Lice Info

Safety

Pesticides are toxic chemicals and understanding the health risks and legal requirements associated with the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals is a critical part of safe and effective lice control. All managers and workers who will be responsible for applying chemicals should be aware of the risks and attend an Agsafe or Farm Chemical Users course.

Chemical can be absorbed through the skin, by inhalation of vapour or aerosol droplets and orally when handling food with unwashed hands or drinking from contaminated water bottles. Handling recently treated stock can also result in significant exposure. Appropriate precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of exposure to chemicals by these routes.

All agricultural and veterinary chemicals have detailed instructions for the proper use and safety precautions on the label. Be sure to read the safety directions before opening the container. Wear the appropriate protective clothing, as indicated on the label, and take care to avoid splashes or oversprays of lousicide or inhaling vapours and aerosol droplets. Handling concentrates during mixing poses a particular safety risk and all precautions recommended on the label should be closely followed.

Each State has legislation that directly regulates the development, sale, storage and use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and people working with chemicals should be aware of their legal responsibilities. Everyone working in the rural industry has a duty of care and managers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for employees using pesticides.

For more information about using chemicals safely see Use of pesticides for controlling lice - OH&S.