Control of Hazardous Chemicals and Substances
Hazard Communication
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), CFR 29 1910.1200, requires that the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly MSDSs or Material Safety Data Sheets) for each hazardous chemical substance to downstream users to communicate information on these hazards.
The total number of chemical substances that have been developed and registered in the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry reached 60 million in 2011 - the last 10 million of those were added in less than two years.
SDSs include information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
When working with chemicals, products, and materials:
- Follow all Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) standards when handling hazardous chemical substances.
- SDSs provide vital safety information on chemical products used at the worksite. SDSs should be provided for all hazardous substances. They should also be present at the chemical storage locations and consulted before using.
- Maintain a complete master set of SDSs in a centralized work location to ensure they are available for ready reference by workers and emergency responders.
- Chemicals or other hazardous substances should not be accepted on any facility without a current SDS for the relevant product.
- Hazardous substances received should be checked to ensure that all packaging is intact; with no leakage of the contents and package labeling that is consistent with the SDS.
- Place chemicals and hazardous substances in the appropriate hazardous storage area for the particular substance.
- Store containers with chemicals and hazardous materials in liquid form in suitable storage areas.
- Before using any hazardous substance, the workers using the substance should understand the instructions on its use and precautions to be taken.
- Adequate personal protective equipment should be available and used as required.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-1. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) should be provided for _____.
You forgot to answer the question!