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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: MSDS Retention Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:33:41 -0600 Author: Brian Truman |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: MSDS Retention Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:00:15 -0700 Author: "Skarda, Jay" |
I am still researching the topic about MSDS retention I subm itted earlier and found this OSHA Interpretation letter from Oct. 1987, whi ch states:
This is in response to your letter of September 1, requesting an interpr etation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard.
Specifically, your letter addresses the problem of what to do with super seded material safety data sheets. The Hazard Communication Standard requires that employers maintain copies o f material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemic al used in the workplace. Employers may discard a material safety data sheet for a mixture, if the new data sheet includes the same hazardous chemicals as the original formulation. If the formulation is different then the employer must maintain both data sheets for at least 30 years. OSH A standard, 29 CFR 1910.1020, Access to employee Exposure and Medical Records defin es "employee exposure records" to include material safety data sh eets. The standard requires all employee exposure records to be maintained for at least 30 years.
An alternative to keeping both data sheets, however, is provided for in 29 CFR 1910.1020. Under paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of this standard employers may discard material safety data sheets if some record identifying the substances u sed, where it was used and when it was used is retained for at least 30 yea rs. Therefore, an employer may discard the original data sheet and retain o nly the new data sheet if a record on the original formulation is maintained.
So…. It sounds like I can discard old versions of MSDS s if we have “some record identifying the substances used, where it w as used and when it was used” and retain THAT for at least 30 years.& nbsp; I will have to determine whether I think we have that or not, I believe we do now that we are a GMP operation, but perhaps not before our GMP days.
I would still be interested in knowing others take on this a nd how they handle it.
Thanks,
Pat
From: DCHAS-
L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu]
On Behalf Of Peifer, Patricia
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:06 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] MSDS Retention
A debate has come up within our organization concern ing the retention of MSDSs. I have been saving old copies of MSDSs fo r which new revisions have been issued. My understanding is tha t this would be proof that we did have the MSDS on file if an employee claimed twenty years later that they were exposed to a chemical and said we did not provide them with adequate information. I planned on keeping them for thirty years.
Others in my organization feel I may be wasting my t ime. They feel I should be throwing out older versions and only retai ning the latest copy particularly if the revisions were not significant. They do agree however, that I should be keeping old MSDSs for chemicals for which we discontinue use.
Any thoughts? Thank you, everyone.
Pat Peifer
Health Safety and Training Team Leader
West Pharmaceutical Services
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