RULE 1950
PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS
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, adjuvant 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, molluscide, avicide, rodenticide, plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant 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 subdivisions.
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, sulfur 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 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 and 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 pesticides 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 cool, 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 properly 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 piping 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 too, and used by workers when 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 barrels shall be thoroughly washed after each use.
(7) Sodium chloride 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./cm 2
(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 pipelines and bleed valves in the hoses.
(11) Tanks for anhydrous ammonia shall:
a. be situated at a safe distance from other buildings, fire 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 labeled 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;
c. and 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: Disposed 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.
Labor Code of the Philippines 