Introduction
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, (COSHH),1994 come under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and as such give a legal duty to anyone working with hazardous substances to evaluate the risk to health and to eliminate or adequately control such risks.
HAZARD - The intrinsic potential of a substance to cause harm.
RISK - The likelihood of harm being caused in the actual circumstances of use.
Many pesticides are classed as hazardous and so a COSHH assessment should always be carried out. In gaining Approval under FEPA from the Pesticide Safety Directorate the hazards of a pesticide are evaluated and appear on the label, but it is the way the product is used which determines the risk involved and is the reason why each use needs a separate assessment.

Roundup Pro Biactive has no hazard rating, but its use must still be evaluated under COSHH.

You should always choose the safest product available.

By carrying out a COSHH assessment you demonstrate you have thought through fully the safety aspects of your weed control operations. You must know why you have chosen Roundup Pro Biactive rather than any other method of weed control.

On This Page... Introduction Product Detail Product Toxicity Key Facts Summary Occupational Exposure Standard Chronic Toxicity: Active Ingredient - Glyphosate Personal Protective Equipment Disposal of Pesticides Unused Diluted Spray Empty Containers In Case of Spill or Accident Incident Reporting

The following information about Roundup Pro Biactive will help in conducting a COSHH assessment. Monsanto recommend the Crop Protection Association Plain Man's guide to COSHH (CPA,1989) to work through the process. Once written it will only need to be repeated if circumstances change, however it must be reviewed at least every 5 years and preferably annually. More details are included in the Orange Code (The Code of Practice for use of Approved pesticides in Amenity and Industrial areas, NAAC, CPA, 1998)

Product Detail
480g/l Isopropylamine salt of N-(Phosphonomethyl), glycine = (Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate),
Containing 360g/l of glyphosate 41% w/w
Surfactants 16%
Water 43%
CAS No. 3841-94-0 EINECS No 254-056-8

Product Toxicity Key Facts
A Full Material Safety Data Sheet is available from your distributor or from Monsanto.

Summary
Hazard Rating - None

Acute Oral Toxicity:
World Health Organisation (WHO) toxicity rating - not classified. Roundup Pro Biactive is practically non-harmful by ingestion.

Acute Dermal Toxicity:
World Health Organisation (WHO) toxicity rating - not classified. Roundup Pro Biactive is practically non-harmful by skin absorbtion.

Acute Inhalation:
No risk in normal use situations.
Sensitisation:
No sensitising potential. i.e. No allergic reaction.

Occupational Exposure Standard
Roundup Pro Biactive is non-hazardous, there is no OES and no specified need to monitor the health of users of Roundup Pro Biactive herbicide.

Chronic Toxicity: Active Ingredient - Glyphosate
The results of long-term studies, which assess the risk of long term low dose exposure, show that glyphosate is:

The data from extensive studies confirm that if used according to the label instructions, Roundup Pro Biactive does not constitute a hazard to human health.

Practical Guidance to Avoid Exposure

Try not to walk through the spray swath during application or through treated vegetation.

Personal Protective Equipment
1. Best practice is to wear the following minimum personal protective equipment when handling the concentrate and spraying using the conventional sprayers.
Protective coverall (e.g. Tyvek disposable overall)
Rubber gloves
Rubber boots
2. In addition to 1. when using the Stem Injection Tecnique
Face protection, (Face shield)
3. In addition to 1. when using mist blowers and making drift applications
Face protection, (Face shield with disposable filtering face piece)

Disposal of Pesticides
Storage of Unused Concentrate
Unused product should be stored only in the original container. It will keep for several years in a suitable chemical store.

Unused Diluted Spray
Ideally plan not to have any left over, or use later in making the next batch of diluted spray.

Once diluted the active ingredient will start to break down and lose activity within a few days. Surplus spray should be sprayed out onto an untreated area where it will have a beneficial herbicidal effect, but not on Tarmac or concrete. The basis of COSHH is to avoid contact with the chemical.

Empty Containers
Empty cans of Roundup Pro Biactive should be triple rinsed and stored safely until transferred to someone authorised to handle waste. A more detailed sheet on disposal is available from the Technical Helpline on 01223 849540.

In Case of Spill or Accident
First Aid:
Skin; Wash with water
Contaminated clothing; Remove and wash before reuse.
Eye contact; Rinse with plenty of potable water/sterile eye wash solution.
Wearing gloves and a coverall, wash away small spills with plenty of water. For larger spills surround the area with sufficient absorbent, non-combustible material such as sand bags to prevent entry into drains.

Then sweep or shovel into suitable Aluminium, plastic, plastic-lined steel, stainless steel or fiberglass containers, label and seal. Containers should be collected by an appropriately authorised /licensed specialist waste disposal operator.

Further Information
Incident Reporting
Any incident involving humans or pets should be investigated as soon as possible. Telephone 01223 849540 during office hours or the National Chemical Emergency Centre, 01865 407333 at other times.