:
a. Only safe and appropriate containers shall be used.
b. Pesticide shall be separated from other cargoes during
transport.
c. Leaks or mutilated containers shall be checked during and
after transporting pesticide to prevent contamination
of
cargo, vegetation and waterways.
d. Pesticides shall not be borne directly on the back of
workers or work animals.
e. Spilled pesticides shall be decontaminated immediately
prior to proper disposal
1954.02 : Storage:
(1) Pesticides shall be stored in original container tightly
closed.
(2) The precaution listed in the label shall be followed for
the storage of each compound.
(3) Pesticides shall be stored in coot dry, and well ventilated
places not accessible to children, animals and
unauthorized
persons.
(4) Pesticides shall be stored away from food and foodstuff.
(5) Volatile pesticides shall always be stored separately from
other pesticides to avoid cross contamination and shall
always be stored in an unrestricted atmosphere.
(6) Smoking, eating or drinking in the pesticides area is
prohibited.
1955 : Fertilizers:
1955.01 : Handling:
The following rules shall be observed in the handling of
agricultural chemicals:
(1) Fertilizers shall not be left unattended to when not in
use;
(2) Fertilizers shall be prepared by mechanical means in closed
vessels. However, if closed mechanical preparation is
impracticable:
a. Tall vessels and long handled implements shall be used to
reduce the risk of splashing;
b. Vessels shall not be fully filled to avoid splashing.
(3) Unbreakable vessels shall be used in the preparation of
toxic fertilizers.
(4) Protective clothing, like boots, gloves, goggles and face
shield shall be used when mixing, diluting, spraying or
spreading toxic fertilizers.
(5) Spillage of fertilizers and contamination shall be
prevented. Spillage shall be thoroughly cleaned
immediately.
(6) Whenever practicable, apply toxic fertilizers by mechanical
means.
(7) Immediately after spraying toxic fertilizers in a
greenhouse, the employers shall:
a. require all persons entering the greenhouse to be oroperly
protected;
b. post notices on all gates of the greenhouse stating how
long the area is to remain closed before entry of
persons
without proper protection is allowed.
(8) Workers using toxic fertilizers shall not:
a. blow out blocked spray pipes or nozzle with the mouth;
b. spray or spread fertilizers against the direction of the
wind.
(9) Decontaminate the exterior of all tanks and containers in
which toxic fertilizers are stored.
(10) Securely close the opening of all tanks and containers in
which toxic fertilizers are kept.
(11) Tanks and pipings shall:
a. be regularly checked for damage and
b. be provided with stop valves or other devices that can
effectively prevent or limit the escape of the
substance.
(12) Fertilizers shall be transported only in suitable vehicles
to ensure protection to the driver and other users of
the
vehicles.
(13) Handling of organic fertilizers shall be by mechanical
means to minimize direct contact with such fertilizers
or
in the absence of mechanical means, proper protection
during handling shall be required.
(14) Personal protective equipment shall be provided to, and use
by workers applying mineral fertilizers.
1955.02 : Storage:
(1) Storage place for fertilizers shall be well lighted to
facilitate easy identification of chemicals.
(2) Storage building shall be sound, weather-proof, water-tight
and fire-resistant.
(3) Storage rooms or buildings shall be locked to prevent entry
of unauthorized persons or animals.
(4) Fertilizers shall be stored separately from other material
and in particular; away from food and feeding stuff.
(5) Fertilizers of different kinds shall be stored separately
in sacks or containers on skids or platform and kept
away
from walls and combustible materials.
(6) Transfer nitrate from bags and wooden barrels to
incombustible bins. Empty bags and barrel shall be
thoroughly washed after each use.
(7) Sodium chlorides shall be stored in metal containers.
(8) Aqua ammonia shall be stored in a cast iron or mild steel
tank designed with a working pressure of 7 kg./cm2.
(9) Anhydrous ammonia shall be transported and stored in
pressure containers designed with a working pressure of
18.65 kg./cm2 g (265 psig). Storage tanks shall have no
brass and copper fittings.
(10) Anhydrous ammonia tanks shall be provided with pressure
relief valves on the pipe lines and bleed valves in the
hoses.
(11) Tanks for anhydrous ammonia shall:
a. be situated at a safe distance from other buildings, fite
hazard and traffic;
b. be protected against solar heat and mechanical damage, and
c. not more than four-fifths (4/5) full.
(12) Organic fertilizer shall be stored in open and well
ventilated areas.
(13) Fertilizers stored in containers other than those provided
by the manufacturer shall be clearly labelled with the
name
of the substance and marked with proper symbols.
1955.03 : Hygiene:
(1) The employer shall provide his workers with necessary
protective clothing and equipment maintained in good
condition.
(2) Workers handling pesticides and harmful fertilizers shall
be instructed not to eat, drink or smoke unless:
a. they have removed their protective clothing;
b. they have washed their hands and face; and
c. they are in the area for eating purposes.
(3) Workers handling pesticides and harmful fertilizers shall:
a. deposit their personal or street clothing in rooms provided
for the purpose;
b. remove all protective clothing and equipment at the end of
each day's work and deposit them in specified
decontaminating containers provided for the
purpose;
c. wash hands, face and neck or take a shower if pesticides/
harmful fertilizers was used or handled.
(4) Protective clothing shall be laundered or otherwise
thoroughly cleaned at least once a week or more
frequently,
depending upon the degree of the contamination and the
material or substance used.
(5) Workers shall thoroughly wash gloves after every use.
(6) Workers may be vaccinated to give them active immunity.
Sera and medicaments may be taken as passive defense
measures.
(7) Workers exposed to prolonged contact with natural
fertilizers shall be subjected to regular medical
examination.
1957 : Disposal of Unwanted Materials:
(1) Waste of harmful pesticides, empty cases, boxes, bottles,
and other containers shall be:
a. returned to the supplier, if practicable;
b. buried deep in the earth away from springs and other water
sources;
c. burned in such a way that persons cannot be endangered by
the smoke and other products of combustions.
(2) Pesticides or empty containers shall not be left lying
about in the fields, yards, and other open areas, and
shall
not be thrown into the ponds, streams or drains.
(3) Pesticides that have not lost their potency shall be
destroyed. The competent authority shall be consulted
on
the proper disposal of large quantities of these
substances.
The International Labour Organization is a United Nations specialized agency.