OSHA Regulations for MSDS

A substance's MSDS is a necessity if employees are to come into contact with it during the course of their job.

The Material Safety and Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document in English which identifies a substance that a worker uses on the job or may come into contact with in the future. It is a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) for each chemical an employer uses. This is to ensure that all workers understand the risks involved of working with the chemicals they need to use to do their jobs.

Content of the MSDS

There is no specific format for the MSDS, but it must contain the required information. In addition to containing the name of the substance and all of its ingredients, the MSDS must list chemical properties, protective measures, health hazards, flammability data, reactivity with other chemicals, and contact information of the manufacturer.

Accessibility

OSHA mandates that MSDSs be kept in a readily accessible place. They can be kept in binders, posted on the wall, stored as an electronic document to be retrieved through a computer, or anywhere the employer wants so long as all employees have unrestricted access to them.

Accountability

According to OSHA, the most important part of the requirements for the MSDS is that someone is charged with keeping them current and available. This person should keep a proper inventory of all hazardous chemicals and obtain new MSDS's when a new substance is obtained.

References

• Interactive Learning Paradigms Incorporated - The MSDS HyperGlossary
• OSHA - Guidelines for Employer Compliance