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