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Organic pesticides and herbicides and safety
Rank: Super forum user 
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Afternoon all. How can I get across to people that the use of organic pesticides and herbicides should still be subject of a COSHH assessment and that the word 'organic' does not necessarily equate to it being safe to use without PPE? Do you know of any reliable H&S guidance on the use of organic pesticides etc for items bought off the shelf and, (dare I say it), homemade concoctions!? Or am I going too far in insisting on an assessment - I am in need of a sanity check. Have a nice weekend, I am in need of one!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Organic in the modern "green" sense tends to mean stuff of natural origin. This of course will include pigeon droppings, decomposed animal carcasses and the like.
Organic in the chemical sense includes the entire carbon-based range of substances from methane and ethanol to complex polymers and lovely stuff such as DDT.
Organic does most definitely NOT mean safe or healthy.
Take a look at the constituents of the mixtures in use and frighten them with extracts from the relevant data sheets. Then they may be more inclined to treat them with respect and assess the exposure risks properly, using appropriate controls.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You may well be over-thinking it. Are any of the products deemed hazardous for supply? Are there any warning markings on containers? I wouldn't be looking for assessment for use of a garlic candle for example.
Any doubts, best recourse is to speak with supplier or manufacturer.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Point them at the Biocidal Products Regulations more info on the ECHA web site.
Come September there will be a restriction on the active Substances for specific uses which are expected to be of EU supply
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Rank: Super forum user
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Point them at the Biocidal Products Regulations more info on the ECHA web site.
Come September there will be a restriction on the active Substances for specific uses which are expected to be of EU supply
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Rank: Super forum user
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As an aside to this thread, Ron Hunter's mention of garlic candles prompts me to comment that though such candles are not very bright lumen-wise , they are reputedly brilliant at keeping the locations where they are used totally free from vampires!!!! :-)
Graham B
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sodden from the attempt at the great British BBQ certain DIY retailers market claims about citronella candles require closer scrutiny according to the twenty insect bites I am currently scratching.
But as follow up BPR references REACH and CLP which link back to the protection of workers directive from which our COSHH regulations are derived.
Looking at the active Substances in BPR under current classification methods all have hazards necessitating an assessment.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sodden from the attempt at the great British BBQ certain DIY retailers market claims about citronella candles require closer scrutiny according to the twenty insect bites I am currently scratching.
But as follow up BPR references REACH and CLP which link back to the protection of workers directive from which our COSHH regulations are derived.
Looking at the active Substances in BPR under current classification methods all have hazards necessitating an assessment.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Actually garlic is a well established skin sensitiser. If you cut a clove of fresh garlic in half and rub the cut surface on the palm of someone's hand for about 30 seconds, then in about 4 minutes you will smell it on their breath, i.e. from skin contact it has reached the respiratory system.
Studies also show that airborne exposure to some chemicals at well below the WEL can actually initiate immune responses in already sensitised persons!
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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herbicides would come with some sort of MSDS and COSHH advice, so I am assuming you are talking about something else. Concentrated acetic acid (Vinegar) is commonly used now, which burns the weed, although not actually killing it.
Can you elaborate on what is being used.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There are some links on a previous thread : http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...spx?g=posts&t=110167It has links which may take you somewhere you can get the info specifically about organic herbicide. If not it may make you laugh or cry. Ps - of course you need a COSHH assessment but you know this, and possibly a licence if you spray it. Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Following Chris's link brings mention of Glyophosate from August 2013 This is currently subject to consultation on harmonised classification and labelling which will, if adopted, affect all products containing this specific substance: http://echa.europa.eu/vi...-proposal-for-glyphosate
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Rank: Super forum user
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Following Chris's link brings mention of Glyophosate from August 2013 This is currently subject to consultation on harmonised classification and labelling which will, if adopted, affect all products containing this specific substance: http://echa.europa.eu/vi...-proposal-for-glyphosate
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