Material Safety Data Sheets

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are detailed descriptions that explain the hazards and safety precautions of chemicals. They are used to inform workers of the proper procedures for handling and working with chemicals, and feature information about a chemical’s physical data, toxicity, health effects, reactivity, storage, disposal, and the proper protective equipment for handling spills.

MSDSs must be available to employees at all times during their work shifts. Any method of access is acceptable as long as employees can get the information they need. MSDSs can be bound together in a centralized location, or they can be placed in a computerized system that can be accessed by any of a company’s computers.

The OSHA Hazard Communication standard requires MSDSs for all chemicals present in work settings, but it does not require a specific format for the content. ANSI published a voluntary template for MSDSs that breaks into 16 short sections to allow employees to quickly find and access the information that they need. Sections include:

1. Product Name and manufacturer
2. Chemical composition
3. Hazards identification
4. First aid measures
5. Fire fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls / Personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. Transportation information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information

In addition to an MSDS, OSHA requires that all containers that hold hazardous materials be labeled with RTK labels using correct information from the MSDS. Hazard Communication requires that each RTK label provide an appropriate health hazard and target organ warning for the chemicals.

Use any DuraLabel printer, including the DuraLabel PRO 300 and DuraLabel 7000, to print color bar and NFPA diamond RTK labels. These labels are formatted to maximize communication within work facilities through a combination of size, color, and layout that is simple to understand.

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