Purpose
These requirements clarify responsibilities and ensure compliance with OSHA Hazard Communication (HazCom) and EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulations when chemicals are brought to USU agricultural locations by visiting research groups.
Scope
Applies to all chemicals—including pesticides, fertilizers, and other hazardous substances—brought onto USU research farm sites by lab groups or external researchers. These requirements cover chemicals applied or handled by researchers only; chemicals handled or stored by farm employees are covered under separate agricultural Hazard Communication programs.
Responsibility for Chemicals
- The visiting research group is responsible for the safe use, handling, and disposal of their chemicals.
- Farm employees are not responsible for these chemicals unless explicitly assigned to handle, apply, or enter treated areas during active applications (within 30 days).
SDS Access and Storage
- Researchers and visiting groups must ensure that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all pesticide chemicals brought by them and applied on-site are readily available to all employees who may be exposed.
- SDSs must be readily available on-site (hard copy or electronic) for any employees who may be exposed.
- Chemicals used by visiting researchers are not added to the farm’s inventory unless they are stored or regularly used by farm staff.
Chemical Application Notification
- Research groups must notify farm management in advance of any chemical application or exposure risk.
- Notification should include chemical name, application location, date, and restricted entry intervals (REI), if applicable.
- Central Posting location at the site must be updated with application information if a WPS-labeled or Restricted-Use pesticide product has been applied or a restricted-entry interval (REI) for such pesticide has been in effect. Information posted must include:
- Name of the pesticide applied, Active ingredient(s), EPA registration number, REI, Crop or plot treated, Location and description of the treated area(s), and Date(s) and times application started and ended.
- Hazard information (SDS) for each pesticide applied.
Compliance with Regulations
- Visiting groups must follow all federal, state, university, and unit requirements or regulations that apply to their groups.
- All chemical containers must be labeled in accordance with federal and state requirements.
- If a lab or research group works with hazardous chemicals of any nature, then either a Chemical Hygiene Plan OR Hazard Communication Program must exist for that group.
Post-Use Requirements
- Unused chemicals and containers must be removed from the farm site after use unless prior storage approval is granted.
- Any spills, accidents, or exposures must be reported immediately to farm management and USU Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
- Small spills: Responsible employee must clean up using proper materials.
- Large spills: Responsible employee must call 911, remain on site for HazMat responders, and report the incident to the farm manager and EH&S.
Acknowledgment
All researchers or visiting groups using chemicals at USU agricultural sites must sign and submit acknowledgment of these requirements before beginning work.