AT A GLANCE
- Wear gloves, a mask, full sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes every time.
- Spray with the wind behind you, never into it; stop if the wind is strong.
- Never eat, drink, chew tobacco or smoke while spraying.
- Never reuse pesticide containers for water, food or fodder.
Before you spray
- Read the label: dose, crop, waiting period before harvest, and first-aid advice.
- Check the sprayer for leaks — a leaking tank on your back soaks your skin.
- Use the right nozzle: hollow-cone for insecticides and fungicides, flat-fan for herbicides.
- Mix outdoors, away from wells, ponds and children, using a stick — never your hand.
| Protection | Why |
|---|---|
| Rubber or nitrile gloves | Hands absorb the most chemical while mixing |
| Mask or folded cloth over nose and mouth | Stops breathing in spray mist |
| Goggles or glasses | Splashes into the eyes are dangerous |
| Full sleeves, long trousers, closed shoes | Wet crop brushes chemical onto bare skin |
While spraying
- Spray in the early morning or evening when it is cool and the wind is light.
- Walk so the wind carries the spray away from you. Stop if the wind is strong or rain is coming.
- Don’t spray when bees are active on a flowering crop — choose evening.
- If the nozzle blocks, clean it with a soft brush or wire — never blow through it with your mouth.
After spraying
- Wash hands and face with soap before eating, drinking or smoking; bathe as soon as you can.
- Wash spray clothes separately from family laundry.
- Triple-rinse empty containers, pour the rinse water into the spray tank, then puncture the container so it cannot be reused.
- Mark the field and keep people and animals out for the period stated on the label.
- Store leftover products locked away from food, fodder and children, in the original container.
If someone feels unwell
Warning signs include headache, dizziness, sweating, blurred vision, vomiting, stomach cramps or breathing difficulty during or after spraying.
- Move the person away from the field into fresh air and shade.
- Remove contaminated clothes and wash the skin with plenty of soap and water. Rinse the eyes with clean water for 10 minutes.
- Do not make them vomit unless the label says so.
- Call 108 for an ambulance and take the product label or container to the doctor.
Not sure what your crop needs?Send clear photos of the crop — the whole plant, the affected leaves up close, and the field — with your crop and its age. Our team will reply in Hindi or English.
