Written by Alan Martinez
Pesticides are used in a wide variety of occupational settings – just a few of the examples include agriculture, forestry, water and wastewater treatment, residential properties, healthcare, and pest control services. While pesticides can have many beneficial effects like mitigating unwanted pests that destroy crops, they can become dangerous when not used according to label direction. Jobs that involve the direct use of pesticides, or jobs in settings where pesticides are used by others can represent potential occupational hazards because incorrect use can lead to illness, injury, or possibly death.
Exposure to pesticides can lead to pesticide poisoning through short-term or long-term exposure. Young workers exposed to pesticides can experience a variety of symptoms depending on the toxicity of the pesticide, exposure pathway, and many other factors. Symptoms of poisoning can include dermal, gastrointestinal, ocular, respiratory, or neurological effects. As a result, it is important for young professionals to report any type of exposure to their medical healthcare providers if they suspect or have been exposed to pesticides.
There are many ways workers can protect themselves to prevent pesticide exposure and reduce the potential risk of pesticide poisoning. For example, young workers can choose to wear long-sleeved clothing and personal protective equipment such as a mask or eyewear that protects them from possible accidental exposure. Workers are required to follow safety guidelines and to familiarize themselves with safety data sheets (SDS) on how to use pesticides safely, which can lessen any accidental exposures in the workplace. If young employees are employed in agriculture settings such as forestry, nurseries, farms, and/or greenhouses they should pay special attention to trainings on the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) and review the content periodically to protect themselves and their colleagues from pesticide poisonings and injuries. These trainings are available in both English and Spanish.
It is important to create a workplace culture that encourages young worker safety and prevention behaviors. A scientific study highlighted the importance of interventions that help young workers understand that they ARE at risk of pesticide exposure, know how to protect themselves and have confidence in protective equipment and safety procedures to reduce risk to themselves and others.[1] If such behavioral interventions are not applied, it can potentially lead to new exposure among young workers in the workplace.
Finally, hazard communication is vital in developing dialogue and interaction between young workers, supervisors, management, and leadership. There is no single correct or magical way to communicate – each workplace has unique conditions, opportunities, and constraints. Young professionals can be empowered by their employers to report any unsafe working conditions when pesticides are being used in a way that they shouldn’t. Training and safety meetings can include the participation of young workers to build health and safety education that is responsive to workplace conditions. Young workers can be invited to participate in emergency or medical planning activities for accidental exposures. Workers can be paired with a mentor in the workplace. A mentor can provide a positive sense of belonging and foster a culture of safety by sharing their expertise and knowledge of handling and applying pesticides with young professionals who are new to the job.
A safe environment requires continual learning. A culture of continuous improvement and effective implementation arises from dedication, support, and encouragement from all parts of the workforce including young professionals, supervisors, leadership, and management. Every employee can contribute to an inclusive work environment that encourages asking for help, creating trust, and building awareness of dangers related to unsafe pesticide use, especially for young professionals who may be new in the workplace or transitioning from a different occupation. Open communication, which helps foster a culture of safety, is vital for pesticide poisoning prevention.
[1] Rohlman DS, Davis JW, Ismail A, Abdel Rasoul GM, Hendy O, Olson JR, Bonner MR. 2020. Risk perception and behavior in Egyptian adolescent pesticide applicators: an intervention study. BMC Public Health 20(1):679
