PACIFIC SEEDS PTY LTD

FUMIGATION

FUMIGATION
PWI - 17
ISSUE: FOUR
Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd 2000,2001,2005,2010
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&ssue' (our )*an 2010 +e%'0 Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd 2000,2001,2005,2010 Page 1 of ,
PACIFIC SEEDS PTY LTD PWI - 17
FUMIGATION
1. FUMIGATION
The process of fumi!"io# is "o $e comp%e"e& o#%' $' ! %ice#se& fumi!"or
()ice#se issue& $' *%& +e!%"h,.
The purpose for which Fumigation is used is for the eradication of instore grain
insect pests. (Maize Weevil, Rice Weevil, Rust Red Flour Beetle, Lesser rain
Borer, Flat rain Beetle, !ndian Meal Moth, Tropical Warehouse Moth, "aw#
toothed rain Beetle, To$acco Beetle, %ngoumois rain Moth, &ried Fruit
Beetle, 'adelle and Bean Weevil(.
The purpose of this section is to give )rocessing staff an idea of procedures
involved and how to identif* fumigation when it is $eing underta+en.
Record all details of fumigation,s must $e +ept - Fumigation 'ontrol "heet ()W!
%ttachment ./#0.( for 1 *ears.
!f a silo has signage stating Danger Fumigation in Progress" and2or if there is
high visi$ilit* tape with 3Danger - No Entry 3around the silo then it is to $e
assumed that silo is under fumigation. !t is also to $e assumed that the silo
contains a fumigant that potentiall* dangerous and under no circumstances is
that silo to $e entered.
1.1 PRO-ESS .ES-RIPTION:
%ll seed $eing returned to compan* store from agents and seed $eing purchased
from other companies must $e fumigated $efore entering the shed.
)hosphine ()hosto4in, asto4in or )hosfume( is the onl* fumigant, which should
$e used for seed stoc+s.
)hosphine is highl* to4ic and must $e handled with e4treme care.
%n* seed lines which have insect infestation must $e fumigated immediatel*.
/ FUMIGATION OF STA-0S USING P+OSP+INE
"ome import 2 e4port 2 interstate seed movement ma* re5uire a different rate.
)lease chec+ with 6ualit* 'ontrol prior to fumigation of these shipments.
Fumigation Time7 "even da*s at 81 or a$ove .0 da*s .1 to 81.
"tac+ Fumigation )rocedure7 (using )hosphine(
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FUMIGATION
9nsure the position for fumigating is firstl* safe and accessi$le for safet*
reasons. "econdl* situate them in a low traffic area on a non#pervious surface. !t
is important to thin+ of other personnel at all times.
&o not attempt fumigation if am$ient temperatures are $elow .1. "toc+ 2$ags
should $e arranged on a pad allowing sufficient space for a gas to penetrate all
the areas in the stac+. The fumigation tarp should $e put in place, thoroughl*
searched for tear holes and sealed $* placing sand sna+es around the entire
perimeter.
% small tu$e with the outer end taped should $e placed under the edge of the
fumigation tarp to allow metered samples to $e ta+en via a &rager as &etector
to ensure the correct fumigate level is achieved.
% sign should $e placed conspicuousl* on the stac+ stating # "Danger
Fumigation in Progress". % wor+er wearing ru$$er gloves and an appropriate
gas mas+ should then dose the stoc+. % test pro$e hose is placed under the tarp
to a central point to ta+e readings of the gas levels. :nce the correct fumigation
rate is calculated proceed depending on the method of fumigating.

!f using ta$lets, the phosphine ta$lets are to $e placed on tra*s with no more
than .00 ta$lets per tra* and tra*s placed under the tarp at evenl* distri$uted
points. The tarp should $e sealed as 5uic+l* as possi$le after placing the ta$lets
in.
!f using a c*linder of phosphine, the gas c*linder should $e placed on a scale
and weighed. The gas pro$e then attached to the $ottle and inserted into the
stac+. "eal the stac+. The scales set to the c*linder weight. The gas $ottle is
then opened to allow gas to enter the stac+. When the preset scale weight is
reached, the gas is turned off.
For $oth methods the gas level is to $e tested once the stac+ is sealed. The test
pro$e hose is sealed to prevent lea+ing of the gas. Monitor the gas level through
out the fumigation period.
%t the completion of fumigation the tarp should $e lifted $* the fumigator wearing
the correct personal protective e5uipment ())9( to allow ventilation. The down
wind end of the stac+ should $e opened first then the upwind end to allow a flow
of air through the stac+ to increase the dispersion rate. Be aware at all times of
the direction of the discharge and the rate of dispersion. !f settling is li+el* to
occur then use fans or other mechanical devices to increase the rate of
dispersion. Monitor the gas levels at all times to ensure the e4ternal gas levels
are accepta$le.
Where fumigation has $een carried out indoors, wearing ))9 the tarp should $e
removed in the late afternoon allowing . # 8 hours of good ventilation, with no
personnel in the vicinit*, $efore the shed is closed up for the night. Fans should
$e used to create circulation of air. The stac+ should then $e left at least until the
ne4t afternoon $efore the seed is moved. Monitor the gas levels at all times to
ensure the e4ternal gas levels are accepta$le.
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FUMIGATION
/.1 RE-OR. 0EEPING
!t is part of government regulation that the following records should $e +ept for
each fumigation7
;ames of all operators involved in the fumigation.
The location of the fumigation.
T*pe of storage.
T*pes and tonnes treated.
&ate and time.
&osage used.
Length of fumigation
Length of aeration.
Time of issue of declaration of clearance.
Records of all fumigation,s must $e +ept - Fumigation 'ontrol "heet ()W!
%ttachment ./#0.( for 1 *ears.
Note 1: &o not attempt fumigation if am$ient temperature is $elow .1.
"eed a$ove safe storage moisture should not $e fumigated as
there is a ris+ of germination $eing affected.
1 USING A .RAGER
1.1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For correct and effective use of the apparatus, and to avoid hazards, we would
point out the following7
%n* use of the apparatus re5uires precise +nowledge and o$servation of
these operation instructions.
The apparatus is intended onl* for the purposes specified in the :perating
Manual or for purposes confirmed in writing $* &ragerwer+ %.
The apparatus should $e inspected $* e4perts at regular time intervals. %n
official report of the inspections should $e drawn up.
:nl* original &rager spare parts should $e used for maintenance and
repairs. Repairs and maintenance, and the replacement of spare parts
should onl* $e carried out $* e4perts.
We recommend having inspections and repair wor+ carried out $* the
Technical 'ustomer "ervice of *our &rager Branch or %gent.
Regular inspection is $est ensured $* entering into an !nspection "ervice
'ontract with the Technical 'ustomer "ervice of *our &rager Branch or
%gent.
Responsi$ilit* for the relia$le function of the apparatus passes to the owner
of operator in all cases where the apparatus has $een ine4pertl*
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FUMIGATION
maintained or repaired $* persons not emplo*ed $* the &rager
:rganisation or where it has $een used in a manner which does not
conform to the normal conditions of use.
We would also point out that the national recommendations, regulations and
laws governing the use of technical e5uipment should $e o$served.
1./ SUMMAR2 OF OPERATING INSTRU-TIONS
.. 'hec+ the pump for lea+s $efore each series of measurement.
8. Brea+ off $oth tips of the &rager Tu$e in the $rea+#off e*elet in the $rea+#
off hus+.
<. Tightl* insert the &rager Tu$e in the pump head with the arrow pointing
towards the pump.
=. >old the pump as shown in.
1. Full* compress the $ellows.
?. "traighten the fingers. The suction process ta+es place automaticall* and
is completed when the limit chain is taut.
/. Repeat the suction process as often as specified in the Tu$e :perating
!nstructions.
@. 9valuate the indication as descri$ed in the Tu$e :perating !nstructions.
1.1 .ES-RIPTION OF T+E INSTRUMENT
The two essential components of the &rager Multi as &etector are the gas
detector pump (also called the $ellows pump( and &rager Tu$es chosen as a
function of the measurement to $e carried out. The pump and Tu$e together
form a complete unit. %ll the information given in &rager pu$lications on the
relia$ilit* of the indications is valid onl* when a &rager $ellows pump is used in
conAunction with &rager Tu$es.
Note:
!t is not permitted to com$ine these tu$es with pumps from other manufacturers,
since this ma* cause considera$le indicating errors.
"uch com$ination offends against e4isting regulations.
The &rager Multi as &etector Model 8.2<. consists of a carr*ing case container
the $ellows pump Model <., a carr*ing strap, a $rea+#off hus+, tools and spare
parts for maintenance of the pump, the !nstructions for Bse and a suppl* of
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FUMIGATION
ru$$er caps for sealing used detector tu$es. The case also has space for a
suppl* of detector tu$es and various accessories.
The $ellows pump simultaneousl* suc+s in and measures the gas volume. !t has
$een designed for ma4imum simplicit* and accurac*. The pump can easil* $e
operated with one hand and suc+s in .00cm< per stro+e.
1.3 USE OF T+E INSTRUMENT 4REA0ING-OFF T+E TIPS OF T+E TU4E
Brea+#off $oth tips of the &rager Tu$e in the $rea+#off hus+. This ensures that
glass splinters do not fall onto the floor.
1.5 INSERTING T+E .RAGER TU4E IN T+E PUMP
!nsert the opened &rager Tu$e in the pump head so that the arrow points
towards the pump. The Tu$e must fit firml* and tightl* in the pump head stopper
so that no $*#pass air can $e suc+ed in.
1.6 SU-0ING IN T+E GAS SAMP)E
>old the pump in the hand with the pump $etween the thum$ and the $ase of
the inde4 finger and the fingers resting on the front plate. 'ompress the $ellows
completel* and then release it.
When the $ellows is compressed, the air in it escapes through the outlet valve
and not through the Tu$e, since the Tu$e has a much higher resistance than the
outlet valve. The pump suction operation commences when the fingers are
rela4ed.
The compression springs inside the $ellows, which are placed under stress when
the $ellows is compressed, e4tend and the outlet valve is closed through the
vacuum created in the $ellows. The air flows through the &rager Tu$e into the
$ellows while the latter returns to its original volume. The volume of air suc+ed in
$* the &rager tu$e is defined $* the dimensions and stro+e of the $ellows. !t
amounts to .00cm< per stro+e. The end of the suction movement is reached
when the limit chain is completel* taut. "ince the suction of the pump is caused
onl* $* the rela4ation of the springs, an* su$Aective influence is e4cluded.
'onse5uentl*, the rate of flow of the air in the &rager Tu$e, which is decisive for
the accurac* of measurement, is determined e4clusivel* $* the spring force of
the pump and the resistance of the tu$e filling, which is fi4ed during
manufacture. To chec+ that testing ta+es place correctl*, see also the section on
C:perating timeC in the Tu$e :perating !nstructions.
When testing, ma+e the num$er of pump stro+es specified in the :perating
!nstructions for the Tu$e concerned.
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1.7 MAINTENAN-E OF T+E 4E))OWS PUMP )EA0 TESTING
!t is wise to chec+ the pump for lea+s ever* time it is used. To do this, seal the
pump with an unopened &rager Tu$e and completel* compress the $ellows.
The pump is sufficientl* air tight if the $ellows has not e4panded again
completel* after <0 minutes i.e. the limit chain is not taut. !t will then deliver the
volume re5uired.
1.7 E)IMINATING )EA0S
%n* lea+s can usuall* $e eliminated $* cleaning the valve. To do this, remove
the front plate and unscrew the valve using the special spanner. Raise the valve
disc to prevent it from $eing damaged $* the spanner. 'lean the valve $*
$lowing it through with air or $* rinsing it with water. &r* it after cleaning. !f the
ru$$er of the valve dis+ is stic+*, $rittle, hard or crac+ed, it must $e replaced.
Remove the pin from the valve seat stem and push in the pin of the new valve
disc until the disc lies flat against the valve seat. !t is $est to moisten the pin a
little first. When fitting the cover plate, ensure that the limit chain is not twisted
and that the fi4ing hoo+ lies on the longitudinal direction of the pump, so that it
fits satisfactoril* in the slot of the cover plate.
1.8 -)EANING OF T+E META) S-REEN
%fter prolonged use of the $ellows pump, the wire mesh sieve under the ru$$er
$ung in the pump head ma* $ecome $loc+ed. The sieve must, therefore, $e
cleaned from time to time, a$out ever* four wee+s when pump is used
fre5uentl*.
Loosen the two hole nut with the special spanner and remove the ru$$er $ung.
Ta+e out the sieve and clean it with a $rush under running water. When re#
inserting the two hold nut, tighten it onl* until the ru$$er $ung is Aust under stress
and the &rager Tu$e can $e inserted easil*, $ut tightl*.
1.19 F)US+ING T+E PUMP WIT+ AIR
&uring testing, certain tu$e t*pes give off vapors which pass into the interior of
the $ellows pump (eg. sulphuric acid mist(. To prevent corrosion, flush out the
pump with air $* ma+ing a few stro+es without a detector tu$e ever* time it has
$een used.
1.11 A--ESSORIES FOR T+E MU)TI GAS .ETE-TOR STRO0E -OUNTER
The stro+e counter automaticall* counts the stro+es made with the pump
(counting range 0 # .D(. !t is pushed onto the pump head.
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FUMIGATION
1.1/ E:TENSION +OSE FOR INA--ESSI4)E POINTS OF MEASUREMENT
For inaccessi$le points of measurement, we recommend the use of the
e4tension hose. :ne end of the e4tension hose is e5uipped with a device
permitting eas* connection of the hose to the $ellows pump. The dimensions of
the tu$e holder at the end of the hose are chosen in such a wa* that the &rager
Tu$es can $e inserted in a gas tight manner (for lea+ testing, see page .?(. The
e4tension hose is <m long and is made from a s*nthetic ru$$er which is resistant
to petrol.
1.11 FOR .RAGER TU4ES
&o not carelessl* discard used or date e4pired detector tu$es.
The filling preparations used in detector tu$es consist of an inert reagent carrier
(eg. sillicagel, aluminium o4ide, aluminium silicate(, which is impregnated with
the indicating reagent. %lthough the amounts of reagents in detector tu$es are
ver* small (usuall* of the order of micrograms or milligrams(, the tu$es should $e
carefull* destro*ed # in accordance with the regulations in force.
The conditions for satisfactor* disposal of detector tu$es can $e created $*
CneutralisingC the reagents present in the tu$es $* means of chemical reactions.
The following procedure has proved satisfactor* for detector tu$es which contain
acid filling preparations.
The open tu$e (in the case of ampoule tu$es, the ampoule must also $e
opened( is placed in a container of water. % little soda or lime is added to the
water to neutralise the reagents.
>owever, local conditions or official regulations must alwa*s $e o$served $efore
throwing awa* detector tu$es or there filling preparations (even after
neutralisation(.
3 FUMIGATION OF SI)OS USING P+OSP+INE
The $asic process for fumigating a silo is the same as stac+ fumigating. !t must
$e carried out $* a licensed fumigator.
"eal the silo $* closing all out lets including access doors, discharge doors and
aerators. )lace a 3Fumigation magnet on the "ilo $oard in the Bul+ "eed
ManagerEs office to indicate the silo is under fumigation. !f the silo is not
completel* seala$le then e4tra precaution must $e ta+en to ma+e the
surrounding area safe as well as the silo. )lace signage stating Danger
Fumigation in Progress" and high visi$ilit* tape stating 3Danger - No EntryF
around silo to prevent entr* into the silo during the fumigation period.
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FUMIGATION
'alculate the correct dosage for the capacit* of the silo according to the la$el
rate and whether the silo is sealed or not.
)ut on )ersonal )rotective 95uipment to open )hosphine canister. :nl* open
the canister in a well ventilated area. "pread out ta$lets on tra* and suspend
a$ove the grain inside top access lid. !mmediatel* seal the lid and place a sign
stating Danger Fumigation in Progress".
:nce the fumigation period is complete, measure the gas concentration level
$efore entr*. !f fitted with an aerator start the aerator to disperse the gas from
the silo. 9nsure that the discharged air is $elow the TLG. 9nter the silo onl* once
the )hosphine concentration is $elow the TLG. :pen the top access lid and
remove the residue from the silo.
&ilute the residue in a water and detergent mi4 to ensure all gas has dispersed
from the residue. )lace the residue in the specified residue waste drum (Red
wheelie $in(. Remove "ignage from silo. From time to time the residue waste
drum should $e emptied. &rain the li5uid into the chemical sump pit and dispose
of the solid waste in the general ru$$ish $in.
ATTA-+MENTS
%ttachment . # '%F /.=20. Fumigation 'ontrol "heet
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