While working in a factory or in an industrial facility, the employees are usually exposed to hazardous chemicals that are used for the manufacturing process. These chemicals pose a serious threat to human health as well as to the environment. In 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
One of the standards prescribed by OSHA requires every facility to have comprehensive material safety data sheets (MSDS) that provide complete information about the hazards of substances used in the manufacturing process and the measures to deal with them. It must contain data about ingredients, physical properties, and more about chemicals, compressed gasses, oxidizing materials, infectious or fatal materials, corrosive substances and flammable or combustible liquids.
This data sheet is a sixteen-section safety document that has detailed information regarding the use, handling, storage and toxicity of these substances. It also prescribes safety measures in case of accidents, to mitigate adverse effects on the health of workers as well as to the environment. To ensure OSHA compliance, all MSDS must follow a specific format and must be updated by each user that comes in contact with these chemicals.
The current OSHA MSDS format includes the following categories, which must be followed and maintained by everyone who is involved in the lifecycle of these products.
Name and contact information of manufacturers
Content of the chemical or material, especially in terms of hazardous ingredients
Physical and chemical characteristics of the chemical
Data regarding:
Fire and explosive properties
Reactivity
Hazards that the material poses to the health of workers
Environmental risks
Precautions that must be taken for safe handling and usage
Control measures to be taken in case of accidental leakage or overexposure
With OSHA’s expected adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), the safety data sheet will expand to the sixteen section format. The manufacturer, as well as the workers, must comply with these guidelines while maintaining a MSDS. The same applies to everyone who deals with these chemicals in some or the other form. Violation of OSHA regulations results in the worker undertaking serious risks, along with penalties from OSHA. In conclusion, all manufacturing facilities would do well to follow these safety sheet regulations to keep their workers and equipment safe.