Union Approach to Health and Safety: - United Steelworkers

There are alternative versions of MSDSs on the internet. Some are available
in Spanish. Some sites to check are:
New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets –
www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/rtkhsfs.htm
Safety Information Resources – siri.org/msds/index.php
Where to Find MSDSs on the Internet – www.ilpi.com/msds/index.html
A MSDS must provide detailed information about the chemical (or chemicals
if the material is a mixture). MSDSs must include the following information:
o product name and ingredients;
o physical and chemical characteristics (such as vapor pressure and flash
point);
o safety hazards, including potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity;
o health hazards, including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any
medical conditions which are generally recognized as being aggravated by
exposure to the chemical;
o primary route(s) of entry (such as from breathing, skin contact, or eating);
o OSHA permissible exposure limit, ACGIH (American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists) threshold limit value, and any other
exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer;
o whether the chemical is a carcinogen or potential carcinogen,
o precautions for safe handling, including appropriate hygienic practices and
protective measures;
o applicable control measures such as engineering controls, work practices,
or personal protective equipment;
o emergency and first aid procedures;
o date of preparation of the MSDS; and
o name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer or other
party who prepared the MSDS.
Labeling: Employers must label all containers of hazardous chemicals at the
workplace. Labels must give the chemical name of the material used and appropriate
hazard warnings. OSHA only requires that labels be in English.
Worker Training: Employers must conduct training for workers exposed to
chemical hazards.
This training must be done at the time of workers’ “initial assignment” and
whenever any new chemical is introduced into their work area.
If workers do not understand English, then the training must be conducted in a
language the workers understand.
The training must explain: