Golf Environment Organization

A pesticide mixing and loading area is a potential source of environmental pollution, particularly for surface water and groundwater.

Many golf clubs have inadequate pesticide mixing and loading areas with no provision for containing spills of pesticides. In several countries it is a legal requirement to have special pesticide mixing areas which provide containment and have a safety plan in place for handling spills or other accidents. In all other cases it should be a priority target for completion.

In addition to ensuring that the physical infra-structure is up to scratch, clear operational procedures and practices should be clearly communicated to all relevant staff. In particular, a pesticide inventory and material safety data sheets must be kept close by, but not in the storage area itself. A spill prevention response plan should also be developed and a hazardous communication program prepared. All personnel should be familiar with this content.

At these facilities, concentrated and sometimes large quantities of these products are stored and mixed and containers must be properly discarded or cleaned for disposal or recycling. The building should be secured - except when actual pesticide-related activities are on-going - and be clearly marked as containing pesticides.

The interior floor of the building should be impervious and sealed to provide containment for any kind of spill. It should feature plastic or metal storage shelves with liquids stored below dry materials. Temperature regulation devices should be used to prevent temperature extremes. Adequate lighting and ventilation should be installed with the switch located outside the storage room so that both are on when entering or leaving the building.

The area must feature have an emergency shower / eye wash. Fire detectors, fire fighting equipment and a telephone with emergency phone numbers should also be convenient. 

Empty pesticide containers must be handled according to label instructions and an area dedicated to storage of containers before disposal should be provided.

• Contact
• Terms of Use

Sign in / Register