Lane Tredway and Steve Dorer, Syngenta Lawn and Garden

Over the next 2 years, we will see major changes to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) that accompany pesticides and other chemicals in the workplace. Back in 2012, OSHA adopted a new labeling standard for hazardous chemicals to conform with the United Nations\' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The purpose of the GHS is to provide simplified and consistent information to employees about the hazards they may encounter in the workplace. In conjunction with this change, MSDSs will now be simply referred to as Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs.

Manufacturers will be required to use the new SDS format by June 1, 2015, but some are already using it, including us at Syngenta. Since employees may soon encounter a new SDS, all employers were required to provide training on the new format by December 1, 2013. If you haven't done this yet, put it to the top of your to-do list in 2014!

As a supervisor, you need to inform your employees about the new format, review the 16 sections that comprise an SDS, explain how the document can help with the safe use, storage, and disposal of the product, and explain how to use the document in case of a spill or accidental exposure.

There are many training materials available on the web that can help you to complete this training. For example, the GCSAA offers an on-demand webinar www.gcsaa.org and a training checklist. For an example of an SDS for a typical turf product, one is available for Daconil Action at GreenCast Online www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/msds/03_2989509102013.pdf

Note that the new standard does not apply to pesticide labels, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, not OSHA. The EPA is evaluating if and how it will conform to the Globally Harmonized System in the future. In the meantime, the different formats may lead to some confusion, particularly over signal words. As we all know, pesticide labels may contain one of three signal words (Caution, Warning, or Danger), but SDSs will use only two signal words (Warning or Danger). As a result, you may encounter products that have different signal words on the label versus the SDS. This isn't because the toxicity of the product changed, but rather because the two documents use different criteria to classify products. Manufacturers have the option to explain and clarify these differences in Section 15 of the SDS.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2014!