Before handling pesticides, you should always check what?

Before handling pesticides, checking your personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for ensuring your safety. PPE is designed to protect you from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in pesticides. This may include gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing, depending on the specific pesticide you will be using and the type of application.

Having the correct personal protective equipment can significantly reduce the risk of skin contact, inhalation, or eye exposure to pesticide residues, which can lead to serious health issues. Furthermore, ensuring that your PPE is in good condition and appropriate for the task at hand is a vital step in safe pesticide handling practices.

Other considerations, like the weather forecast or emergency contact numbers, are important, but they do not offer the immediate protection that checking PPE does. Nearby wildlife is also a factor to consider, especially in terms of environmental impact, but safety for the applicator comes first with properly assessed and equipped PPE.