- A load area is required any time a liquid bulk pesticide container is opened and pesticides are transferred from one container to another. This includes filling from a transport truck, filling application equipment from a bulk pesticide container, or using a bulk pesticide container to impregnate fertilizer. Remember, mini-bulk containers are bulk by definition and any time you open a container it must be in containment or on a load area.
- All load areas for liquid bulk pesticide transfers must have a minimum 3 inch curb regardless of its size. A dry pesticide load area does not have to be curbed but must be an elevated flat impermeable surface that is large enough to catch spilled material. Load areas must be constructed in a liquid tight manner. Dive in/out aprons must not exceed 1 foot of length per inch of curb height.
- Load areas must be properly maintained. Cracks in concrete must be repaired with compatible and resistant materials to remain liquid tight. Metal load areas must be kept free of rust and corrosion by regular sandblasting and painting.
- A load area may not contain a drain or similar opening. Any openings must be permanently sealed.
- A load area may be designed with a sump. If a sump will be used, the load area must be sloped to the sump or sediment trap and used only for temporary collection. The sump may not be greater than 2 feet deep or hold more than 109 U.S. gallons.
The minimum required capacity for a liquid bulk pesticide load area is as follows:
| Pesticide Container Size | Required Minimum Load Area Size |
|---|---|
|
Mini-bulk 56 - 249 gallons |
250 gallons |
|
Mini-bulk 250 - 499 gallons |
500 gallons |
|
Bulk tanks 500 gallons or more |
1,000 gallons |
A bulk pesticide storage facility must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. This includes inspecting storage containers, appurtenances, loading areas, and secondary containment areas to ensure their integrity and minimize the risk of a pesticide release.
A written record of these inspections must be kept at the storage facility.
| Area to Inspect | Schedule |
|---|---|
|
Storage containers & appurtenances |
Weekly (when storing pesticides) |
|
Secondary containment |
Monthly (when storing pesticides) |
|
Loading areas |
Monthly (when storing pesticides) |
A bulk pesticide storage facility must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. This includes inspecting storage containers, appurtenances, loading areas, and secondary containment areas to ensure their integrity and minimize the risk of a pesticide release.
A written record of these inspections must be kept at the storage facility.
| Area to Inspect | Schedule |
|---|---|
|
Storage containers & appurtenances |
Weekly (when storing pesticides) |
|
Secondary containment |
Monthly (when storing pesticides) |
|
Loading areas |
Monthly (when storing pesticides) |
Maintenance of a bulk pesticide storage facility must be performed as necessary to ensure the integrity of the safeguards, including pesticide containers, secondary containment areas, and loading areas. It is not only required that written inspection and maintenance records be kept but also very important for you especially if an incident occurs. If records can show a tank or valve was adequately maintained, liability may not be an issue. On the other hand if records do not exist documenting either inspections or maintenance, it is assumed that these tasks were not conducted.
Maintenance of a bulk pesticide storage facility must be performed as necessary to ensure the integrity of the safeguards, including pesticide containers, secondary containment areas, and loading areas. It is not only required that written inspection and maintenance records be kept but also very important for you especially if an incident occurs. If records can show a tank or valve was adequately maintained, liability may not be an issue. On the other hand if records do not exist documenting either inspections or maintenance, it is assumed that these tasks were not conducted.
An inventory of bulk pesticides must be kept when pesticides are being stored.
Fixed storage tank inventory records must contain the following:
- The beginning and end amounts of each fixed storage container at the time of each filling.
- The amount of bulk pesticide delivered, sold and used.
- The names of the persons keeping the inventory records.
An inventory of bulk pesticides must be kept when pesticides are being stored.
Fixed storage tank inventory records must contain the following:
- The beginning and end amounts of each fixed storage container at the time of each filling.
- The amount of bulk pesticide delivered, sold and used.
- The names of the persons keeping the inventory records.
All pesticide releases occurring in an area confined to loading and secondary containment areas, including sludge, rinsates or pesticide contaminated precipitation, must be recovered, used, and stored for later use or properly disposed.
Precipitation must not be allowed to accumulate in a loading or secondary containment area where:
- Capacity is reduced in the safeguard.
- Corrosion to tanks and appurtenances is accelerated.
- Tank stability is reduced or compromised.
All pesticide releases occurring in an area confined to loading and secondary containment areas, including sludge, rinsates or pesticide contaminated precipitation, must be recovered, used, and stored for later use or properly disposed.
Precipitation must not be allowed to accumulate in a loading or secondary containment area where:
- Capacity is reduced in the safeguard.
- Corrosion to tanks and appurtenances is accelerated.
- Tank stability is reduced or compromised.
All pesticide releases must be reported to the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 (local) or 1-800-422-0798 as soon as possible.
