Rule 52. Use and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals, Insecticides, Pesticides and Toxic substances in the Plantation, Display of Notice Indicating Hazards under sub-sections (2), (3), (4), (5),(7) and (9) of section 93 of the Code

(1) Prohibition on employment of women and adolescent workers in using or handling of hazardous chemicals:- No women and adolescent worker shall be permitted in handling, storage and transportation of insecticide, pesticide, chemicals and toxic substances.

(2) Appointment and qualification of Supervisors :- The use, handling , storage and transportation of insecticides, Chemicals and toxic substances shall be supervised by a competent person who possess the following qualification:-

(a) Graduate in Agriculture Science or possess a certificate course on handling of chemicals and toxic substances conducted by the recognized institutes.

(b) Possess a valid certificate from a recognized Institute for giving first aid treatment to workers.

(3) No insecticides, pesticides, chemical and toxic substance shall be transported or stored in such a way as to come into direct contact with food-stuffs or animal feeds or drinking water.

(4) If any insecticide, pesticides, chemicals and toxic substances are found to leak out in transport or storage, it shall be the responsibility of the employer to take remedial measures urgently to prevent poisoning and pollution of soil and water.

(5) The packages containing insecticide, pesticides, chemical and toxic substances shall be stored in separate rooms or premises for storing such articles or shall be kept in separate almirahs under lock and key depending upon the quantity and nature of the insecticides.

(6) The rooms or premises meant for storing insecticide, pesticides, chemical and toxic substance shall be spacious well built, dry, well-lit and ventilated.

(7) Training of Workers:-

(a) The workers involved in handling insecticides, chemicals, acids, and toxic substances shall be provided suitable training in observing safety precautions and handling safety equipment provided to them in a recognized institutes.

(b) All the workers who apply, handle, transport or come into contact with agrochemicals or other chemical substances must be trained in at least the following subjects:-(i) General occupational health;

(ii) Formulations, names, and the biocide action of the substances used in the case of pesticides;

(iii) Correct use of personal protective clothing and equipment;

(iv) Preventive measures and measures for reducing damage to health and the environment, caused by the chemical substances, equipment, techniques, signage, medical examination, etc.,

(v) Emergency procedures, first aid and medical attention for cases involving poisoning or undue contact with chemical substances;

(vi) Techniques for handling chemical substances and for the correct application of agro chemicals;

(vii) Secure handling and transportation of agro-chemicals for drivers; and

(viii) Other necessary training suitable for the plantation.

(8) Periodic medical examination to the workers:-

(a) Every worker who is engaged in the work of handling, dealing, or spraying or mixing insecticides, chemical and toxic substances shall be medically examined initially at the time of employment and thereafter once in every six months in the hospitals.

(b) The medical examination and tests shall be recorded in Form – V.

(c) Any person showing symptoms of poisoning shall be immediately examined and given proper treatment.

(9) Washing, bathing and cloak room facilities:

(a) Every employer shall provide washing, bathing and cloak room facilities to the workers who are employed in handling insecticides, pesticides, chemicals and toxic substances.

(b) Protective clothing and equipment:-

(i) Persons handling insecticides, chemicals and toxic substance during its operation, distribution, mixing, spraying shall be adequately protected with appropriate clothing.

(ii) The protective clothing shall be made of materials which prevent or resist the penetration of any form of insecticide, chemical and toxic formulations. The materials shall be washable so that the toxic elements are removed after each use.

(iii) A complete suit of protective clothing shall consist of following dresses, namely:-(a) Protective outer garment with wide brimmed hat.

(b) Rubber gloves or such other protective gloves, extending up to the forearm, made of materials impermeable to liquids.

(c) Dust proof goggles.

(d) Boots.

(e) Reusable cloth masks.

(10) Precautionary actions : - Every employer in the plantation shall display the following precautionary notices at or near the place where the insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances are handled:-

(a) Use protective clothing like overalls, gloves, rubber gum-boots and wide brimmed hats.

(b) Do not wear clothes contaminated with insecticides and pesticides.

(c) Clean the protective clothing by washing with soap and water.

(d) Do not allow children, sick persons and pregnant women and nursing mothers to handle insecticides and pesticides.

(e) Never blowout clogged nozzles with mouth.

(f) Do not use leaking sprayers. Avoid contamination of the skin, mouth and eyes.

(g) Do not inhale the insecticides unattended in the fields.

(h) Never spray insecticides and pesticides against the wind.

(i) Do not leave insecticides and pesticides unattended in the fields.

(j) Do not allow humans and livestock to enter the insecticides and pesticides sprayed fields for a period of time, as suggested by the manufacturers.

(k) Do not wash insecticides and pesticides containers near a well or running stream.

(l) Keep clean water, soaps and towels ready for use.

(m) Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking or chewing and after work.

(n) Keep the insecticides and pesticides locked in the store room and out of reach of children and other unauthorized persons.

(o) Do not enter the sprayed field. Follow the re-entry periods for all insecticides and pesticides including herbicides, as suggested by the manufacturers.

(p) Keep insecticides and pesticides in their original labeled containers.

(q) Do not decant insecticides and pesticides into unlabeled containers except for immediate use.

(r) Never reuse the container for any other purposes if it is impossible to remove the traces of insecticides and pesticides from the containers.

(s) Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew while handling insecticides and pesticides.

(t) Dispose the containers safely after thoroughly emptying and washing. They may be buried in a place away from a water source.