4 A farmer stores several types of farm chemicals in a building on the farm. (a) Describe four features that a chemical store on a farm should have to ensur...

(a) Four features of a safe chemical store (any four): [4]

1. Locked door to prevent unauthorised access, especially by children who might accidentally handle or ingest chemicals. [1]
2. Good ventilation to prevent the build-up of toxic fumes inside the building, which could harm anyone entering the store. [1]
3. Dry floor and raised shelves to prevent containers from sitting in damp conditions where they could rust, corrode or leak chemicals into the ground. [1]
4. Location away from living areas, food stores and water sources to prevent contamination of drinking water, food, or exposure to family members. [1]

Other acceptable features include: fire-resistant construction with a fire extinguisher nearby; warning signs displayed on the door; separate shelf areas for herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to avoid confusion; and spill containment such as a concrete bund or drip tray.

(b) Original containers are specifically designed to safely hold the chemical they contain. Transferring chemicals to other containers (such as drink bottles or food tins) risks leaks, chemical reactions with incompatible materials, and creates a serious poisoning hazard if someone mistakes the contents. [1] The label on the original container provides essential information including the active ingredient name, the correct application rate, safety precautions, first aid instructions, and the pre-harvest interval. [1] Without the label, a user could apply the wrong chemical to a crop, use the wrong dose, or fail to take appropriate safety measures - any of which could cause crop damage, environmental harm, or human poisoning. [1]