PPP-26

Introduction

A major component of overall good management practices is the safe storage of pesticides. Whether maintaining small amounts of pesticides in a locked cabinet or large inventories at highly sophisticated sites dedicated solely to chemical storage, the key is to limit the probability of accidental human or environmental exposure. Careful attention to your pesticide storage area will decrease the potential for accidental spills, environmental contamination, and economic loss.

The cabinet, area, or building designated for pesticide storage should be well-planned and maintained. It should remain locked to all persons, especially children. Only those individuals who perform an active role in the pesticide application process should have access to the storage site, and they should make a conscious effort to re-lock the facility upon departure.

A well-planned storage unit should contain barriers to prevent accidental leaks or spills from becoming a source of contamination to ground and surface water, soil, or wildlife habitats. From a different perspective, the pesticide storage facility is protection against economic loss a safeguard for your chemical and property investment! Astute inventory awareness may prevent over-purchase, prolonged storage of old or out-of-date pesticides, or the need to dispose of cancelled materials. And, finally, a properly maintained storage site can be implemental in assuring the smooth transfer of property titles.

Protect yourself, your family, your home, your property-and the environment. Store pesticides wisely.

Pesticide Storage Checklist

                           Enter date of each inspection: _________  _________  _________


                                                         Yes   No    Yes   No    Yes   No
General Information

  Clean, neat pesticide storage site			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___          
  Current, on-site pesticide inventory			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___                    
  Posted emergency phone numbers			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___  
  Labels and MSDS on file				 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___  
  Accurate storage inspection log maintained		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___  

Pesticide Containers

  Containers marked with purchase date			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
     (old pesticide inventory to be used first)
  Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides segregated	 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Pesticides stored in original containers		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___                      
  Labels legible and attached to containers		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Container caps tightly closed				 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___	                 
  No reused pesticide containers present		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___                    
  Pesticides stored off floor and low to ground		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Dry formulations stored on pal lets			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Feeds stored separately from pesticides		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Used containers rinsed and punctured			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Rinsed and unrinsed containers separated		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 

Spills and Disposal

  Storage area free of spills or leaks			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___           
  Shovel and absorbent materials			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Floor drains sealed (if present)			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 

Safety Information

  No smoking signs posted				 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Safety equipment separated from pesticides		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Fire extinguisher in good working order                ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___   
  Storage room locked					 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Storage room posted: Pesticides. Keep Out		 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 
  Storage site well lit and ventilated			 ___   ___   ___  ___    ___   ___ 

The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal
opportunity and access to the programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status,
parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.