ASGi handbook aims to keep synthetic turf companies out of Prop 65 hot water
9 Oct, 2008 LM Direct!If you sell artificial turf system components into the State of California, don't risk being notified you have violated Proposition 65 laws or are not OSHA compliant.
The Association of Synthetic Grass Installers (ASGi) recently published "Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market," a digital handbook of frequently asked questions, lists of resources and associated relevant clear and reasonable warning examples regarding California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65).
The "Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market," handbook is a survival guide for companies doing business in the state of California - many who were caught unaware of these highly precautionary policies or are under lawsuits or notices of violation by California State Attorney General, Jerry Brown's offices and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH).
The handbook is a broad source of information to help manufacturers, distributors and installers of artificial turf systems sort through the complexities of the law's requirements and recent allegations that some components may expose workers and consumers to lead, and other hazardous substances, while using artificial grass and synthetic turf systems for sports fields, lawns, landscape and putting greens. It outlines the responsibilities and potential liabilities of companies doing business in the state of California under Prop 65 and gives the reader a roadmap of what to do to insure that their company is not at risk of legal action by the state or private citizens. It also covers related federal legislation that defines a company's need to know about the lead contents of their products to insure a safe workplace for their employees and that they are delivering safe products into any American market, not only the State of California.
Some of the questions the handbook answers include:
· What is Prop 65 and it's scope. Who has to warn and how.
· Why the artificial turf market has been "targeted" under the law.
· What a manufacturer, supplier or installer MUST do to comply and what happens if they don't.
· What is the most common mistake companies make that receive a Notice of Violation.
· Samples of appropriate MSDS, warning signs, letters and correspondence .
· A list of over 20 chemicals controlled under Prop 65 that need clear and reasonable warnings that may be found in any artificial turf system..
· Copies of current 60-day Notices of Violation and the complaints filed on top manufacturers.
· A download index page of legislation, studies and related information for support.
The handbook is available online at http://www.asgi.us/prop65 and can be immediately downloaded as a digital PDF file (MAC & PC friendly). ASGi members enjoy a 75% discount off the shelf price.
ASGi was founded by professional installers to provide a public website of unbiased information regarding the artificial turf and synthetic grass market. Established in 2004 and incorporated in January of 2007, it provides a content-rich public website that keeps visitors up-to-date with news and events, provides design, buyer, estimating and installation guides for free public download and pages of photos and details of how artificial grass is used for residential and commercial projects for landscape and leisure sports projects such as putting greens, bocce and play areas.
ASGi promotes ethics, best business practices, and standard installation guidelines to insure compliance with state and federal landscape and water use models.
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