Only persons certified in the safe handling of pesticides will accept delivery of pesticides. County pesticide coordinators have available detailed information on the certification process.
Pesticides should not be brought into office areas. The receiver will immediately place or preferably have the deliverer place the pesticide(s) in proper storage (see Storing below). Each chemical received should be accompanied by the appropriate MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The data sheet should be placed in the "Hazardous Materials Safety Notebook" when transporting the pesticide. Never accept a broken or leaking container.
All pesticides will be stored in a separate locked building or in a locked well-ventilated room with outside ventilation. Persons will not work, smoke, eat, play, or otherwise congregate in any pesticide storage room.
In addition to the above policy, all storage requirements in the "North Carolina Pesticide Storage Regulations"--parts one and two--must be met.
All pesticides should be hauled in original overpackaging or sturdy, leakproof cases with appropriate packing and absorptive materials (such as surplus medical chests provided agents) to prevent breakage.
Danger and/or Restricted Use labeled pesticides must be tied down before transporting in a hauling area that is completely separated from the passenger area of the vehicle such as a pickup truck. These pesticides will not be hauled in any passenger area or trunk of any vehicle. If medical chests are used, pesticides can be hauled by using a car top carrier.
Warning and Caution labeled pesticides may be hauled in an automobile trunk if in clean original containers without leaks, caps are on securely, and the labeling contains no prominent warnings such as Combustible, Corrosive, or Explosive. Fumigant materials (not including household aerosols) shall not be hauled in automobiles. Pesticides with special warnings (fumigant, corrosive, etc.) must be hauled as Danger/Restricted Pesticides above.
In addition to the above guidelines, agents must obey all the requirements in the CALS "Procedures for Transporting Agricultural Chemicals" including having the proper vehicle sign, safety notebook, and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) properly displayed on/in the vehicle.
Only persons licensed by the State of North Carolina as Public Pesticide Operators in the appropriate specialty category (Agricultural Pest-Plant, Forest, Ornamental-Turf, etc.) and also in the Demonstration and Research Pest Control specialty category can apply any pesticide in an Extension related function. Farmers who are properly certified can apply maintenance treatments to on-farm tests (e.g. sucker control to an insecticide test).
Pesticides not labeled and registered by the Federal Government and the State for the crop, animal, or site can only be used (tested) in cooperation with an NCSU Extension Specialist or University Researcher responsible for evaluating chemicals on that crop, animal, or site.
All experimental and unregistered pesticides not labeled for any crop, animal, or site must be picked up by the supplier (chemical company representative, specialist, researcher, etc.) of the pesticide at the conclusion of the use (test).
All other chemicals will be disposed of by (1) using up as labeled, (2) donating to someone who can legally use them, (3) through the NCDA disposal system or (4) by a licensed commercial waste disposal company as outlined in the folder 180301 "Disposal of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers." Proper planning and careful calculations should eliminate the need for disposal of large quantities of excess spray solutions. Small quantities should be sprayed out along field borders or on the row ends. Care must be taken not to exceed the labeled application rate. Tank and equipment rinses should also be applied along field borders or on the row ends. If decontamination solutions, cleaners, detergents, ammonia, chlorine bleaches, etc. are used to remove residues, adequate dilution may be necessary to prevent soil and plant injury.
Pesticide containers must be drained, triple rinsed, punched with holes, crushed and taken to a sanitary landfill as specified in the publication "Disposal of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers."
Pesticides must not be routinely collected by agents from farmers or anyone else for the purpose of storage, disposal, or giving or selling them to other applicators, NCDA or hazardous waste disposal companies.
Collections of pesticides can be made only on specified days when an authorized NCDA or Licensed Hazardous Waste Disposal representative is on the site to assume responsibility for the collection.
Extension agents will be issued a "Hazardous Materials Safety Notebook" (see Transportation above). It contains additional information on handling pesticides safely and properly including parts of the "Policy and Procedures Manual for Occupational Safety and Health at North Carolina State University." Please become familiar with the information in this notebook.
Last Update March 1995