Start with the route to water
Know where the yard gullies, field drains, ditches and nearby watercourses are before mixing begins. Contain the liquid at the source when this can be done safely and protect the receiving drain. Never use a hose to move pesticide off a concrete apron or into a drain.
In England, call the Environment Agency incident hotline immediately when polluting material has entered, or could enter, a watercourse or soak into the ground. This includes a ruptured container, leaking pipe or uncontained spill.
Stock a pesticide spill kit for the materials present
Provide absorbent granules or sand, a shovel, suitable collection tools and an impermeable container for recovered material. Store the kit where staff can retrieve it during a leak, with an impermeable waste container that holds the contaminated absorbent securely.
Inspect the kit regularly and replenish used items; staff training covers the kit location and how to contain a release without becoming exposed.
Recover liquid without making another contamination route
For liquid pesticide or spray solution, use inert absorbent to take up the spill. Inert means it does not react chemically with the material; dry sand is one example. Gather the contaminated material into secure containment for disposal.
A drip tray beneath a mixing or loading connection can catch escaping product before it spreads over the filling surface. Prevent leaks and overfilling through maintenance and controlled filling.
Fine hazardous powders need a different recovery assessment from a puddle. Dry brushing can raise airborne dust. The response depends on the properties of the substance, so do not improvise a neutralising chemical.
Keep hazard information outside the store
A safety data sheet identifies the chemical hazards and provides information on handling, storage and emergency measures. The sheet for the exact preparation includes the supplier's emergency information.
Keep an up-to-date stock record away from the pesticide store. During a leak or fire, nobody should have to enter the store to count containers.
Keep your spray records in one place. Free to start.
Use the correct environmental reporting route
For England, the Environment Agency incident hotline is 0800 80 70 60, available around the clock. The current GOV.UK environmental reporting page separates water pollution, land pollution and other problems, and links to the services for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Prepare the site before the next load
Keep the spill equipment available at the storage and handling points. Absorbent already used for pesticide recovery needs its own disposal decision.
The store checklist and the washings and container guide cover the connected tasks.
Drains: surface water, foul sewer and oil separators
Distinguish a gully connected to surface water from a foul sewer. Surface drainage can carry pollutants straight into the environment. An oil separator is designed for oil: it cannot be assumed to remove pesticides, and detergent can interfere with separation.
Handle the leaking package without losing its identity
Keep people who could be affected away from the release and warn them about the contamination. For a damaged pesticide container, use the protective measures for that product and contain the escaping contents. Where a suitable over-container is used, preserve the pesticide name, hazards and precautions on the outside. Never put pesticide into food or drink packaging.
During transport, shut the valves controlling flow to the applicator and secure tank or hopper covers. Restrain containers against movement and crushing. A sprayer that was sound while parked can still leak across rough ground if it is overfilled.
Next step
Read about pesticide storage, safety data sheets and washings and containers.