Occupational & Environmental Safety Office

MSDS Resources

Hazard Communication FAQ

What is the Hazard Communications Standard?
What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
Do I need to use an MSDS?
Which chemicals require an MSDS?
Which substances do not require an MSDS?
Do pharmaceuticals require an MSDS?
What should I do with MSDS hard copies from a chemical manufacturer?
What are my MSDS responsibilities?
What are my labeling requirements?
What is a list of hazardous chemicals?
How do I find an MSDS?
What if I cannot find the MSDS that I am looking for?

MSDS Glossary

What is the Hazard Communications Standard?

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to establish hazard communication programs to transmit information on the hazards of chemicals to their employees by means of labels on containers, material safety data sheets, and training programs. Implementation of these hazard communication programs will ensure that all employees have the "right-to-know" the hazards and identities of the chemicals they work with, and will reduce the incidence of chemically - related occupational illnesses and injuries. This policy is enforced by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

An MSDS is a written document produced by the chemical manufacturer or importer that includes important information about a chemical including:

The chemical identity
Physical and chemical characteristics
Physical and health hazards
Medical conditions which are aggravated by exposure to the chemical
The primary route(s) of entry into the body
Relevant exposure limits
Whether the hazardous chemical is listed in the Annual Report on Carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) .
Precautions for safe handling
Procedures for clean-up of spills
Control measures
Emergency and first aid procedures
Date of preparation/update of the MSDS
Name, address and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer

For a detailed description of MSDS's view the Hazard Communication Standard - 1910.1200.

Do I need to use an MSDS?

MSDS's are useful documents and should be used as reference for any questions that you may have concerning a chemical that is used in your workplace. Duke University is required to provide access to MSDS's for hazardous chemicals that employees use while at work.

Which chemicals require an MSDS?

Every hazardous chemical that is in use in the workplace requires an MSDS. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines a hazardous chemical as "any chemical which is a health hazard or a physical hazard ". Some materials do not require an MSDS.

Which substances do not require an MSDS?

MSDS's are not required for any of the following items or chemicals:

Chemicals that are not considered by OSHA to be "hazardous". (Note: you will never get in trouble for having an MSDS you don't need, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.)
"Articles" such as a carpet or chair.
Hazardous waste as defined by the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1976 (a.k.a., RCRA, Title II, Subpart D).
Hazardous substances defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. (CERCLA).
Pesticides defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Laboratory chemicals defined in Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories . (Note: if you work in a laboratory and receive an MSDS when a chemical is shipped to you, you are required to retain the MSDS and make it available to employees.)
Food and alcoholic beverages
Tobacco or tobacco products
Wood or wood products
Cosmetics
Nuisance particulates that do not pose any physical or health hazard
Ionizing and non ionizing radiation
Biological hazards
Drugs in solid, final form for direct administration to the patient. (For example, tablets, pills, and capsules.)
Drugs which are packaged by the chemical manufacturer for sale to consumers in retail establishments or those for personal consumption such as included in first aid cabinets.

Do pharmaceuticals require an MSDS?

MSDS are required for all drugs defined under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act except for drugs in solid, final form for direct administration to the patient (i.e., tablets, pills, capsules).

What should I do with MSDS hard copies from a chemical manufacturer?

Whenever you order a new chemical the chemical distributor has the responsibility to provide you with a Materials Safety Data Sheet. Keep the original copy of this document for your department's MSDS collection and please fax (681-5916) or mail (Box 3914) a photocopy of the complete MSDS to the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office.

What are my MSDS responsibilities?

The Duke University Safety Manual outlines the following responsibilities regarding MSDSs:

Departments shall:

Develop and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all chemical products used in departmental work areas.
Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals listed on the inventory.
Ensure that MSDS's are readily accessible to employees during all hours that employees work in the area.
Prepare MSDS's for chemical products formulated or manufactured by their department.

Supervisors shall:

Conduct site-specific on-the-job training for chemical substances used in their workplaces. Supervisors must train employees before they begin work with any new chemical: at orientation and when new chemicals are introduced into the work area.
Review the hazard information on all new chemical products brought into the workplace.
Request additional information from OESO as necessary.

OESO shall:

Conduct general Hazard Communication Training as part of employee orientation.
Maintain a master archive of MSDS's for distribution to users.
Assist departments in the preparation of MSDS's.

Contractors who bring hazardous chemicals onto Duke University property shall:

Make the Hazard Communication Program available for review at the work site.
Maintain an up-to-date hazardous chemical inventory, and all corresponding MSDS's.
Be aware of all information contained in the Contractor Safety Guidebook.

What are my labeling requirements?

OSHA requires that the label include the identity, name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, and appropriate hazard warnings.

The identity is any term that appears on the label, the MSDS, and the list of hazardous chemicals , and thus links these three sources of information. The identity used by the supplier may be a common or trade name ("Black Magic Formula"), or a chemical name (1,1,1-trichloroethane).

The hazard warning is a brief statement of the hazardous effects of the chemical ("flammable," "causes lung damage"). Labels frequently contain other information, such as precautionary measures ("do not use near open flame"), but this information is provided voluntarily and is not required by the rule.

Labels must be legible, with required information appearing in English and other languages understood by employees. Labels should be prominently displayed on the container. There are no specific requirements for size or color, or any specified text.

If employees transfer chemicals into a secondary container, this container must also be labeled as indicated above with the following exceptions:

If the employee who transfers the chemical into the secondary container will use ALL of it during that work shift and before leaving the work area, the container does not have to be labeled.
If the container will not leave the work area, the label is required to have the identity and hazard warning but does not need the manufacturer's name and address.

What is a list of hazardous chemicals?

As part of the Written Hazard Communication Program, OSHA requires employers to maintain a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present. You should use the identity that is referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet. The list may be compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individual work areas.

How do I find an MSDS?

Determine the manufacturer of the substance that you are using.
Click on the direct link to that manufacturer if available.
If the manufacturer's name is not displayed then search through the additional sources list of MSDSs.
Follow the web site search links to retrieve the MSDS that you require.

What if I cannot find the MSDS that I am looking for?

If after searching through our links you cannot find the MSDS you are looking for: Submit a request on-line. If an MSDS is required immediately for an MSDS emergency contact the OESO at 684-5996.

MSDS Glossary

ACGIH	American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists . A professional organization of government and university industrial hygienists.

Acute Health Effect	An adverse effect arising from a short (minutes to hours) period of exposure.

AIHA	American Industrial Hygiene Association . A professional organization of industrial hygienists.

Article	Defined by OSHA as "any manufactured item other than a fluid or particle which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture, has end use function(s) dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during end use, and which under normal conditions of use does not release more than. minute or trace amounts of a hazardous chemical and does not pose a physical hazard or health risk to employees".

CAS Number	Chemical Abstracts Service number - a way in which chemicals are uniquely identified by a numbering system.

Ceiling Limit	A designated maximum airborne level to which people can be exposed.

Chronic Health Effect	An adverse effect arising after long periods (months to years) of exposure.

Hazardous chemical	Any chemical that is a physical hazard or a health hazard .

Health Hazard	Includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.

Lethal Dose (LD50)	The dose producing death in 50% of a test animal population

Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)	The minimum concentration as a percentage, of flammable gas that can be ignited. Also referred to as the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)

Lowest Lethal Concentration (LCLo)	The lowest concentration of a substance in air that has been known to kill animals

Lowest Toxic Dose (TDLo)	The lowest dose reported to cause toxic effects in humans or test animals. Permissible Exposure Limit - Permissible concentration in air of a substance to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, for 30 years without adverse side effects. This value is legally enforceable by OSHA.

mg/m3	Concentration measurement in milligrams per cubic meter.

MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet

NIOSH	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

OEL	Occupational Exposure Limit - A health based workplace standard to protect workers from adverse exposure. For example, TLV or PEL.

OSHA	Occupational Safety and Health Administration . Located within the US Department of Labor. The agency responsibilities include formulating occupational safety and health standards and inspecting workplaces to ensure compliance with these standards.

PEL	Permissible Exposure Limit - the maximum eight-hour time-weighted-average air concentration to which employees can be exposed. This level is enforced by OSHA.

PEL-STEL	Permissible Exposure Limit-Short Term Exposure Limit - 15 min Time Weighted Average exposure that shall not be exceeded at any time during a workday.

Physical Hazard	A chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water - reactive.

PPE	Personal Protective Equipment - Includes items such as gloves, safety goggles and respirator masks that are worn to reduce the potential for exposure to chemicals.

PPM	Concentration in parts per million (by volume).Label Any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous chemicals.

STEL	Short Term Exposure Limit - Maximum concentration for continuous 15 minute period, allowed four times a day with at least 60 minutes between exposures

TWA	Time Weighed Average - The average exposure for an individual over a given working period (normally 8 hours).

TLV	Threshold Limit Value - An exposure level under which most people can work consistently for 8 hours a day, without adverse effects. Can also be used with 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limits. This exposure level was developed by the ACGIH and is not a legally enforceable value.

(UEL) Upper Explosive Limit	Percentage by volume of a flammable gas or vapor that is the maximum level ignitable. Also referred to the Upper Flammable Limit (UFL).

WEEL	Workplace Environmental Exposure Level - exposure guidelines developed by AIHA .