The effects of pesticides on agricultural workers and precautions for reducing of these effects

In our country, which has different climate and soil diversity, there is a rich variety of agricultural products. It is known that many plants grown in our soil and economically important are required to be struggled against a wide range of pests. The most common and most practical method of combating harms, diseases and weeds that cause product losses and reduce productivity is the use of plant protection products. Many health problems that arise during working in agriculture are associated with exposure to commonly used plant protection products. These health problems include acute or chronic diseases; carcinogenic, immunologic, neurotoxic and reproductive effects. when these effects are considered, it is clear that the use of pesticides (plant protection products) on workers and the precautions necessary to prevent these effects should be evaluated in a comprehensive manner. The majority of agriculture workers in our country are included in The occupational health and safety legislation in 2012 with the Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety, but there is still no detailed sub-legislation for the use of agrochemicals in agriculture sector. With this thesis, it is aimed to establish a resource for all the precautions to be taken in the use of pesticides in agriculture sector. In this thesis, a comprehensive literature and legislative research has been carried out primarily with regard to the effects of pesticides in general and precautions to be taken when working with pesticides. As a result of the research results, the precautions to be taken at all stages of working with pesticides and good practices are given in detail. As a result of the thesis work, a checklist is presented which is intended to prevent exposure to agricultural chemicals for use in studies in the agricultural sector and which significantly reduces exposure when used during work. Keywords: Agrochemicals, Occupational Health and Safety, Pesticides