How do you inform farm workers, scouts and others about the Restricted Entry Interval (REI) of pesticides you use? The REI is the period of time after a pesticide has been applied that workers or anyone else must not do hand labour tasks in that treated area. One way to inform everyone of REIs is to post signs at any entrance into treated areas. In collaboration with government and industry leaders, the Ontario Pesticide Education Program (OPEP) has available 2 designs of ready-to-use signs that growers can purchase to inform others to stay out of treated areas.
With a bright red stop sign shape, both designs warn others, in English, French and Spanish, to stay out due to the potential danger of pesticides. These 12x12” signs are made of corrugated plastic or laminated cardstock and are ready for indoor or outdoor use. One design offers space for the pesticide applicator to write when it is safe to enter the area. Signs can be viewed on OPEP’s website: https://www.opep.ca/index.cfm/information/news/for-sale-restricted-entry-interval-signs/. To order your signs, please call 1-800-652-8573.
The Ontario Pesticide Education Program has offered courses since 1987. The courses focus on product information, health and environmental risk management, pesticide application and pesticide safety practices. Currently over 22 000 growers, 1 300 vendors and nearly 300 On-Farm Instructors are certified through the program. It is supported by growers, OMAFRA, pesticide manufacturers and retailers.
Source: Ontario Pesticide Education Program