The SDS can be read to you or faxed to a location of your choosing. Furthermore, you may not expect your staff to access SDS through their personal smart phones. All employees must be trained on how to read, understand, and access Safety Data Sheets. If the lab employs both a primary means of SDS access and a back-up secondary means of access, both methods should be covered during training. Training must be documented for each employee through the completion of one of the courses listed below. Skip to main content.
The University of Iowa Search. You are here Home » Chemical. An SDS formerly known as MSDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
See this OSHA interpretation letter from for more information. It depends. The HazCom standard is a performance-based standard which means that OSHA does not concern itself with how you comply, just that you manage to do it.
While your method of managing your SDS collection is flexible, specific criteria you need to meet are:. See the ready access question above for more about "readily accessible" and what an OSHA inspector will look for in determining compliance. This topic is covered explicitly in paragraph e 2 of Each contractor or employer has a responsibility to make sure the hazards of their chemicals and, therefore, SDS's are known to all workers on the site. See the OSHA interpretation, HCS training for employees contracted to jobs working under the supervision of another employer , for additional information.
The HazCom standard is performance-based meaning that OSHA does not care how the employers share this information as long the employees have no barriers to accessing the information when they need it and the plan for sharing this information in writing. The simplest solution for the multi-employer workplace is to provide each other copies of the SDS's or to add your SDS's to their collection as long as your employees have access.
Of course, other training , labeling etc. That means OSHA is not concerned with how you organize your SDS files, only that you " ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area s ". This can be by hardcopy, computer, internet subscription, fax etc. See this OSHA interpretation for more info. For an electronic system using an SDS software program or on-line service , organization is not really an issue as employees can call up SDS's using various criteria such as chemical name, CAS Number , or chemical formula.
But for those of you who simply file paper copies, how to order your filing cabinet or 3-ring binder is a more difficult question. Again, OSHA doesn't care how you choose to do it, but employees have to be able to find the information when they need it. For this reason, many people prefer to file their SDS's alphabetically by name. The biggest drawback to this is that one person might call a particular chemical " acetone " and another might call it "2-propanone". Both are synonyms for the same chemical compound.
We therefore suggest that you train your employees to file by the name listed on the container label. If you are into overkill, for each chemical synonym listed on the SDS, make a new page with that name as the title and write a note on it such as "see the SDS for acetone".
Another popular method in chemical laboratories is to file SDS' by molecular or chemical formula. The standard convention is to list carbon and hydrogen first, followed by the other chemical elements in alphabetical order. If there is no carbon in the compound, then simple alphabetical order is used.
The drawbacks here are that not all materials have chemical formulas such as cleaning agents , and this system is more difficult for non-chemists.
Every case is different and we really don't feel comfortable from a legal and moral standpoint trying to address such a complex issue. Hopefully, the points raised in this document will give you an idea of the parameters involved. Take a look at the previous question for some specific insights. The one recommendation we will make is that you maintain your paper copies. Beyond that, we'll also say that some organizations will find it very advantageous to utilize one of the " paperless compliance " services discussed in this document.
But that's where our specific recommendations end, sorry. This makes sense when you consider the following:. That said, you can use our SDS page and search engines or various Internet collections as a source to find the electronic and hard copies of SDS's that you need for your collection or to see if more recent sheets are available.
While SDS's are a necessary part of these requirements, merely making these available or distributing them to employees is insufficient. An employer's training program is to be a forum for explaining to employees, not only the hazards of the chemicals in their work area, but also how to use the information generated in the hazard communication program.
This can be accomplished in many ways audio visual, classroom instruction, interactive video , and should include an opportunity for employees to ask questions to ensure that they understand the information presented to them. Moreover, with the advent of the HCS adoption of the GHS system , you will need to train your employees on labeling, pictograms , and other key elements of the HCS.
Yes and no. Paragraph g 2 of 29 CFR The same is true of label requirements. At first glance, it appears you do not need to make special provisions. SDS's are part of the hazard communication process and training requirements; if your employees do not understand English and you do not provide training in a language they comprehend then you are not in compliance. This statement includes the following:.
In practical terms, this means that an employer must instruct its employees using both a language and vocabulary that the employees can understand. For example, if an employee does not speak or comprehend English, instruction must be provided in a language the employee can understand. Similarly, if the employee's vocabulary is limited, the training must account for that limitation. By the same token, if employees are not literate, telling them to read training materials will not satisfy the employer's training obligation.
As a general matter, employers are expected to realize that if they customarily need to communicate work instructions or otherworkplace information to employees at a certain vocabulary level or in language other than English, they will also need to provide safety and health training to employees in the same manner. Of course, employers may also provide instruction in learning the English language to non-English speaking employees. Over time this may lessen the to provide OSH Act training in other languages.
We suspect that point 2 grossly underestimates the cost of hazard classification as companies that used to write SDS's themselves will either have to spend considerable time learning the process or outsource their SDS production.
Nonetheless, there will be considerable cost savings based on standardization of data and formats. On an individual basis, MSDS Solutions has a simple calculator that uses 5 pieces of data to calculate your costs. That's a tough question that only an attorney should answer, especially with the U.
Given that tobacco companies seem to escape liability for selling products that are known to be defective while others are put into bankruptcy when there is scant scientific evidence supporting the claims against them, we'd be fairly reluctant to hazard a guess.
You'll need to contact an attorney who specializes in product liability for a complete answer to your question. You should also make an effort to notify the manufacturer. See the OSHA interpretation, "Requirements of the HCS and the employer's ability to rely on a manufacturer's hazard determination " for futher information. In contrast, sending an SDS to a downstream customer in the European Union incurs a responsibility for accuracy even if the supplier has not changed the sheet they received.
The firms listed there pay a nominal fee to be listed, which helps us bring you this free SDS safety information portal. To meet our visitor's needs, we have compiled this list of pertinent reference books that are terrific resources.
You can also search Amazon. If you need SDS binders, wall-mounted centers, training posters, Hazard Communication labels and more, check out our on-line store, SafetyEmporium. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Disclaimer : The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk.
ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein. A material safety data sheet or MSDS is a document that provides workers with procedures for safely handling or working with a particular substance.
What is a SDS and what is its purpose? A Safety Data Sheet formerly called Material Safety Data Sheet is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product.
Are SDS attached to each product? In other words, every product that is classified as a "hazardous product" under WHMIS that is intended for use, handling or storage in a workplace in Canada must have an SDS. How long do you need to keep SDS sheets? You are required to keep some record of the identity of the substances or agents to which employees are exposed for 30 years.
Click View SDS link from the product page. Available in multiple languages. What are the 16 sections of an MSDS? The Sixteen 16 Sections of the Safety Data Sheet SDS Section 1—Identification: Product identifier, manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number, emergency phone number, recommended use, and restrictions on use. Section 2—Hazard s identification: All hazards regarding the chemical and required label elements.
What are the 4 major areas covered by the standard? Key Elements of the HazCom Standard materials inventory; safety data sheets; labeling; written program; and.
How can you easily maintain SDS documents? Have a written list of the chemicals present in the facility.
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