What are the first three steps you should take after a pesticide spill occurs?

• A. Evacuate and restrict access, contain the spill, and follow the label and company spill plan for cleanup and reporting.
• B. Ignore minor spills; wipe up and reuse.
• C. Flush with water and ignore.
• D. Move the spill to another area.

Answer: (A)

When a pesticide spill happens, the priority is safety and preventing spread. The best course is to evacuate and restrict access to the area, contain the spill so it doesn’t reach drains, soil, or water, and then follow the pesticide label and your company’s spill plan for cleanup and reporting. This approach protects people and pets from exposure, prevents environmental contamination, and ensures you use approved cleanup methods, PPE, and proper disposal or reporting as required by law and policy.

Ignoring a spill, whether minor or not, can leave residues that are hazardous and could lead to exposure or environmental damage. Flushing or washing the spill with water can spread the pesticide and contaminate other areas, while moving the spill simply relocates the danger. Wiping up and reusing materials without proper containment and disposal can leave harmful residues behind.