Essential PPE for Spraying AgChem Trials

When conducting AgChem trials, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is non-negotiable. Ensuring the right PPE is worn can protect researchers from direct and indirect chemical exposure. All operators know that they and their team are required to wear PPE, but just what exactly is required, and are the equipment ratings appropriate for the task at hand? 

This blog breaks down the essential PPE required for spraying AgChem trials, key features of each item, and best practices for usage and maintenance.

Why is PPE Essential for AgChem Spraying?

Handling and spraying agricultural chemicals involves exposure to potentially hazardous substances, including airborne particles, chemical vapours, liquid splashes and direct skin and eye contact with the concentrated product. PPE is used in combination with a number of other practices to reduce the overall risk of operator exposure. This includes removing the risk altogether if possible (does the spray job need to occur?), substituting safer products (swapping out a schedule 7 for a safer alternative), or using engineering controls such as The Brolga hand boom that enables the user to push the nozzle configuration further away from the body, reducing potential exposure through physical distance. Once the hierarchy of control for harm minimisation has been followed, PPE will provide the final component of your defence against: 

• Skin irritation or burns caused by chemical contact
• Respiratory issues from inhaling vapours or aerosols
• Eye damage due to chemical splashes
• Long-term health risks associated with repeated exposure

By equipping yourself with the appropriate PPE, you significantly reduce the risk of adverse health effects and ensure compliance with workplace safety regulations. Take ownership over each part of the process and ensure you are creating as safe a workplace as possible for you and your team members. 

Essential PPE for Spraying AgChem Trials

1. Eye Protection

• Safety glasses or goggles – Essential when using a half-face respirator to prevent eye damage from chemical splashes. The glasses will stop direct chemical splash from injuring the eye, but any spray drift has the potential to reach the eye around the glasses, so goggles are recommended. This is particularly important when spraying taller crops or trees and vines. In the rare but possible event of a pressurised hose slipping off and spraying product onto the user, the goggles will also provide much better protection. 
• Full-face respirator – Required for overhead spraying or conditions where chemical drift could reach the face. Airborne spray droplets will remain in the air for an extended period of time (you will likely be walking through your previously sprayed treatments). A full face respirator provides a seal around the mouth, nose and eyes, protecting the user from chemical exposure. In very high risk environments or where a beard does not allow an appropriate seal on the face, the Sundstrom SR500 Hood + Fan is a good option.

2. Respiratory Protection

• P3 Particle Filter – Protects against dust, smoke, aerosols, bacteria, and mould.
• ABE Gas Filter – Protects against organic, inorganic, and acid gas vapours. Recommended for use when spraying AgChem products. 
• ABEK Gas Filter – Protects against organic, inorganic, acid gas and ammonia gas vapours.  

Best Practice: After use, remove excess moisture from inside the respirator and valves with a paper towel. Wipe down with an anti-bacterial wipe. Store gas filters in a double zip-locked bag to maintain effectiveness. Replace filters every 1-3 months, depending on use.

3. Hand Protection

• Chemical-resistant gloves – Prevent direct skin contact with chemicals. Use the disposable Ansell TouchNTuff 92-500 or 92-605 (additional protection of the wrist) if dexterity is required, i.e. handling a syringe. Use the reusable larger Ansell Sol-Vek 37-175 gloves for handling drums, jugs, shuttles, etc. 
• Best Practice: Change gloves immediately if they come into direct contact with chemicals to avoid transferring substances onto other equipment or surfaces. You can and should aim to cleanly syringe products out of a bottle, not having your gloves come into contact with any product. The Trial Supplies range of HDPE Chemical Bottles have a large opening for easier syringe use. You can also push a 6 mm piece of tube onto the bottom of our syringe range to enable extraction of product from the bottom of a tall bottle (i.e 1 , 2 or 5 L bottles). Simply call or email the Trial Supplies team and request a piece of 6 mm tube when ordering your syringes. 

4. Coveralls

• Tyvek 500 Xpert (Type 5/6) – Provides protection against light chemical splashes and drift. Semi-breathable.
• Tychem 2000 (Type 3/4/5/6) – Offers protection against prolonged or pressurised chemical spray. Non-breathable but necessary for high-risk environments. I.e. spraying tall crops and the spray is landing on your side… you will need these Tychem 2000 coveralls to avoid skin exposure. 

5. Spray Boots

• Dedicated gumboots – Prevents chemical exposure to your feet. Having a dedicated pair of spraying gumboots, means they are not then used for driving, etc. This avoids the transfer of chemicals into the footwell of your vehicle, into the office or into the home. 
• Best Practice: Store boots in a separate bag to avoid cross-contamination with other equipment.

Where to Find the Right PPE

At Trial Supplies, we provide high-quality PPE suitable for AgChem trials. Our PPE AgChem Spray Pack includes all the essential items needed to get started, all in a convenient heavy duty storage box. 

Investing in the right PPE not only ensures your safety, but also improves the efficiency of your work by reducing health risks and contamination concerns. Browse our range today and equip yourself with the right PPE for the task at hand. 

For more information on PPE requirements and to explore our product range, click the link below: