ROLF LAURIN

SAFETY & HEALTH CHAIR, LOCAL 338

 

AUGUST 2010

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Do you know how to use them and why it is important?

 

When were Material Safety Data Sheets required?  

OSHA began requiring MSDS's for Hazardous materials effective May 26, 1986

What agencies or regulations require us to keep MSDS's?

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and DOSH (Department of Safety and Health)

What is the minimum amount of material that requires an MSDS?

The Hazards Communication standard does not specify a minimum amount. Some chemicals are very dangerous in milligram quantities, others are not. The Standard is unable to anticipate and determine the potentially toxic effects of over 50,000,000 known chemical compounds and their mixtures.

What items do (or do not) require MSDS's?

OSHA requires MSDS's ONLY for materials that a) meet OSHA's definition of hazardous and b) are "known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency".

What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.

What information is on the MSDS?

1.The identity used on the label

2.Chemical and common names

3.Physical and chemical characteristics of the hazardous ingredients (e.g., flashpoint, appearance and odor)

4. Physical hazards (e.g., combustible, unstable)

5. Health hazards (e.g., corrosive) plus signs and symptoms of exposure and medical conditions aggravated by exposure

6. Primary route (s) of entry (e.g., inhalation)

7. Air exposure limits (e.g., PEL, TLV)

8. Carcinogenicity

9. Precautions for safe handling and use (e.g., storage, waste disposal)

10. Control measures (e.g., personal protection)

11. Emergency and first aid procedures

12. Date of preparation of MSDS

13. Name/address/phone number of responsible party.

 

 

In Solidarity

 

 

 

Rolf Laurin, Local 338 S&H Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

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