6.5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

For decades, the use of PPE (mask, goggles, gloves, etc.) has been recommended to smallholder farmers to protect them from the effects of pesticides. 

Whereas PPE should always be used when available, visits to many rural, cocoa growing areas will reveal that equipment is neither used nor available. 

In addition, PPE is only of value if they are well maintained and worn properly.

Since it may also be too hot to wear heavy protective gear, a rational approach would be to recommend:

• Selection of less toxic products
• Guidelines on minimum standards for personal protection (as opposed to none)
• Appropriate application skills for avoiding exposure when spraying
• Hygiene and cleanliness after application (Good Agricultural and Warehouse Practices: see Chapters 7 & 8)

We reiterate here the importance of extension and other outreach programmes emphasising that children must not take part in spray operations: pesticide application must always be treated as potentially hazardous and children are especially sensitive to pesticides (see section 2.1.2).