subject: What are MSDSs and Why do we need them? [print this page] A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), a critical component of workplace safety and product stewardship, is a form that contains comprehensive information on the chemical and physical properties and uses of a hazardous product, as prescribed the federal law. Usually prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a particular substance, an MSDS encloses a wealth of information about its toxicity, identity, reactivity, health effects as well as first aid, storage, disposal, protective equipment and spill-handling procedures. The length of its content mainly depends upon the nature of the substance.
A Material Safety Data Sheet doles out insightful and practical instructions on the safe use and potential hazards associated with the product, best preparing workers and personnel to quickly and effectively respond to a crisis, in the event of a spill or leakage. Facilities, harboring or storing hazardous chemicals, must secure and thereby, consult relevant MSDSs, in hostile situations. MSDS formats, depending on national requirements, can vary from source to source within a country.
Not all chemicals, used in workplaces, are alike and some chemicals such as hydrogen cyanide can be life-threatening. An MSDS is designed to gauge the threats posed by a chemical and its overall impact on the health and safety of people, associated with it. An MSDS, which is not intended for consumer information, essentially sheds light on the precautionary measures that can be adopted in the wake of a disaster, whilst working with a dangerous chemical.
The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) is the regulating agency for MSDS, the website of which makes specific hazard communication information available to the employees. MSDSs, available through OSHA, libraries and internet databases, can also be directly supplied by the manufacturer at the point of purchase of hazardous materials. Many employers in the US are now legally obliged to obtain an MSDS on or before the first supply of the hazardous materials. To keep disasters at bay, employees, in direct contact with hazardous chemicals, are allowed uninhibited access to their MSDSs.
