Stay safe when using pesticides

Organization: Health Canada

Published: 2025-07-15

ISBN : ISBN: 978-0-660-77747-4

If you use pesticides, know the rules to ensure your safety.

When using pesticides

• Always read and follow product label instructions and warnings. If it is unclear, ask your employer.
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) specified on the product label. Report any problems with your PPE to your employer.

PPE is any piece of clothing or equipment used to protect you from exposure to pesticides.

Your employer is responsible for ensuring that all pesticides used are approved for use in Canada, that label instructions are strictly followed, and that you have the necessary PPE that fits properly and allows you to work safely.

After using pesticides

Stay out of areas where pesticides have been sprayed until you are told that it is safe to enter.

Follow and respect intervals specified on the label after pesticides have been applied:

• Restricted-entry interval (REI): Period of time you must not do hand labour in treated areas after a pesticide application.
• Preharvest interval (PHI): Period of time you must not harvest nor consume treated products after a pesticide application.   

Complying with REI and PHI directions are legal requirements.

If a pesticide causes you a health problem

If you were exposed to pesticides and experience symptoms such as skin rash, headache and nausea:

• Call 911 if immediate medical attention is needed.
• Go see a doctor. Bring the pesticide label information with you.
• Follow the first aid statements on the label. 

Always report incidents to your employer. You can report a pesticide incident to Health Canada at 1-800-267-6315, and request for anonymity, if you like.

Appendix

Pesticide safety

Remember!

• Always ask your employer if you are unclear on any safety procedures.
• Stay out of areas where pesticides have been sprayed until you are told that it is safe to enter.
• If you think pesticides are being sprayed near you, get out of the area.
• Make sure you are properly trained before handling or using pesticides.
• In case of an accident, seek medical attention immediately and report the accident to your employer.
• Stay clean—wash hands before eating, drinking and using the toilet; wear clean clothes each day; and  shower at the end of the day.

Text description

The sequence begins with a view of a farm located between a forest and an open field. In the following scenes, a supervisor provides guidance for various situations, such as giving safety instructions before fieldwork, advising workers to stay out of treated areas, and instructing them to leave when pesticides are being sprayed nearby. The next scenes shows employees reading pesticide labels, using personal protective equipment, and seeking medical attention after a pesticide incident. The sequence concludes with a worker practicing a good hygiene while staying clean to protect himself from pesticide exposure.