Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

all staff know to call 911 in the event of an emergency

emergency contact numbers posted; all staff trained to call emergency contact numbers; staff have basic training in cleaning up small pesticide spills

emergency contact numbers posted; all staff trained to call emergency contact numbers; staff have basic training in cleaning up small pesticide spills; emergency response plan located in storage area and on file with emergency contacts; staff trained to respond to different emergency scenarios

staff are aware of hazards to the environment associated with pesticide spills and cross-contamination; hazards corrected when a problem occurs

staff are aware of hazards to the environment associated with pesticide spills and cross-contamination; hazards are actively reduced

staff are aware of hazards to the environment associated with pesticide spills and cross-contamination; hazards are identified and corrected; staff monitor regularly for new hazards

staff learn through on-the-job training with other staff members

staff receive instruction from experienced users regarding proper pesticide storage management activities

all staff who work in the pesticide storage area with pesticides and/or application equipment are trained by supervisor, qualified personnel and by attending continuing educational training opportunities as required by NYS DEC pesticide certification and the Cornell Health and Safety Policy 2.4; pesticide storage policy reviewed with staff

pesticide storage guidelines are posted and sometimes discussed during training sessions

pesticide storage guidelines are discussed on a regular basis with greenhouse staff

greenhouse staff gain knowledge of pesticide storage best practices through attendance at training programs, peer discussions, staff meetings, and work experiences

inspection of pesticide storage area performed when a problem arises

regular inspection of pesticide storage area performed

regular inspection of pesticide storage, mixing/loading and facility areas performed; problems noted and addressed

pesticide storage facility documents not kept or posted

pesticide storage facility policy, emergency plan, emergency contact information and maintenance logs kept and posted, but not updated regularly

pesticide storage facility policy, emergency plan, emergency contact information and maintenance logs kept up-to-date and posted as appropriate

common construction materials; no special properties; wooden shelves

some construction materials fire resistant; wooden shelves

almost all construction materials fire resistant; anti-spark electrical components; metal, water-resistant, or chemical-resistant shelves

pesticides and fertilizers stored in separate storage areas

pesticides stored in storage area; pesticides stored by hazard class and pesticidal function with incompatible materials stored physically separated from one another

pesticides stored in storage area; pesticides stored by hazard class and pesticidal function with incompatible materials stored physically separated from one another;  flammable and combustible liquids stored in separate area; herbicides separated from fungicides and insecticides; potentially reactive materials separated from other materials by some physical barrier; designated “disposal” area for surplus pesticides and empty containers being held for disposal

all chemicals stored in their original containers unless damaged; labels are visible and readable; caps are secure; food or beverage containers are never used for storage

all chemicals stored in their original containers unless damaged; labels are visible and readable; caps are secure; food or beverage containers are never used for storage

all chemicals stored in their original containers unless damaged; labels are visible and readable; caps are secure; food or beverage containers are never used for storage

labels in plain sight; some containers on floor; all containers stored up-right

labels in plain sight; no containers on floor; all containers stored up-right; aisles wide enough to accommodate workers; containers not crowded on shelves

labels in plain sight; no containers on floor; all containers stored up-right; aisles wide enough to accommodate workers; containers not crowded on shelves; pesticide inventory does not block vents in storage cabinets

no floor drain; some secondary containment used for open containers

no floor drain; secondary containment routinely used for open containers

no floor drain; floor provides containment in the event of a spill; secondary containment routinely used for open containers

storage area contains pesticides, other greenhouse chemicals (but not fertilizers), various application equipment; the storage area NEVER contains:  food, drink, tobacco products, personal protective equipment, livestock feed, living plants, and/or seeds

storage area contains pesticides, other greenhouse chemicals (but not fertilizers), various application equipment; the storage area NEVER contains:  food, drink, tobacco products, personal protective equipment, livestock feed, living plants, and/or seeds

storage area contains pesticides, other greenhouse chemicals (but not fertilizers), various application equipment; the storage area NEVER contains:  food, drink, tobacco products, personal protective equipment, livestock feed, living plants, and/or seeds

multi-media fire extinguisher immediately available and inspected annually

multi-media fire extinguisher immediately available and inspected annually

flammable materials stored separately; multi-media fire extinguisher immediately available and inspected annually; sprinkler system may be present; fire department notified at least annually of current inventory; staff are trained on proper use of extinguishers

no inventory kept; outdated materials occasionally removed

inventory updated at least once per year; outdated pesticides removed annually

inventory actively maintained as pesticides added or removed from storage; containers are dated when purchased; outdated pesticides removed on a regular basis (at least annually)

electrical lighting with few limited areas of view

electrical lighting allows view into all areas and cabinets within storage area

explosion-proof electrical lighting allows clear view into all areas and cabinets within storage area

area within building structurally segregated from general work areas; site not considered in selecting storage area

wing or corner on ground floor of a building dedicated to other purposes; some consideration given to location of storage area away from extreme heat, flooding and environmentally sensitive areas

building or area dedicated to chemical storage; separated from offices, workshops, laboratories, surface water; flooding unlikely; downwind and downhill from sensitive areas such as houses & ponds; soil, geologic and hydrologic site characteristics will not lead to contamination of any water systems through runoff or percolation

separate entry with door

lock on door; windows prohibit access; access restricted to trained personnel

all entries locked at all times; windows prohibit access; access restricted to trained personnel; procedure implemented to track keys to storage area or facility; may be fenced; no holes or entrances for rodents and other pests; cracks and crevices sealed

warning sign(s) posted, but emergency contact info not posted

warning sign(s) posted; emergency contact information posted

weatherproof warning sign(s) posted in view of entrances; emergency contact information posted

spill clean-up materials (e.g., vermiculite, Slik-Wik®, or other commercial product) available within the general area; some staff trained in proper use of these materials

spill clean-up materials (e.g., vermiculite, Slik-Wik®, or other commercial product) available at the storage area; all staff trained in proper use of these materials

spill clean-up materials (e.g., vermiculite, Slik-Wik®, or other commercial product) available at the storage area; all staff trained in the proper use of these materials; hydrated lime or high pH detergent also available for neutralization; designated shovel, dust pan, broom and empty bags and/or buckets available for clean-up

always stored on shelf or other solid surface; never on floor

always stored on shelf or other solid surface; never on floor

always stored on shelf or other solid surface; never on floor, or overhead

no mechanical temperature control

No mechanical temperature control; area insulated; no direct sources of heat (sunny windows, steam pipes, furnaces, etc.); area will not freeze

active mechanical temperature control; no direct sources of heat (sunny windows, steam pipes, furnaces, etc.)

room not particularly cool and dry; no mechanical ventilation

mechanical ventilation working and used

mechanical ventilation working and used; switch for ventilation located outside storage area

open containers resealed and returned to storage

paper bags and boxes always opened with a box cutter or scissors; open containers resealed and returned to storage

paper bags and boxes always opened with a box cutter or scissors; open containers resealed and returned to storage; all drips are removed from rigid containers; all open paper bags are placed inside another, larger container, sealed and labeled; open containers of chlorates are never kept in storage

when damaged containers are noticed, contents are repackaged and labeled or placed in suitable secondary containment which can be sealed and labeled

when damaged containers are noticed, contents are repackaged and labeled or placed in suitable secondary containment which can be sealed and labeled; secondary label may lack complete information

pesticide containers checked often for corrosion, leaks, loose caps, or bungs; when damaged containers are noticed, contents are repackaged and labeled or placed in suitable secondary containment which can be sealed and labeled; secondary label correct and complete

unused pesticide products discarded in adherence with federal, state regulations and Cornell policy

transfer opportunities for registered, unused pesticide products are sought to minimize need for disposal; unregistered or unwanted pesticide products discarded in adherence with federal, state regulations and Cornell policy

sufficient planning is done to eliminate the need for disposal of excess pesticides; triple-rinsed empty pesticide containers are discarded according to current disposal regulations

staff sometimes wear gloves in storage area

staff wear gloves in storage area when handling open containers or packages

employees wear gloves, chemically resistant boots, and protective eyewear in storage area when handling open packages

staff always wear protective gloves, chemically resistant boots, protective eyewear and respirators and/or other PPE as stated on the label when handling open pesticide containers

staff always wear protective gloves, chemically resistant boots, protective eyewear and respirators and/or other PPE as stated on the label when handling open pesticide containers

staff always wear protective gloves, chemically resistant boots, protective eyewear and respirators and/or other PPE as stated on the label when handling open pesticide containers

area is ventilated, eyewash may or may not be easily accessible

area with good ventilation, adjacent to storage area, emergency shower and eyewash available in immediate vicinity

area with dedicated ventilation, adjacent to storage, emergency shower and eyewash; separate from production area but not isolated

PPE, including gloves, aprons and respirators, is located in the general vicinity of the storage area; all those with access to storage know location of PPE and are familiar with proper donning, doffing, inspection and maintenance of PPE

PPE, including gloves, aprons and respirators, is located in the general vicinity of the storage area; all PPE stored away from pesticides; all those with access to storage know location of PPE and are familiar with proper donning, doffing, inspection and maintenance of PPE

PPE, including gloves, aprons and respirators, is located in the general vicinity of the storage area; all PPE stored away from pesticides; all those with access to storage know location of PPE and are familiar with proper donning, doffing, inspection and maintenance of PPE

all application equipment is stored in the chemical storage area or in another dedicated storage area

all application equipment is stored in the chemical storage area or in another dedicated storage area; all items used for handling pesticides are labeled “contaminated with pesticides” or otherwise clearly labeled to trained users

all application equipment is stored in the chemical storage area or in another dedicated storage area; all items used for handling pesticides are labeled “contaminated with pesticides” or otherwise clearly labeled to trained users