| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the application area | Drift toward waterways, sensitive crops, people, or vehicles; unstable ground; wind shifts | Inspect the site, measure wind speed, avoid spraying during gusty conditions, mark sensitive areas, maintain a safe buffer zone |
| Inspect low drift equipment | Worn nozzles, cracked hoses, malfunctioning drift control systems, clogged filters | Check nozzle condition, verify correct low drift nozzle type, inspect sprayer tank and lines, test pressure regulator and screens |
| Review herbicide label and SDS | Wrong pressure settings, improper nozzle choice, incorrect mixing rate | Follow label instructions for pressure, droplet size, and required personal protective equipment |
| Don required PPE | Skin and eye exposure, inhalation of mist | Wear all required PPE before mixing or applying herbicide |
| Mix herbicide solution | Splash hazard, improper dilution, inhalation of fumes | Mix on stable ground away from the public, pour concentrate slowly, use measuring tools, wear apron and gloves, stir solution carefully |
| Adjust equipment settings | Incorrect droplet size, inefficient coverage, unintended drift | Set pressure to label requirements, verify nozzle orientation, test spray pattern on a safe target before starting work |
| Begin application using low drift methods | Chemical drift, overspray, coverage gaps | Hold nozzle close to target vegetation, spray at low pressure, walk at consistent speed, avoid spraying into wind, reduce boom height if using a boom sprayer |
| Monitor environmental conditions | Wind changes, sudden gusts, temperature inversions | Continuously observe wind direction, stop work if wind increases or changes direction, avoid spraying during very hot or calm inversion conditions |
| Maintain awareness of crew and bystanders | Crew entering spray zone, drift exposure to public | Assign a lookout, maintain communication, stop immediately if anyone approaches the spray area |
| Clean and rinse equipment | Chemical splash, contamination of ground or water | Perform triple rinse in designated area, avoid dumping rinse water into ditches or waterways, wear PPE throughout cleanup |
| Store equipment and chemical safely | Leaks, cross contamination, accidental exposure | Secure sprayer in vehicle, store chemicals in locked and labeled cabinet, keep product and equipment separated from eating or break areas |
Chemical resistant gloves
Safety glasses or face shield
Long sleeves and long pants
Chemical resistant boots
Respirator if required by product label
High visibility vest when working near roads
Waterproof apron when mixing chemicals
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the application area | Drift toward waterways, sensitive crops, people, or vehicles; unstable ground; wind shifts | Inspect the site, measure wind speed, avoid spraying during gusty conditions, mark sensitive areas, maintain a safe buffer zone |
| Inspect low drift equipment | Worn nozzles, cracked hoses, malfunctioning drift control systems, clogged filters | Check nozzle condition, verify correct low drift nozzle type, inspect sprayer tank and lines, test pressure regulator and screens |
| Review herbicide label and SDS | Wrong pressure settings, improper nozzle choice, incorrect mixing rate | Follow label instructions for pressure, droplet size, and required personal protective equipment |
| Don required PPE | Skin and eye exposure, inhalation of mist | Wear all required PPE before mixing or applying herbicide |
| Mix herbicide solution | Splash hazard, improper dilution, inhalation of fumes | Mix on stable ground away from the public, pour concentrate slowly, use measuring tools, wear apron and gloves, stir solution carefully |
| Adjust equipment settings | Incorrect droplet size, inefficient coverage, unintended drift | Set pressure to label requirements, verify nozzle orientation, test spray pattern on a safe target before starting work |
| Begin application using low drift methods | Chemical drift, overspray, coverage gaps | Hold nozzle close to target vegetation, spray at low pressure, walk at consistent speed, avoid spraying into wind, reduce boom height if using a boom sprayer |
| Monitor environmental conditions | Wind changes, sudden gusts, temperature inversions | Continuously observe wind direction, stop work if wind increases or changes direction, avoid spraying during very hot or calm inversion conditions |
| Maintain awareness of crew and bystanders | Crew entering spray zone, drift exposure to public | Assign a lookout, maintain communication, stop immediately if anyone approaches the spray area |
| Clean and rinse equipment | Chemical splash, contamination of ground or water | Perform triple rinse in designated area, avoid dumping rinse water into ditches or waterways, wear PPE throughout cleanup |
| Store equipment and chemical safely | Leaks, cross contamination, accidental exposure | Secure sprayer in vehicle, store chemicals in locked and labeled cabinet, keep product and equipment separated from eating or break areas |
Chemical resistant gloves
Safety glasses or face shield
Long sleeves and long pants
Chemical resistant boots
Respirator if required by product label
High visibility vest when working near roads
Waterproof apron when mixing chemicals