MSDS actually stands for Material Safety Data Sheets
By Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA
This article will review how to collect, organize and store MSDSs. It will also discuss how to identify and label hazardous chemicals, and the hazard communication training requirements for dental practices.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimated that more than 32 million workers are exposed to 650,000 hazardous chemical products in more than three million American workplaces. This poses a serious problem for exposed employers and their employees.1 This is why OSHA requires employers to have an effective hazard communication program. The main goal is to ensure employers and employees know the identities and hazards of chemicals in their workplaces and understand how to safely handle them.
You can get information about the chemicals you are exposed to in your dental office by familiarizing yourself with the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires all employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces to have MSDSs for their exposed workers. It is the “employee’s right to know” regulation. In addition to collecting MSDSs, the regulation states that hazardous chemicals must be labeled properly, and employees must be trained on how to handle the chemicals appropriately.
How to begin an MSDS book
When hazardous chemicals are purchased for a dental office, the MSDS is usually shipped with the chemical. The chemical manufacturer is required to provide the MSDS. If no MSDS is provided, you can locate the manufacturer’s Web site and print out a copy of the MSDS. If you don’t have Internet access or cannot locate the manufacturer’s Web site, call the manufacturer to request a copy of the MSDS.
Once MSDSs are collected, sort and file them in a three-ring binder. It is helpful to highlight the name of the product with a colored highlighter. MSDSs that are printed on small pieces of paper can be copied to an 8½-by-11-inch sheet to match the other MSDS pages. Organize the book alphabetically by product name rather than what the product is for. This will make it easier to locate the MSDS when needed. Be sure to update the MSDS sheets periodically to have the most current information on file.
The MSDS contains the following information about the chemical:
- Substance identification
- Components and contaminants
- Physical data
- Fire and explosion data
- Toxicity
- Health effects and first aid
- Reactivity
- Storage and disposal
- Conditions to avoid
- Spill and leak procedures
- What protective equipment to wear when working with the chemical
How to identify and label hazardous chemicals
Hazardous chemicals in their original containers already have the identity of the hazardous substance, hazard warning label, and the name and address of the chemical manufacturer or importer. The original container does not need an additional label, but if hazardous substances are transferred from their original container to a secondary container, then the secondary container must be labeled. The label must show at least the identity of the hazardous substance and the hazard warning statement. There are many different types of stickers that can be used for labeling. Labels can also be printed from a label maker, or containers can be labeled by writing directly on them using a waterproof marking pen.
Employee training
The employer must provide training to employees prior to allowing them to work with hazardous substances. The training must inform employees about the office hazard communication program, including how to handle hazardous substances, how to prevent exposure to hazardous substances, and what to do in the event of spills or exposure to hazardous substances.
Below is a hazardous communication training checklist that can be used for employee training:
- Explanation of the office Hazard Communication program
- Who is in charge of the Hazard Communication program
- Where a copy of the written Hazard Communication program can be obtained
- Where hazardous substances are located
- How hazardous substances are used
- Explanation of the labeling system for hazardous substances
- Where the MSDS book is kept
- Instructions on how to read an MSDS
- Instructions on how to identify hazardous substances by appearance or smell
- Instructions on use of personal protective equipment when working with hazardous substances
- Information on how to reduce employee exposure to hazardous substances
- What action to take in the event of exposure
- Explanation on how to handle chemical spills and leaks, including reporting, clean-up, and use of spill kits
Author bio
Leslie Canham is a dental speaker and consultant specializing in infection control and OSHA compliance. She has more than 36 years of experience in dentistry. Canham is the founder of Leslie Canham Seminars, providing in-office training, mock inspections, consulting, and online seminars and webinars to help the dental team navigate state and federal regulations. Reach Canham at (888) 853-7543 or Leslie Canham.
1"Hazard Communication." OSHA.gov. Aug. 5, 2009 http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/index2.html
