If you have a winery or vineyard, you deal with various chemicals. Even though it may seem trivial or redundant, your operation should have a training program in place to teach all those who come in contact with these chemicals how to properly handle them. Anyone who deals with chemicals should have read, and be able to follow labeled directions. Review meetings are a must, and signed documents should be able to show that individuals understand these instructions and procedures. They should be able to follow the use, disposal of or treatment to the chemical exposure. They should always use proper personal protection gear such as gloves, masks, and aprons, just to mention a few. If a problem should arise, the employer should be able to show that the employee was trained and understood the Material Safety Data Sheets.
Now, all employers who have employees who package, handle, transfer, or store chemicals are required to train their employees on new labels and Safety Data Sheets by December 1, 2013.
Changes have recently been made so that there is a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS has 87 standard statements for hazards, such as “extremely flammable hazard”. It will also have 150 standard precautionary statements, such as “use in well ventilated area”.
These new Safety Data Sheets will have information of greatest concern to employees at the beginning of the document. There will be 16 sections that will give a uniform format for all SDS that are in the same order.
Producers of chemicals will have a three year phase-in period to switch labels and change Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) to a standard 16 part Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Employees are required to be trained so they will be aware of the new format for labels and safety data sheets since they will start to appear in the workplace.
Current labels and MSDS sheets will be in compliance until the producers change their labels and Safety Data Sheets.
Best practices dictate that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS ) should be in a folder that is easily accessible to anyone involved with the chemicals. It is a good idea to have two sets of MSDS, one in a work area and one in an office area. If the one set is compromised by chemicals or not easily available then the office copy can be used to reference. If a cell call comes in from the worksite of a problem then the office copy can be used for those important phone numbers. A MSDS folder with colored tabs on the sections can save valuable time.
With the new Safety Data Sheets (SDS), all parts of each one have the information in the same order for easier access.
With training, proper safety equipment, and available MSDS and SDS, there is protection for both the operation and the employee. For more information go to www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom or www.iowaworkforce.org/labor.