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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a written information sheet about a specific hazardous chemical. MSDSs are legally required to be issued for every hazardous chemical that is manufactured or distributed. All MSDSs will contain known safety information on the chemical, or the hazards of the commercial product that may contain more than one hazardous chemical.

For some newer chemicals not all of the long-term toxicity information may have been assessed. On these MSDSs the phrase, "To the best of our knowledge, this information has not been assessed" will be used. These chemicals should be assumed to be hazardous, unless information elsewhere on the MSDS indicates otherwise.

Obtaining an MSDS

Employees have the right to obtain copies of any MSDS for hazardous chemicals used in their workplace. There are three ways to obtain a MSDS:

1. Supervisors/Departments have copies of MSDSs in a central location from which employees can access a copy.

2. An MSDS should accompany a shipment of a new chemical. If a MSDS is not received the manufacturer must be contacted and an MSDS obtained before the chemical can be used in the workplace. A copy of this MSDS should be forwarded to the ORCBS.

3. The ORCBS is a central repository for MSDSs. The ORCBS is in the process of making all MSDSs available electronically from the ORCBS website. If you need an MSDS for your work area file got to the ORCBS website:

http://www.orcbs.msu.edu

Go to the MSDS links, then to the Michigan State University link. Type in the required information. If the MSDS is available online the 'Acquire MSDS' column will have a download PDF link. If it is not available fill out the MSDS request form online or send a MSDS request form (located in Appendix C) to the ORCBS, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm by

            FAX: 353-4871
OR
            MAIL: ORCBS, C-124 Research Complex-Engineering, Campus

A representative from the ORCBS will fax, mail or hand deliver the MSDSs.

In case of emergency

Between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, call the ORCBS at 355-0153 or dial 911.

Between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 am, please contact MSU Police and Public Safety at 355-2221. The MSU Police will contact a representative from the ORCBS, who will provide you with a MSDS.

Updating an MSDS

If an MSDS is missing information or does not seem to be acceptable notify the ORCBS of the chemical and manufacturer. The manufacturer will be contacted and an appropriate MSDS will be obtained. The following is a list of some examples where a new MSDS would be required:

1. An MSDS written before 1985. The Federal Hazard Communication Standard required all manufacturers to create new MSDSs by November 11, 1985. A MSDSs written before this may not contain all of the required information.

2. The product name has been changed. The MSDS must match the product name.

3. A product is labeled "new" and/or "improved". The composition of the product may have changed requiring new safety procedures.

4. The chemical composition on the MSDS does not match the product.

Employee or Contractor Owned Chemicals

Employee owned chemicals

Employees may not bring hazardous chemicals to work. Adequate steps should be taken to assure that employees do not bring hazardous chemicals to work.

Contractor owned chemicals

In the event that a contractor will be performing work involving hazardous chemicals, the Physical Plant Contractor Coordinator will ensure that the chemicals to be used are specified and that a building contact is informed. That building contact will be responsible for communication of this information to affected employees. The location of the MSDS for the project must be posted in a central location and the contractor must have copies of these MSDSs on-site and available for review for the duration of the project.

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