Your business, shop or warehouse contains chemicals unrelated to the primary work done at your company. Normal exposure to these chemicals combined with other chemicals and compounds used by your firm in regular manufacturing or services creates a potential danger to the health of you and your employees. Federal regulations and some state laws require product labeling and recommend the use of Material Safety Data Sheets. Protecting your business requires using the chemical information sheets to plan operations and provide information to protect your workers.
Material Safety Data Sheets provide you and your staff with information about workplace chemicals and hazardous materials. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration template recommends that data sheets include ingredient information and the chemical and physical properties of the materials. The federal guidelines also include first-aid and fire-fighting measures, directions for safe handling, and storage of the chemicals and materials. Sheets noting appropriate transportation measures; ecological and toxicological information; and disposal considerations also meet OSHA recommended guidelines. Other recommendations for comprehensive information sheets list accidental release procedures, requirements for worker protection and also procedures to control exposure to the chemicals. Businesses have the option of making up unofficial sheets by following the suggested federal guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that employers need not create sheets for products without formal MSDS information.
Occupational Safety and Health Standards require employers to make material safety data sheets easily accessible in the workplace. Businesses typically keep MSDS information in public files at the workplace and allow access to the staff for review or use in emergency situations. Manufacturers provide MSDS with the product and business owners also have access to sheets as uploads from company websites. Firms with staff stationed in various locations post MSDS information on company's website. The University of California-San Diego, Catawba Valley Community College, Harvard University and San Juan College all post information and warning sheets on school websites.
The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to provide workers, staff and supervisors with information for protection when working with hazardous materials. This includes procedures for using safety equipment to avoid harm. The MSDS also provide information to plan and conduct training sessions to avoid dangers. Employers must provide education for employees in the proper use and storage of the chemicals present in the workplace. The training also involves emergency drills and procedures should hazardous chemicals spill or leak.
OSHA standards require all chemicals imported or produced in America undergo an evaluation to determine known and potential dangers associated with the products. This information must appear on the product labeling and containers used for storing and shipping the chemicals. Manufacturers producing chemicals on the OSHS hazards list must make available a Material Safety Data Sheet using the OSHS template for each chemical. Federal laws require workplaces to use labeled containers and product packaging and make the Material Safety Data Sheets accessible in the workplace for reference or use when an accident happens involving hazardous chemicals. Although some states also have safety sheet requirements, under the Toxic and Hazardous Substances Standard 1910.1200(a)(2), federal regulations supersede state laws regulating hazardous materials.
- Catawba Valley Community College: Hazard Communication -- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- San Juan College: Section IX -- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Guidelines for Employer Compliance (Advisory)
- UC San Diego Blink: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Overview
- UC San Diego Blink: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Explained
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Recommended Format For Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Department of Employment Services: Sample Hazard Communication Program
- UC San Diego Blink: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Sources
- Harvard Campus Services: Material Safety Data Sheets
- Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc.: SIRI MSDS Index
- Vermont Safety Information Resources, Inc.: Manufacturer's MSDS Data
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