During an application operation, when must pilots wear personal protective equipment?

Pilots must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while making nozzle adjustments because this process involves potential exposure to pesticides and other chemicals that can be hazardous to health. Nozzle adjustments can happen before takeoff or during the operation, and since the chemicals used in aerial application can pose risks through skin contact or inhalation, it is critical for pilots to don appropriate PPE during these adjustments to ensure their safety.

In contrast, wearing PPE only while making aerial applications, only in the cockpit, or only during mixing and loading does not take into account the exposure risk that can occur during equipment adjustments. Proper safety protocols necessitate that pilots take precautions during all phases of an application operation, particularly those moments when they may be handling or working closely with application equipment that comes into contact with chemicals.