On Jan 16, 2010, at 7:47 AM, david.iacovone**At_Symbol_Here**ATT.NET wrote:
One thing I would like to see, and many of my colleagues agree, is more
uniformity with regards to the layout of MSDSs. There are content
requirements, but to my knowledge, no requirement for format.
Under the HazCom Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, there is no required format.
The required *content* is found in paragraph (g); see
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/osha/1910_1200.html#1910.1200(g)
OSHA used to recommend their own Form 174, but has encouraged the ANSI
format for many years now. Most manufacturers have moved towards ANSI in
recent years, but, again, there is no regulatory mandate for that. See:
OSHA 174 format: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/osha.html
ANSI format: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ansi.html
But there is light on the horizon!
Once the US adopts the Globally Harmonized System, MSDS's will finally
have a set format which basically mirrors the ANSI format. It will be a
number of years before the rule making process results in the biggest
change to the HazCom Standard since it was written, and I think that a
lots of folks on the list would want to contribute their thoughts during
the public comment periods this will entail. See:
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ghs.html and references therein.
While the "Globally Harmonized System" name suggests that MSDS's around
the world will have the same format, there will still be some differences.
The GHS is a model framework only and can't be applied everywhere
unchanged. For example, the GHS calls for complete toxicological and
ecological information, including consumer protection, an area that is
outside OSHA's authority. Likewise, GHS requires transportation
information that, in the US, falls under DOT. Nonetheless, it will
greatly align MSDS's around the world and make life easier with respect to
import/export.
Rob Toreki
=====================================================
Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names
you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com
esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412
Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012
I believe the public comment period for
written comments was closed on 12/29/09. Everyone in this discussion must
read the HazCom proposal! The preamble, while not riveting reading, is
a must for all us safety folks who rely on MSDSs. You can access it at
http://osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html
I've heard that the proposed standard
should be a "final" within 18 months. It will then be 2 years
for us to retrain everyone (the hazard classes are changing) & 3 years
for manufacturers to rewrite & distribute all their new MSDSs.
Kim Auletta
Lab Safety Specialist
EH&S Z=6200
Stony Brook University
kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu
631-632-3032
EH&S Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/
Remember to wash your hands!
| From:
| ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
|
| To:
| DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
|
| Date:
| 01/16/2010 02:20 PM
|
| Subject:
| Re: [DCHAS-L] 4 more on MSDS's and DOT
|
| Sent by:
| DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU> |
On Jan 16, 2010, at 7:47 AM, david.iacovone**At_Symbol_Here**ATT.NET
wrote:
One thing I would like to see, and many of my colleagues
agree, is more uniformity with regards to the layout of MSDSs. There
are content requirements, but to my knowledge, no requirement for format.
Under the HazCom Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, there is
no required format. The required *content* is found in paragraph
(g); see http://www.ilpi.com/msds/osha/1910_1200.html#1910.1200(g)
OSHA used to recommend their own Form 174, but has encouraged
the ANSI format for many years now. Most manufacturers have moved
towards ANSI in recent years, but, again, there is no regulatory mandate
for that. See:
OSHA 174 format: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/osha.html
ANSI format: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ansi.html
But there is light on the horizon!
Once the US adopts the Globally Harmonized System, MSDS's
will finally have a set format which basically mirrors the ANSI format.
It will be a number of years before the rule making process results
in the biggest change to the HazCom Standard since it was written, and
I think that a lots of folks on the list would want to contribute their
thoughts during the public comment periods this will entail. See:
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ghs.html
and references therein.
While the "Globally Harmonized System" name
suggests that MSDS's around the world will have the same format, there
will still be some differences. The GHS is a model framework only
and can't be applied everywhere unchanged. For example, the GHS calls
for complete toxicological and ecological information, including consumer
protection, an area that is outside OSHA's authority. Likewise, GHS
requires transportation information that, in the US, falls under DOT. Nonetheless,
it will greatly align MSDS's around the world and make life easier with
respect to import/export.
Rob Toreki
======================================================
Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring
brand names
you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com
esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com
or toll-free: (866) 326-5412
Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012
