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Competency Area 8: Protecting Humans from Pesticide Exposure

PO 54. Recognize that Material Safety Data Sheets are the best source of information concerning level of toxicity, handling precautions, first aid procedures, and other safety information.

A material safety data sheet (MSDS) is an information sheet containing the properties of a pesticide. They are an important part of workplace safety, intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling a substance in a safe manner. MSDS will include physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill handling procedures.