BROOKINGS -- Reading pesticide labels and following instructions about protective clothing is a key step in handling pesticides safely, a South Dakota State University specialist said.

"Somewhere on every label there's a section that indicates the specific protective clothing that needs to be used," said Jim Wilson, SDSU Extension's coordinator for pesticide education. "Go through those labels and be certain that you have purchased adequate amounts of those particular items."

It's up to applicators to find out what the label requires and then follow the guidelines to stay safe, Wilson said.

Gloves can be a special concern, since hands can easily come in contact with spray when producers are working on spray equipment. A recent study indicates that using pesticide resistant gloves can cut exposure to certain pesticides by 70 percent. Check out different sizes of gloves by different manufacturers until you find a pair that fits, and then be sure to wear them, Wilson said.

He added that the best way to determine what size protective gloves you wear is to use a tape measure to measure in inches around the palm of your hand.

A measurement of between 8 and 9 inches means a medium-sized glove will probably fit you best; a measurement of 11 inches suggests an extra large.