Product Stewardship Program
For the Safe And Proper Handling of Pesticide Products
 Statement on Nature of Business Concerns
Planters Products Inc. is a responsible corporate business entity and is committed to ensuring the safe and proper handling of its crop protection product portfolio.
Planters Products Inc. is duly licensed by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to engage in the business of importation and distribution, formulation and repacking of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers
Planters Products Inc. is committed to communicate the product stewardship program with its distributors, clients and end-users to ensure that the crop protection products offered are handled, stored, transferred and used properly in the field.
Planters Products Inc. will coordinate with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority all activities related to the handling and safe use of crop protection products.
Planters Products Inc. is duly licensed by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to engage in the business of importation and distribution, formulation and repacking of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers
Statement of Adherence
Planters Products Inc. will ensure that its products are handled properly and workers are protected during storage, transit, application and disposal. Our company will submit a report covering the volume and the quantity of the products imported and distributed, the numbers of workers involved, safety precautions employed, waste management and disposal methods, including the residue levels in the wastes emitted/disposed, etc.
Planters Products Inc. is committed to provide the necessary training on the safe handling and use of its products (including waste disposal) to distributors, dealers and users following FPA approved modules. A yearly report which includes annual training schedules shall be submitted to FPA
Planters Products Inc. shall provide information on the importance of using Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) such as aprons, gloves, masks and boots to users and distributors of its products
Planters Products Inc. is committed to provide information services to the public and the nature and scope of these services shall be subject to FPA approval
Planters Products Inc. will report to FPA information adversely affecting the safe use of its products when such information has become known.
Planters Products Inc. agrees to stop the sale of and recall its product, which has been found or deemed unsafe for use under any directions or restrictions by FPA. Our company will share in the expenses that might be incurred in the retrieval and proper disposal of the recalled products.
Safety Precautions Employed in the Formulation / Repacking of Products
A. First Aid and Personnel Exposure
All personnel in the repacking/formulation of products are instructed regarding the inherent risks and hazards as well as the symptoms of poisoning, antidote and first aid prior to deployment. Information about the product such as usage, active material, ingredients and application are also discussed. The use of protective clothing such as masks, gloves, apron and other work clothes while repacking/formulating is a must to protect workers from exposure to chemicals.
The clinic provides first aid facility to treat injury. The plant doctor, nurse and the two (2) trained first aiders are in-charge for initial care and safe transport of the patient to the nearest hospital if needed.
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are available in strategic locations such as plant clinic, laboratory, warehouse, production and office area.
B. Safe Handling and Use of the Product
Prior to actual repacking and / or formulation of the product, safe and proper handling is imparted to the workers. The Production Supervisor, Safety Engineer and Plant Nurse make rounds and inspection to oversee the smooth and proper operation of the plant as well as the performance of the workers. They ensure that the tasks at hand are accomplished without compromising health and well being of the workers.
C. Personnel Safety
Three units of emergency eyewash and shower are installed at the production area for use in case of accidental splashing of chemicals. Portable eyewash units are also provided in the laboratory, clinic and Xylene tank area.
A spill kit which consists of saw dusts, broomstick and dustpan is always available in the production area to contain chemical spills. Contaminated saw dust are temporarily stored in the decontamination area and subject for hauling by a treater.
Fourteen (14) portable fire extinguishers are strategically distributed around the building and four (4) fire cabinets with hose and nozzle are installed near the entrance and the building back areas in case of fire.
A spill kit which consists of saw dusts, broomstick and dustpan is always available in the production area to contain chemical spills. Contaminated saw dust are temporarily stored in the decontamination area and subject for hauling by a treater.
Employees are trained on the proper operation of fire extinguishers and fire hose. Regular fire drills are also conducted to ensure emergency preparedness of employees.
Personal Protective Equipment such as aprons, full face and half face respirators, gloves, safety shoes, rubber boots, safety goggles, safety hats and bonnets are provided to safeguard the health of the personnel.
All production personnel are required to leave their PPE’s in the locker area and designated PPE receptacles prior to going inside the office area or going out of the plant. All production workers are also required to change to their PPE’s prior to work and to take showers after work.
All employees undergo regular cholinesterase testing to monitor effects of exposure to chemicals. A part-time physician and a regular nurse is been hired to monitor health of personnel. Semi-annual general physical examinations are also conducted. All Plant employees are issued daily vitamins and supplements such as ascorbic acid and liveraide.
Behavior Based Safety (BBS) Program is being implemented in the plant. BBS is an injury prevention process that focuses on at-risk behavior that can lead to injuries and on safe behaviors that can contribute to injury prevention. Employees are regularly coached to eliminate at-risk behavior and strengthen safe behavior to prevent possible injuries. Personnel performance is monitored for continual improvement of this program.
Waste Management and Disposal Method
A. Pollution Control
Fume Scrubbing System – All equipment which are likely sources of fumes are provided with exhaust hoods to prevent the fumes from escaping into the environment. The fumes are sucked by an exhaust assembly and transported through a scrubber. Air flow through the scrubber is horizontal with a 166.6 m3/min fpm for actual wet flue gas flow rate and 158.86 m3/min fpm for dry normal flue gas through the bed section for efficient washing action. Water flow is vertical downward coming from a PVC pipe header. Water is recirculated through a chemical resistant water pump. Water is introduced to the first 2/3 of the packed bed of the scrubber while remaining 1/3 acts as mist and droplets eliminator. The water is replaced when its toxic load is already high and is pumped to the water treatment sump pit. From the scrubber the washed air passes through an activated carbon filter assembly to remove odor and is released to the atmosphere through the smokestack.
The air emission is conducted every second year which shall consist of three sampling runs. The parameters being analyzed include Particulate Matter (PM) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
Wastewater Treatment System – The spent water from the scrubber as well as washings from the formulation area, clinic and laboratory are collected in the sump pit and then pumped to the water treatment tanks (3 units) where caustic soda, coagulant (Polyaluminum Chloride Yellow), and flocculant (anionic polymer) are added to remove any toxicity. The treated water is discharged to the sewer manhole of CIP I that is connected to the Centralized Waste Water Treatment Facility (CWTF) of the industrial park. It is ensured that the effluent passes CIP I standards prior to discharge. Regular monitoring of the effluent characteristics is also conducted. The sludge collected from the sludge holding tank was stored in a drum and subject for treatment by DENR Accredited Treater.
The wastewater sampling is conducted quarterly by Carmelray Industrial Park I (CIP I) accredited laboratory to determine compliance to the effluent regulations of the park. The parameters that are being analyzed include pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), color, oil and grease and surfactant.
Dust Collection System – All dust generated in the process are sucked towards the filter system wherein the air and the excess dust are separated. The excess dusts are then collected through the dustpans. The filtered air is then released to the atmosphere and the excess dust is recycled back to the process.
The plant building is also provided with 14 units exhaust fans which are strategically installed along its walls for ventilation.
B. Storage and Disposal
Used drums and other hazardous wastes from the formulation area and repacking area are transferred to the Hazardous Waste Decontamination Area located at the back of the plant building for temporary storage. The generated hazardous wastes including contaminated drums, sacks, plastic sheets, fiber kegs, saw dusts and cartons are properly labeled in accordance to the labeling requirements of DENR. Hazwastes are hauled and treated by DENR Accredited Treater. Once the treatment is completed, a Certificate of Treatment (COT) was issued to PPI to ensure that proper treatment and disposal have been conducted.
Waste minimization and proper waste segregation programs are being implemented to reduce wastes that are generated prior to treatment, storage and disposal.
Training and Safe Handling and Use
Through our Customer Support Representatives (CSR) and Field Specialists (FS), demonstrations on the safe and proper application of our products to farmers are being conducted. In our promotional field activities like farmer’s meeting, caravans and farmer’s calls, the advantages and benefits of our products are presented to individual farmers. Our FS also conducts lecture on the proper storage and handling of the product as well as the precautionary instructions on the label in their farmer’s meeting activities. In our product launchings and seminar, technical information, proper use and application of each of our products are presented through our Product Development Specialist.
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