Breaking down the PPE needs for LCOs | Landscape Management

Current Issue

National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) October 2024 safety

When applying herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or fertilizers, lawn care operators (LCOs) and technicians should consider apparel and personal protective equipment (PPE) a necessary part of the job.

Sam Steel, Ed.D., safety advisor with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, says PPE requirements change depending on the application. Steel offers some insights into proper PPE for turf and ornamental spray applications.

Steel emphasizes the importance of applicators reading product labels. Under precautionary statements, all the information necessary for the proper application is on the label.

“We tell everyone that even if this person has used the chemical before, labels change,” he says. “They need to know what personal protective equipment is required for the product they’re applying.”

Look for signal words on product labels that describe short-term toxicity; words like “warning,” “caution” or “danger” help LCOs understand the product’s toxicity and can lower the risk of potential personal exposure.

Tim Fernald, agronomic training manager for SiteOne, says the point of PPE is to minimize chemical exposures through all potential routes of entry into the body. These routes include inhalation, ingestion and skin and eye absorption.

LCOs and applicators must regularly inspect PPE for contamination, leaks, cracks and holes. Pay close attention to gloves and remind people to always wash their hands with soap and water after handling chemicals.

“The biggest mistake is not wearing PPE,” says Fernald. “The applicator is legally responsible for following all personal protective clothing and equipment guidelines listed on the chemical label.”

Steel suggests LCOs and applicators wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and chemical-resistant gloves when applying fungicides, pesticides and herbicides. Although it might sound obvious, he says applicators should avoid wearing sandals, flip-flops and cloth or canvas shoes.

“One day, I was looking out the window and saw my neighbor using a commercial applicator,” says Steel. “This gentleman was in the front yard applying a product with a hose and off a tank on the back of his truck. While he did have gloves on, he had a short-sleeve T-shirt on. It is important to wear proper PPE when you’re applying because most chemicals’ primary route of entry is through the skin.”

Steel also suggests applicators wear chemical-resistant boots when working with toxic liquid products or for prolonged exposure. In addition, when mixing and loading liquid concentrates, especially highly toxic ones, LCOs should wear chemical-resistant aprons.

Applicators also can opt for chemical-resistant body suits when mixing or applying products for added protection. Depending on the toxicity of the product, applicators may need special eye protection, such as safety glasses, goggles or face shields.

Steel says respirators are also an essential piece of PPE. Even if the product doesn’t require a respirator, he suggests applicators still consider protecting themselves from inhaling airborne chemicals or dust. LCOs with facial hair also need to remember respirator fit.

“When there are those that have a beard or mustache, it can create a higher level of awareness about how that can impact the type of respirator you are using and the protection you are getting,” says Steel.

LM Staff

Landscape Management's staff brings together collective experience in journalism, research, writing, and editing. Our team stays tapped into the pulse of the industry, covering a wide range topics with a commitment to delivering compelling stories and high-quality content.