What should you do if you notice equipment leakage during application?

• A. Stop application, repair the leak, isolate the area, and clean up spills following label directions; resume only after safe.
• B. Continue applying with reduced pressure.
• C. Ignore it and continue.
• D. Switch to a different field.

Answer: (A)

When you notice a leak during spraying, the priority is safety and preventing environmental harm. A leak can cause unpredictable application, increase exposure risk to yourself and others, and contaminate water or soil, so you should address it before continuing.

Stop the application and shut down the sprayer, then isolate the area to keep people and bystanders away. Repair the leak if you’re trained and authorized to do so; if not, stop and call for service. Clean up spills exactly as the label directs—contain the spill, use absorbent materials, prevent runoff, and dispose of contaminated materials properly. Check that the equipment is decontaminated and restored to proper operation, then proceed only after you’ve confirmed it’s safe and there are no leaks.

Continuing with reduced pressure isn’t safe because the system is compromised and pesticide distribution won’t be reliable, increasing drift and exposure risk. Ignoring the leak or switching fields doesn’t fix the problem and can spread contamination or create new hazards.