Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Chemicals pose a wide range of hazards, from mild irritation to possible death. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard is designed to ensure that workers and employers have information about these hazards and can establish appropriate protective measures. One important source for this information is the Material Safety Data Sheet.

The MSDS is your primary tool for finding information about the chemicals you work with. They can be in any format, but OSHA has established certain requirements for MSDS's. First of all, they need to be in English.

Secondly, all MSDS's must be readily accessible during each work shift. If you or your co-worker must travel between work locations, MSDS's may be kept at a central location, but they still must be accessible.

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of these MSDS's. Employers must receive and retain an MSDS for each hazardous chemical that they use.

While MSDS's do not need to be physically attached to a shipment, they must accompany or precede the shipment. If they do not, your employer must obtain one from the manufacturer, importer, or distributor as soon as possible. The same is true if an MSDS arrives that is incomplete or unclear.

You need to read a chemical's MSDS before using the chemical to find out what safety precautions are needed. A certain chemical may not be compatible with other chemicals you are using. You may need to wear personal protective equipment to protect yourself from the chemical's effects. You may need to be careful about the ambient temperature the chemical is used in. The information on an MSDS will help you determine what safety measures you will need and could save valuable time in the event of an accident.

In the case of an emergency where someone may have been exposed to a hazardous chemical, you may also need to consult the associated MSDS to obtain information on how to treat the victim.

Being aware of the information provided on an MSDS can mean the difference between and accident and a tragedy. For your safety and those you work with, learn the hazards of the chemicals you work with and the precautions related to them.