Apprentice — Safety & PPE

When applying a pesticide labeled DANGER-POISON, what minimum PPE must typically be worn based on the signal word alone?

• The PPE listed on the product label, which is legally required ✓
• Standard cotton work gloves and safety glasses are sufficient
• No PPE is needed if the product is diluted before application
• A full hazmat suit is always required for all DANGER-labeled products

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A pesticide container has been emptied. What is the proper procedure for a non-refillable rigid plastic container?

• Triple-rinse the container, add rinse water to the spray tank, then dispose of or recycle the container ✓
• Leave the empty container at the application site for the property owner to dispose of
• Bury the container on-site to prevent contamination of storm drains
• Immediately place in regular trash without rinsing to avoid handling hazards

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What is the re-entry interval (REI) for a pesticide?

• The minimum time workers must wait before entering a treated area without PPE ✓
• The time required between the first and second pesticide application
• The number of hours the pest control technician must remain on-site after spraying
• The maximum number of hours a pesticide can be stored after the container is opened

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When applying a pesticide labeled DANGER-POISON, what minimum PPE must typically be worn based on the signal word alone?

• The PPE listed on the product label, which is legally required ✓
• Standard cotton work gloves and safety glasses are sufficient
• No PPE is needed if the product is diluted before application
• A full hazmat suit is always required for all DANGER-labeled products

Answer: DANGER-POISON indicates Category I toxicity, the highest hazard level. Minimum PPE for highly toxic pesticides typically includes chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator as specified on the label. However, the specific PPE requirements are always determined by what is listed on the product label — the label is the law.

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A pesticide container has been emptied. What is the proper procedure for a non-refillable rigid plastic container?

• Triple-rinse the container, add rinse water to the spray tank, then dispose of or recycle the container ✓
• Leave the empty container at the application site for the property owner to dispose of
• Bury the container on-site to prevent contamination of storm drains
• Immediately place in regular trash without rinsing to avoid handling hazards

Answer: Proper triple-rinsing (or pressure-rinsing) of emptied pesticide containers is required before disposal. Each rinse water should be added to the spray tank. This procedure removes nearly all residue and is the legal disposal method for non-refillable containers. Improper disposal of pesticide containers is a violation of federal and state law.

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What is the re-entry interval (REI) for a pesticide?

• The minimum time workers must wait before entering a treated area without PPE ✓
• The time required between the first and second pesticide application
• The number of hours the pest control technician must remain on-site after spraying
• The maximum number of hours a pesticide can be stored after the container is opened

Answer: The Re-Entry Interval (REI) is the minimum time that must pass after a pesticide application before workers or others can enter the treated area without specified PPE. REIs protect people from exposure to pesticide residues that may still be at hazardous levels immediately after application. Violating REIs is a federal violation.

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