MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are being replaced by SDS (Safety Data Sheets) that are an internationalized standard. All employers will need to train their employees on the new system, which is summarized below. OSHA has an extremely in depth guide to this change you can view here: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html
High Point is offering online training free to all customers to help get your business compliant.
You can see a sample of the new pictograms being used in the SDS sheets:
Most importantly by December of 2013 employees will need to be trained with SDS. For a few years it is likely the two styles of sheets will both be present but SDS will be entirely replacing MSDS eventually. OSHA has issued these training guidelines: OSHA SDS Training Requirements.
Effective Completion Date | Requirement(s) | Who |
December 1, 2013 | Train employees on the new label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format. | Employers |
June 1, 2015 December 1, 2015 | Compliance with all modified provisions of this final rule, except: The Distributor shall not ship containers labeled by the chemical manufacturer or importer unless it is a GHS label | Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers |
June 1, 2016 | Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. | Employers |
Transition Period to the effective completion dates noted above | May comply with either 29 CFR 1910.1200 (the final standard), or the current standard, or both | Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers |
You can a full review of the new sections here: OSHA SDS Section Break Down. You can also see the new pictograms here: SDS Pictograms. The new sections of the sheet will be :
1) Identification
- Includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
2) Hazard(s) Identification
- Includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.
3) Composition/Information on Ingredients
- Includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims.
4) First-aid Measures
- Includes important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
5) Fire-fighting measures
- Lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.
6) Accidental Release Measures
- Lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.
7) Handling and storage
- Lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.
8) Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
- Lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
9) Physical and Chemical Properties
- Lists the chemical’s characteristics.
10) Stability and Reactivity
- Lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
11) Toxicological information
- Includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity.
12) Ecological information
13) Disposal considerations
14) Transport information
15) Regulatory information
