What is the first action to take when responding to a pesticide spill?

• A. Leave the spill site to obtain the product's label and Safety Data Sheet
• B. Put on the appropriate personal protective equipment
• C. Open the spill kit
• D. Call for assistance

Answer: (B)

The first priority in a pesticide spill is protecting yourself by putting on the appropriate personal protective equipment. Pesticides can irritate or injure skin, eyes, and lungs very quickly, so having the right barriers in place is essential before you do anything else. Once you’re protected, you can safely approach the spill to read the product label and Safety Data Sheet for specific hazards and cleanup instructions, and you can begin using the spill kit to contain and absorb the material. Leaving the area to fetch the label or SDS without protection would increase your exposure risk, so protection comes first. After you’re protected, you can proceed with containment and cleanup actions and call for assistance if the spill is large or beyond your capability.