15.17 Inventories

15.17.1 An up-to-date inventory of all pesticides in storage shall be maintained. Containers must be dated when received and to the extent possible the shelf-life of the pesticide identified. The inventory list is to be kept in a separate location and made available to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee.

15.18 Labelling

15.18.1 As required under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), all pesticides shall be kept in original containers with the original label intact.

15.19 Monitoring

15.19.1 Procedures involving the use of pesticides, either in the laboratory or in general field application, shall be monitored at regular intervals by the responsible authority within the department to ensure that prescribed safety procedures are being followed. If an independent survey or health investigation is considered advisable at any time, a written request should be submitted to the appropriate Regional Officer, Medical Service Branch of Health Canada in accordance with TB Manual, Chapter 4-2 (Occupational Health Investigations - Surveys).

15.19.2 The Joint Occupational Safety and Health Committee shall be advised of Health and Safety investigations prior to their being conducted. All reports and data from monitoring should be made available to the Occupational Safety and Health Committee or the Safety and Health Representative.

15.20 Housekeeping

15.20.1 Appropriate good housekeeping shall be followed in all areas where pesticides are mixed, stored or handled. This includes the maintenance of absolute cleanliness of the workplace and the use of approved waste disposal facilities and techniques including adherence to the requirements of Safety Directive 18, Sanitation.

15.21 Education and training

15.21.1 Departments shall ensure that the qualified persons who use, handle, mix and dispose of pesticides are licensed or certified in accordance with a provincial or national program.

15.21.2 In addition, departments shall, in consultation with the health and safety committee or the health and safety representative, develop and implement a workplace education program for qualified persons. This program shall include the concepts and principles of the departmental IPM program and instruction related to specific pesticides used in the workplace, their hazards as outlined on labels, MSDS, and manufacturer's literature and the protection required for qualified persons to perform their duties and first aid and emergency procedures pertinent to pesticide use.

15.21.3 The workplace education program referred to above shall be reviewed, in consultation with the health and safety committee or the health and safety representative, at least once a year, whenever new pesticides are about to be introduced in the workplace, and when new hazard information about a pesticide becomes available.

15.22 First aid

15.22.1 First aid instructions, and emergency procedures as detailed on the product label, the MSDS, and in manufacturer's literature shall be followed for suspected pesticide poisoning. Procedures shall be displayed prominently in all areas where pesticides are stored, handled, used, disposed of, and where decontamination is carried out.

15.22.2 Emergency telephone numbers for first aid attendants, for the local poison control centre and for the Occupational and Environmental Health Services Directorate, Health Canada shall be prominently displayed.

15.23 Personnel monitoring

15.23.1 All personnel engaged regularly in work involving the handling of pesticides shall be examined in accordance with the provisions of TB Manual, Chapter 2-13, Occupational Health Evaluation.