MSDS and Label Preparation

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Material Safety Data Sheets

WAC 296-839-300

 For printing

 

summary

Your responsibility:

To provide complete and accurate material safety data sheets (MSDSs).

You must

Develop or maintain MSDSs

WAC 296-839-30005

Provide MSDSs

WAC 296-839-30010

Follow-up if an MSDS isn't provided

WAC 296-839-30015

 

Rules


WAC 296-839-30005

Develop or obtain material safety data sheets (MSDSs).

You must

  • Develop or obtain a complete and accurate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical or mixture according to ALL of the following:
  • – ALL information in Table 8 must be completed. If there is no relevant information for a required item, this must be noted. Blank spaces aren’t permitted.

Note

Note:

  • No specific format is required for MSDSs; however, an example format (OSHA form 174) can be found online at: http://www.osha.gov
  • One MSDS can be developed for a group of complex mixtures (for example, jet fuels or crude oil) IF the health and physical hazards of the mixtures are similar (the amounts of chemicals in the mixture may vary).

 

You must

  • - Make sure the content of MSDSs accurately represent the available scientific evidence.

Note

Note:

You may report results of scientifically valid studies that tend to refute findings of hazards.

 

You must

  • – Make sure MSDSs are in English.

Note

Note:

You may develop copies of MSDSs in other languages.


You must

  • Revise an MSDS when you become aware of new and significant information regarding the hazards of a chemical, or how to protect against the hazards
    – Within 3 months after you first become aware of the information
    OR
    – Before the chemical is reintroduced into the workplace if the chemical is no longer being used, produced or imported.
Table 8
Information Required on MSDSs
  • The chemical's identity as it appears on the label
  • The date the MSDS was prepared or updated
  • A contact for additional information about the hazardous chemical and appropriate emergency procedures. Include all of the following:
    – Name
    – Address
    – Telephone number of the responsible party preparing or distributing the MSDS
  • The chemical's hazardous ingredients as determined by your hazard evaluation

Note: The identities of some chemicals may be protected as trade secret information (see Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part B-1, Trade Secrets).

  • – For a single substance chemical, include the chemical and common name(s) of the substance
  • – For mixtures tested as a whole
    • Include the common name(s) of the mixture
      and
    • List the chemical and common name(s) of ingredients that contribute to the known hazards
  • – For mixtures NOT tested as a whole, list the chemical and common name(s) of hazardous ingredients
    • That make up 1% or more of the mixture, by weight or volume, including carcinogens (if 0.1% concentration or more, by weight or volume)
  • – If ingredients are less than the above concentrations but may present a health risk to employees (for example, allergic reaction or exposure could exceed the permissible exposure limits, or PEL) they must be listed here
  • Exposure limits for airborne concentrations. Include ALL of the following, when they exist:
  • - WISHA or OSHA PELs
    • The 8-hour time weighted average (TWA)
    • The short-term exposure limit (STEL), if available
    • Ceiling values, if available
    Note: WISHA PEL categories are defined, and values are provided, in Chapter 296-841 WAC, Airborne contaminants.
  • – Threshold limit values (TLVs) including 8-hour TWAs, STELs, and ceiling values
  • – Other exposure limits used or recommended by the employer preparing the MSDS
  • Physical and chemical characteristics
  • – For example, boiling point, vapor pressure, and odor
  • Fire, explosion data, and related information
  • – For example, flashpoint, flammable and explosion limits, extinguishing media, and unusual fire or explosion hazards
  • Physical hazards of the chemical including reactivity information
  • – For example, incompatibilities, decomposition products, by-products, and conditions to avoid
  • Health hazard information including ALL of the following:
  • – Primary routes of exposure
    • For example, inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption or other contact

    • Note: A "Skin notation" listed with either an ACGIH TLV or WISHA/OSHA PEL indicates that skin absorption is a primary route of exposure.

  • – Health effects (or hazards) associated with:
    • Short-term exposure
      and
    • Long-term exposure

      Examples of:
    • Short-term health effects (or hazards) include eye irritation, skin damage caused by contact with corrosives, narcosis, sensitization, and lethal dose.
    • Long-term health effects (or hazards) include cancer, liver degeneration, and silicosis.
  • – Whether the chemical is listed or described as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the latest editions of each of the following:
    • The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Annual Report on Carcinogens
      or
    • The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs as a potential carcinogen
      or
    • WISHA or OSHA rules
  • – Signs and symptoms of exposure to hazardous substances, including those that:
    • Can be measured such as decreased pulmonary function
      and
    • Are subjective such as feeling short of breath.
    – Medical conditions generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure
  • Emergency and first-aid procedures
  • Generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use known to the employer preparing the MSDS
  • - For example, appropriate procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks, waste disposal method, precautions during handling and storing
  • Generally applicable and appropriate control measures known to the employer preparing the MSDS, including ALL of the following:
  • – Engineering controls (for example, general or local exhaust ventilation)
  • – Work practices
  • – Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • – Personal hygiene practices
  • – Protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated equipment

 

WAC 296-839-30010

Provide MSDSs for products shipped, transferred or sold over-the-counter.

You must

  • Provide the correct MSDS to manufacturers, distributors and employers:

    – With the initial shipment or transfer of the product
    AND
    – With the first shipment or transfer after an MSDS is updated
    AND
    – Whenever one is requested.

Note

Note:

  • MSDSs may be provided separately from containers as long as they are provided before or at the same time as the containers. For example, you may fax, or e-mail the MSDS.
  • You are NOT required to provide MSDSs to retailers who inform you they:
  • – Don’t sell the product to commercial accounts
    and
  • – Don’t open the sealed product containers for use in their workplace.

     

 

You must

  • Follow the requirements in Table 9 for chemicals sold over-the-counter.
Table 9
Requirements for Chemicals Sold Over-the-Counter (NOT Shipped)
IF you are a
THEN
  • Retail distributor WITH commercial accounts
  • Provide an MSDS to employers with commercial accounts when requested
    and
  • Post a sign, or otherwise inform employers, that MSDSs are available
  • Retail distributor WITHOUT commercial accounts
  • Provide the employer, when requested, with ALL of the following:
  • – Name
  • – Address
  • – Telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor who can provide an MSDS
  • Wholesale distributor selling products over-the-counter to employers
  • Provide an MSDS to employers with commercial accounts when requested
    and
  • Post a sign, or otherwise inform employers, that MSDSs are available

 

WAC 296-839-30015

Follow-up if an MSDS isn’t provided.

You must

  • Obtain an MSDS from the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer as soon as possible, if an MSDS isn’t provided for a shipment labeled as a hazardous chemical.