Pesticides are playing a pivotal role in meeting the increase in food consumption and cotton fiber demand for escalating population and control of vector-borne diseases. However, most of the applied pesticides get dispersed in the environment and affect the health of unprotected pesticide occupational workers. So, this study was designed to assess the understanding level of pesticide labels, their field application practices, and observance of safety procedures among farmers and pesticide applicators at Sohag Governorate, Egypt. In-depth field surveys were undertaken with 550 workers and complemented by focus group discussions, interviews, questionnaires, and field observation. Obtained data revealed that 65 % of farmers follow agriculture rotation, while majority of participants are reading the pesticide labels. Also, results showed that the insecticides were the highest used (41.7%) followed by herbicides (38.6%) and fungicides (19.7%) Organophosphates were the most frequently used pesticides followed by neonicotinoid and pyrothrid then carbamates. According to WHO pesticides toxicity classification, slightly hazardous compounds belonged to class U (unlikely to pose an acute hazard in normal use) were the most frequently used in study region followed by the moderately hazardous compounds (class II). 49.8% of the respondents claimed immediate health hazards after pesticide application. Also, about two third of participants referred they did not wear the personal protective equipments (PPE) because its high cost, while 32 % of them reported that it's discomfortable. The awareness of farm workers and authorities needs to be increased regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and correct storage procedures, handling, disposing of pesticides and empty containers.