Growsafe Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'chemical spill response' and what steps does it involve?
- Containing the spill to prevent spread, absorbing it with appropriate materials, and disposing of waste as chemical waste (Correct answer)
- Simply hosing the spill area down with water
- Covering the spill with dirt and leaving it to break down naturally
- Cordoning off the area and leaving it for a specialist contractor to handle without any immediate action
Correct answer: Containing the spill to prevent spread, absorbing it with appropriate materials, and disposing of waste as chemical waste
A chemical spill response involves containing the spill first (to prevent it spreading to drains or waterways), absorbing with appropriate materials, and disposing of the absorbed material as chemical waste.
Question 2: What should be included in a farm's emergency response plan for agrichemical incidents?
- Emergency contact numbers, location of SDS file, first aid procedures, spill kit location, and evacuation routes (Correct answer)
- Only the emergency services phone number
- Only the location of the nearest hospital
- Only the chemical storage location and a general note to call 111
Correct answer: Emergency contact numbers, location of SDS file, first aid procedures, spill kit location, and evacuation routes
A comprehensive emergency plan includes contact numbers, SDS access, first aid procedures, spill kit location, and evacuation routes — enabling a fast, organised response to any incident.
Question 3: What materials are used in an agrichemical spill kit to contain and absorb a liquid spill?
- Absorbent granules or pads, and physical barriers such as booms or containment barriers (Correct answer)
- Household sawdust and plastic bags
- Water-absorbent materials such as towels or rags
- Chemical neutralising agents and pH-adjustment compounds
Correct answer: Absorbent granules or pads, and physical barriers such as booms or containment barriers
Spill kits contain specialised absorbent materials that soak up liquid chemicals and physical barriers to prevent spread. Standard household materials are not appropriate for agrichemical spills.
Question 4: What is the correct procedure for transporting a person overcome by agrichemicals to hospital?
- Bring the product label and SDS with them to assist medical staff with treatment (Correct answer)
- Give them the product to show the doctor on arrival
- Transport them in the back of a spray tractor for speed
- Ask them to walk to the hospital if it is nearby to keep them moving
Correct answer: Bring the product label and SDS with them to assist medical staff with treatment
Medical staff treating an agrichemical poisoning patient need the product label and SDS to identify the substance and select the appropriate treatment. This information can be life-saving.
Question 5: What should a farm worker do if they find a colleague collapsed near a recently sprayed area?
- Do not enter the area without appropriate PPE, call emergency services, and provide information about the agrichemical used (Correct answer)
- Rush in immediately to pull the colleague to safety regardless of PPE
- Try to rouse the colleague before calling emergency services
- Continue work and send for help at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Do not enter the area without appropriate PPE, call emergency services, and provide information about the agrichemical used
Rushing into a potentially contaminated area without PPE risks a second casualty. Emergency services should be called immediately while a protected person assists the casualty.
Question 6: What fire hazard may some agrichemicals present and how should it be managed?
- Some agrichemicals are flammable or combustible — they must be stored away from heat and ignition sources, and a dry chemical extinguisher should be available (Correct answer)
- All agrichemicals are inherently non-flammable as they are water-based
- Only powder formulations present a fire risk, not liquid formulations
- Fire risk from agrichemicals can be managed simply by storing in the open air
Correct answer: Some agrichemicals are flammable or combustible — they must be stored away from heat and ignition sources, and a dry chemical extinguisher should be available
Agrichemicals with flammable or combustible ingredients must be stored away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Suitable fire extinguishing agents (often dry chemical or CO2) should be available. Water may not be appropriate for some chemical fires.
Growsafe Emergency Procedures 2
What is a 'chemical spill response' and what steps does it involve?