Pesticide Spills

Pesticide & Fertilizer Spills

All spills, regardless of size, must be contained and cleaned up in a safe and effective manner. Spills that affect or threaten public health, welfare, or the environment will be attended to immediately by protecting human safety, and containing and cleaning up the spilled substance. To determine the proper response procedures, OSHA classifies discharges as either “incidental” or “emergency” depending on the following characteristics.

Ohio EPA's Spill Hotline: 800-282-9378

There is no one-size-fits-all answer as to whether a spill is an emergency or if it is incidental.

Pesticide Spill Kit

Incidental Discharges

Emergency Discharges-Call 911

Spill Response Steps

Less than 25 gallons (if you are unsure of amount, reporting is encouraged)
Can be easily contained
Unlikely to reach storm sewer, sanitary drain or navigable waterway
Cleanup procedures do not pose a health or safety hazard
Proper response equipment is available for safe cleanup

Workers are not required to have a specified level or amount of training to clean up small, non-emergency spills – they just need to be able to recognize the hazards and be able to follow the prescribed plan that the facility has outlined to safely accomplish the task.