Beginning in 2013, OSHA will require that Material Safety Data Sheets comply with the Globally Harmonized System for Chemical Information and Labeling (also known as "GHS"). Many laboratory chemical vendors have already made this transition to this system, which improves the consistency and understandability of the information on the MSDS. Note also that under the GHS, the official term for MSDS becomes "Safety Data Sheet". If you would like more information on this topic, please contact us via the askEHS link above.

 

Safety Data Sheets are the primary source of chemical hazard information about specific chemicals, and are important elements of Cornell's Laboratory Safety Program  and Hazard Communication Program to comply with the OSHA Laboratory Standard and the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. 

Supervisors, including Principal Investigators and Laboratory Managers, are responsible for ensuring their employees have access to Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace or laboratory. Material Safety Data Sheet. This information must be accessible for employees during all shifts, including laboratory personnel. Access to MSDS' can mean access to be achieved through paper copies or via Internet access through the sources below. To meet this regulatory requirement, we recommend that an employee be able to obtain a SDS within 5 minutes. In case of accident involving a chemical, having a SDS for the emergency personnel and the attending physician will help assure proper treatment can be administered as quickly as possible.

Our recommended process for obtaining an SDS is: