Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of California
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

PPE in short supply for farm work during the COVID-19 crisis

People who work on farms wear personal protective equipment to protect themselves from COVID-19, pesticides, dust and other health hazards.
While most Californians are staying home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, California farmers, farmworkers and other agricultural professionals are out in the fields and packing houses working to produce food. With increased demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE, to protect against COVID-19, these essential workers are facing shortages. Agricultural commissioners in 28 counties are hearing from farmers who are having trouble getting PPE for their employees and farmers in another 11 counties who are worried about running out of PPE in the next month or two, according to a California Department of Pesticide Regulation survey.

Gloves, N95 respirators, coveralls and other gear that workers wear to protect themselves from COVID-19, pesticides, dust and other health hazards are in short supply as priority is given to health care workers during the pandemic.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, workers may wear homemade face coverings, but for applying pesticides, they must wear respirators specified on the pesticide product label, said Whitney Brim-DeForest, UC Cooperative Extension rice advisor.

Pesticide applicators may use gear that is more protective than required by the product label and regulations. 

If the pesticide label requires an N95, you can use a half-mask with N95 particulate filters.

“Although this could change in the days ahead, half-mask and full-mask respirators are more available than disposable N95 respirators for now,” said Lisa Blecker, coordinator for the UC Pesticide Safety Education Program.

Before the pandemic, 10% of N95 respirators from 3M went to health care, but that number is now 90%, the company said in a letter to distributors. This has led to significant backorders of PPE supplies for distributors.

Carl Atwell, president of Gempler's, an online distributor of worker supplies, said that before the crisis, normal lead times for PPE was up to 10 days. He estimated disposable respirators will become available in the fall and other PPE supplies in August.

In the meantime, there is alternative PPE that agricultural professionals can use during the shortage.

Atwell suggests looking for lesser known brands of PPE as opposed to the first tier of choice: “It's sort of like searching for Purell hand sanitizer. Purell brand might be out of stock, but can you find a different disinfectant?”

On Gempler's website, the more recognizable Tyvek coverall from Dupont is sold out, however disposable protective clothing is available from other brands. Reusable chemical-resistant clothing is also available as opposed to their disposable counterparts. Supplies in high demand are reusable and disposable nitrile gloves, protective clothing, disposable respirators and certain protective eyewear, such as goggles and face shields.

Coveralls should be worn for applications where contact with spray residue is likely. Photo by Katrina Hunter

For workers who will be applying pesticides, Blecker and Brim-DeForest offered some guidelines on how to meet PPE requirements as the shortage continues.

General PPE requirements: “Remember, the label is the law,” said Brim-DeForest. “PPE requirements for agriculture are not being loosened.” The UCCE advisor recommends purchasing only what you need for the season and choosing reusable PPE whenever possible. Growers who have excess supplies of PPE can coordinate with their county agricultural commissioner or UCCE advisor to help other producers in their area.

Respirators: If you can't find the respirator required on the label, Blecker said, “Use an alternative, more-protective respirator. For example, if an N95 is required, you can use a half-mask with N95 particulate filters; these can be stand-alone filters or ones that attach to an organic vapor cartridge. You could also use a different pesticide that doesn't require a respirator. Consult with your PCA (pest control adviser) for options.”

Glove Category Selection Key developed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation helps label readers identify the correct glove material.

Gloves: Chemical-resistant gloves, usually 14 mil or more in thickness are required for most California pesticide applications and should be worn by mixers, handlers and applicators. If nitrile gloves are not available, viton and laminate gloves are universal chemical-resistant materials for most pesticide labels. If the glove material is specified on the label, that instruction must be followed. 

“Disposable gloves less than 14 mil can be worn, but not for more than 15 minutes at a time,” Blecker said. “Farmers should also note that thinner gloves cannot be layered on top of one another.”

Some common chemical resistant materials for gloves are barrier laminate, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, natural rubber, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and viton rubber.

Coveralls: Coveralls should be worn when required by the pesticide label or when the signal word is “WARNING” or “DANGER,” or when applying by backpack or airblast. “Coveralls can be made out of high-density polyethylene fibers (Tyvek and other brands), which are disposable, or cotton, which are reusable,” Brim-DeForest said. “If reusable coveralls are worn, the employer must ensure employees are provided clean coveralls.”

Goggles/face shields: Face shields are required for mixing and loading pesticides only if it's stated on the label. “If a face shield is unavailable, a full-face respirator can be used,” Blecker said. “Goggles or protective eyewear should always be worn in California when handling pesticides, regardless of what the label says. The face shield, goggles or safety glasses must provide front, side and brow protection and meet the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 standard for impact resistance.

Protective eyewear should always be worn in California when handling pesticides. Photo by Katrina Hunter

The UC Integrated Pest Management Program also covers these topics in their pesticide safety webinar series at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/IPMPROJECT/workshops.html.

For more information about PPE, contact your county agricultural commissioner or see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's posters at https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/gloves_for_pesticide_handling.pdf and https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/n95_alternatives_for_pesticide_handling.pdf.

 

Posted on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 2:03 PM
  • Author: Katrina Hunter, UC Integrated Pest Management Program pesticide safety writer

Comments:

1.
Great Article! Just one comment: Not sure where the "Coveralls should be worn ... or when applying by backpack or airblast" requirement comes from? 6738.1 says: (e) Employees wear coveralls whenever they handle pesticides with the signal word "DANGER" or "WARNING" except when using fumigants unless the pesticide product labeling expressly requires the use of coveralls. I can't find anything in the code that references backpacks and airblast?

Posted by Nancy Wickus on April 23, 2020 at 2:42 PM

2.
Hi, Nancy. You are correct, 6738 does not require coveralls expressly for backpack sprayers and airblast applications. We do recommend the use of coveralls with those two application methods, even when not required, because there is a high likelihood that the pesticide handler will come into direct contact with the spray solution. Backpack sprayers are notorious for leaking, and airblast applications made from an open cab will result in spray droplets falling on the applicator. It is not safe for handlers to have their work clothes soaked with spray solution, and coveralls will provide them with extra protection.

Posted by Lisa Blecker on April 24, 2020 at 12:47 PM

3.
I am just getting into airblast. Is Tychem considered a protective coverall for open-cab application? What is everyone wearing these days to ensure health & safety?  
 
Thanks,  
Lee

Posted by Lee Goldsmith on November 24, 2020 at 10:47 AM

4.
I can see how a business could really benefit from getting the right supplies in order to be safer, and be more secure around their employees. Making sure that they can work with a professional could allow them to be more effective with their process. It was interesting to learn about how they should use respirators when using pesticides, but otherwise should use face coverings.

Posted by Adam Golightly on January 15, 2021 at 5:44 PM

5.
Thanks for posting this informative blog on personal protective products for everyone. Keep posting such important posts so that people are aware of these high-quality medical safety products.

Posted by vcare on February 15, 2021 at 3:33 AM

6.
Shortage of PPE for farm worker is very alarming. Due to pandemic that we are facing nowadays. It is very common for this kind of shortage. It should be address soon by people in-charge.

Posted by Michelle on May 17, 2021 at 10:49 PM

7.
Thank you for talking about how coveralls should be used when required by the label. My husband and I are thinking of starting a new business this summer. We will find good reusable face shields for our business as well.

Posted by Ella Starr on July 16, 2021 at 12:26 PM

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