Joaquim Gonçalves Machado-Neto

By Joaquim G. Machado-Neto

With the use of herbicides, there is a certain risk of intoxication to directly exposed workers, which depends on several factors. Risk factors can be grouped in the toxicity of herbicides and exposure provided by the specific working conditions. From the assessment of the risk of intoxication, working conditions can be classified as safe or unsafe. The safety of working conditions is based on the chronic toxicity of the pesticide and the absorbable amount of dermal and respiratory exposure. Safety can be determined by calculation of the margin of safety calculation (MOS). If the value of MOS ≥1, the working condition is classified as safe, but if the MOS <1, the condition and work is classified as unsafe. For working conditions classified as unsafe, workers should adopt safety measures to become safe. Safety measures at work are grouped into preventive and protection. The preventive safety measures are grouped into the selection of workers/personnel: psychological measures; administrative: legislation, standards, and procedures; and hygiene, cleaning, maintenance, and safety of the environment. The protection safety measures are grouped into collectives and individual. The Brazilian labor law mandates the use of preventive measures and protection, according to the pesticide manufacturers’ recommendations on the labels.

Part of the book: Herbicides