What can employees do to minimize their exposure to pesticides?

Minimizing exposure to pesticides is a critical consideration for employee safety in pest control operations. Choosing to operate equipment that minimizes direct contact with pesticides is an effective strategy for reducing risk. When employees use equipment designed to limit their exposure, such as closed systems or remote application tools, they significantly decrease the likelihood of skin contact, inhalation, and accidental spills associated with handling pesticides directly.

Using hand-held spray applicators constantly may not always be safe or practical, especially when more efficient or safer equipment is available. Leaving personal protective equipment (PPE) at home undermines safety protocols and places employees at greater risk, as PPE is essential for protection against pesticide exposure. Handling pesticides without any safety precautions altogether disregards safety protocols and presents serious health hazards, both for the individual and the environment.

In contrast, operating equipment that minimizes direct contact acknowledges the importance of both effectiveness in pest control and active measures to protect workers' health.