Sheep Dusting and Spraying- Safety Precautions

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 99, Issue 5, 16 November 1959, Page 469

Sheep Dusting and SprayingSafety Precautions

JOINT STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE AND HEALTH

IN the treatment of sheep with dieldrin or aldrin 1 for external parasite control, any risk to the operator of poisoning can be almost entirely eliminated by the adoption of recommended safety precautions. The insecticides dieldrin or aldrin can prove poisonous to man if absorbed in sufficient quantity. The materials can enter the body via the mouth and the nose, but in practice the greatest risk is by absorption through the skin.

The amount absorbed depends on The area of skin that is exposed The concentration of the insecticide in the material touching the skin The frequency of exposure The length of time that the skin remains contaminated The hazards are greatest for contractors who are exposed to the insecticides frequently. For farmers who are exposed only once or twice a year the risk of poisoning is much less. Respirators There are a number of suitable respirators available for this type of operation. Those which are approved by the Department of Health are listed in their occupational health bulletin “Notes on Agricultural Respirators”, copies of which are available on application to the Medical Officers of Health. Symptoms of Poisoning The symptoms of poisoning by dieldrin and aldrin include headache, giddiness, loss of appetite, vomiting, and general malaise. Operators who experience these early warning symptoms should obtain medical advice, because if the early symptoms are ignored, more severe effects such as convulsions may develop Symptoms similar to those mentioned may arise from causes other than insecticide intoxication and therefore medical. attention should be ’ sought without delay so that a correct diagnosis may be made Dieldrin and aldrin are absorbed by and stored in the body fat. A decrease in weight many months after use can cause release of the chemicals into the system with resultant symptoms

Danger to Children Children are very much more susceptible than adults and must be kept away from the vicinity of operations. Farmers Farmers should observe the following precautions. 1 Arrange the machine ,so that the operator can stand upwind from the race. 2 Wear dustproof or waterproof headgear and an approved respirator when exposure to dust or spray is unavoidable. 3 Wear overalls, which must be washed in hot water with soap or detergent every day after use. 4 Wash hands thoroughly after each mob has been treated, as absorption may be increased when the operator is perspiring. 5 Wash completely as soon as possible after the operation has been completed or at the end of each day’s run. 6 Water and soap should be available on the job so that hands can be washed before eating or smoking. 7 Dust and liquid concentrate should not be allowed to come in contact with the skin. Rubber or plastic gloves should be worn and care should be taken that the insides of the

gloves are not contaminated. If liquid concentrate is accidentally spilt on the hands, they should be washed. Clothing contaminated with concentrate should be changed immediately. Contractors The increased exposure to the insecticides experienced by contractors demands the adoption of additional precautions to those necessary for farmers, who are exposed only at less frequent intervals. 1 Full-length overalls should be worn. These should be washed after each day’s work in warm water with soap or detergent and they should be dry cleaned periodically. Opennecked garments should be kept buttoned. 2 Goggles should be worn in addition to a respirator. . . 3 Headgear must be worn and a broad-brimmed hat is preferable to a beret, as this gives added protection to the exposed skin of the face and neck. 4 Where practicable, work may be restricted to the early morning, or late afternoon to avoid working during the hot part of the day, when protective clothing might be extremely uncomfortable. It is stressed that these precautions should be rigidly adhered to, as small amounts of insecticide can accumulate in the body after each exposure and it is excreted very slowly.