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OSHA began requiring MSDS's for hazardous materials effective May 26, 1986.

The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for the Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. The purpose of this standard is "to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets and employee training."
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) specifies the required elements that must be on an MSDS among other important data. It is a very readable document, and we suggest that anyone involved with MSDS management print out a hard copy for future reference.
OSHA has a suggested format for MSDS's, Form 174 (OMB #1218-0072). You can download this form in HTML format from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration world wide web site if you wish. Form 174 format is not mandatory; in fact, OSHA now recommends that the ANSI format be used. An MSDS can contain more information than that required by OSHA, but not less.
Other regulations address MSDS's as well. For example, the U. S. Government's Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Community Right to Know Law (SARA Title III) is another set of regulations you'll want to consult.
State and Local Agencies
Many state laws may require or govern the content of MSDS's. Some of these are state Right to Know Laws. There are so many of these that we can not even begin to list them here!
If you are uncertain as to which laws apply to you, contact both your state and federal EPA and OSHA compliance (not enforcement!) offices.
Other Countries
Regulations similar to OSHA's are found in virtually every country, but these tend to vary slightly. Consult the International section of this FAQ for more information.

Other states have adopted non-federally funded safety and health programs that cover their state or certain counties, cities or municipalities, so just because your state is not on the list mentioned above, it doesn't mean that OSHA regulations (or their equivalents) are not in place! In addition, state or local "Right-To-Know" laws may (or may not) include specific hazard communications type requirements (such as MSDS). And, of course, SARA Title III also covers MSDS's.
Regardless of the state/federal coverage, your employer's insurance carrier may stipulate that your workplace meet OSHA standards even if they are not required to statute. And, of course, from a legal liability standpoint meeting (or exceeding) OSHA standards is probably a good idea.
Bottom line: If you're not sure what laws are applicable in your situation, especially if you work for a public agency, contact your local OSHA compliance office; they might be able to direct you to appropriate agencies.

The only exception for this is when the material can release only a "very small quantities", i.e. a trace amount of hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use or a forseeable emergency. That does not mean a small amount. For example, in an OSHA Interpretation titled "Release of hazardous chemicals from gas calibration bottles", OSHA says that 2 ounces of ammonia requires an MSDS.
When trying to make a case for "trace amount", one has to consider if it is possible for an individual to be exposed to an amount of material that could cause harm. In the case above, an individual could conceivably release the contents of the cylinder into his/her face, causing harm. Likewise, the continuous release of just 25 ppm of hydrogen sulfide could cause serious harm!
Remember, OSHA does does not define something as hazardous in a particular amount.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS **MAY** BE EXEMPTED Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 (OSHA wording is in green). If a material is hazardous and not listed below, then it generally requires an MSDS:
| Articles | |
|---|---|
| An "article" means a manufactured item: (1) which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture (2) which has end use function(s) dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during end use; and (3) which does not release, or otherwise result in exposure to, a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use. Any product which meets the definition of an "article," would be exempt from the requirements of the Standard.
Note that OSHA cannot make an across-the-board determination of a products' exclusion as an "article." The standard's definition by its very wording imposes the need to make case-by-case evaluations. Consequently, a blanket exemption for specific products cannot be given by OSHA. | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Food, Food additives (colors, flavors, fragrances), Alcoholic Beverages | |
|---|---|
|
Food and food products are...not totally exempt from coverage under the provisions of the HCS. Exempt items generally include food or alcoholic beverages which are sold, used, or prepared in a retail establishment (such as a grocery store, restaurant, or drinking place), and foods intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace. HOWEVER: if, under normal conditions of use, [the] product could result in a hazardous exposure situation for downstream employees who will be working with or otherwise handling that product then an MSDS is required. For example, flour dust poses an explosion hazard and would require an MSDS. | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations | |
| Cosmetics | |
|---|---|
|
Cosmetics which are packaged for sale to consumers in a retail establishment, and cosmetics intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace are generally exempt. Therefore, your supermarket doesn't need MSDS's if they sell prepackaged cosmetics, but your local beauty salon (which uses these occupationally) or a cosmetic manufacturing plant would require MSDS's.
| |
| Official OSHA Interpretations | |
| Drugs and Pharmaceuticals | |
|---|---|
| Drugs regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are covered by the HCS. However, section (b)(6)(vii) of the HCS exempts FDA drugs when in solid final form, such as tablets or pills, for direct administration to the patient.
That section exempts any drug, as that term is defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), when it is:
Note: Remember that MSDS's are not meant for consumers. Given the likelihood of patient confusion, most drug companies do not make their MSDS's freely available to the general public. MSDS's for drugs are the most difficult to find on the Internet and usually require direct contact with the manufacturer.
| |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Hazardous Wastes and Remediation | |
|---|---|
The HazCom standard does not apply to
| |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Tobacco and tobacco products | |
|---|---|
| The HazCom standard does not apply to tobacco and tobacco products. Therefore, these do not generally require MSDS's. Tobacco and safety are mutually exclusive anyway... We have no further information concerning the HazCom standard and tobacco. Please contact us if you can enlighten us. | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Wood and lumber | |
|---|---|
| The standard does not apply to
wood or wood products, including lumber which will not be processed, where the chemical manufacturer or importer can establish that the only hazard they pose to employees is the potential for flammability or combustibility (wood or wood products which have been treated with a hazardous chemical covered by this standard, and wood which may be subsequently sawed or cut, generating dust, are not exempted). Hardwood dusts pose a carcinogenic hazard. Likewise, wood preservatives such as chromium copper arsenate (CCA) also pose hazards. In each case, an MSDS is required. For comprehensive information about wood dusts in the workplace, see OSHA's Wood Dust Technical Links Page. | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Consumer Products | |
|---|---|
| The HCS exempts any consumer product or hazardous substance, as those terms are defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.) and Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.) respectively, where the employer can show that it is used in the workplace for the purpose intended by the chemical manufacturer or importer of the product, and the use results in a duration and frequency of exposure which is not greater than the range of exposures that could reasonably be experienced by consumers when used for the purpose intended. For example, if one uses window cleaner in the workplace to occasionally clean a window then the employer is not required to keep an MSDS on this material. However, if it is the employee's duty to clean windows all day long in an occupational fashion then an MSDS would be required. It is the employer's responsibility to establish that the frequency is equivalent to typical consumer use. OSHA inspectors will question your employees to verify this claim, so do not be deceptive; the penalties for such willful violations are significant.
| |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
| Nuisance Particulates and Dusts | |
|---|---|
| The HCS specifically exempts Nuisance particulates where the chemical manufacturer or importer can establish that they do not pose any physical or health hazard covered under this section. Of course, this is rather redundant. Anything lacking physical and health hazards is not hazardous and, therefore, does not require an MSDS. Note: many dusts, including flour and hardwood dusts, have physical and/or health hazards and would require an MSDS. Manufacturers of nuisance particulate are still required to perform a hazard evaluation and determine whether or not their products present any of the specific hazards covered by the HCS. OSHA has reason to believe that a number of these particulate do present physical hazards, such as the potential for fire and explosion, and others may have some health effect, such as irritation. For example, according to a Bureau of mines report entitled, The Explosibility of Agricultural Dust, corn starch and powdered sugar are considered to be "strong" explosion hazards.
| |
| Official OSHA Interpretations | |
| Ionizing and nonionizing radiation | |
|---|---|
| Radioactive materials are exempt from coverage under the HCS if the only hazard they pose is radiological. However, if the material also possesses physical or health hazard, then an MSDS is required. See Occupational safety and health guideline for uranium and insoluble compounds, for example. Radiological hazards are addressed in at least partial fashion in the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER, 29 CFR 1910.120), the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CF 1910.134) (and possibly others). | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations | |
| Biological Hazards | |
|---|---|
| Biological hazards (biohazards, biohazardous materials) are exempt from coverage under the HCS if the only hazard they pose is biological. However, if the material also possesses physical or health hazard, then an MSDS is required. Examples of biohazards include microbes, anthrax, vaccines, and cell cultures. Note: Biological hazards are addressed in at least partial fashion in the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER, 29 CFR 1910.120), the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CF 1910.134) (and possibly others). | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations | |
| Office and School Supplies | |
|---|---|
| According to the first OSHA interpretation listed below, "...clerical workers...may not be subject to the requirements of the HCS. Office workers who encounter hazardous chemicals only in isolated instances are not covered by the rule. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers most office products (such as pens, pencils, adhesive tape) to be exempt under the provisions of the rule, either as articles or as consumer products. For example,...[consider]...copier toner. OSHA has previously stated that intermittent or occasional use of a copying machine does not result in coverage under the rule. However, if an employee handles the chemicals to service the machine, or operates it for long periods of time, then the program would have to be applied." For example, if an employee uses a solvent to clean a typewriter once a year, that situation does not require an MSDS. But if the employee cleans typewriters every day as a repair person, then an MSDS is required. | |
| Official OSHA Interpretations |
|
There will likely be occasions when someone will ask for an MSDS when one is not required or demand a written statement that no MSDS is required. See How should we handle MSDS requests for materials that do not require an MSDS? for further information.

For items that are specifically exempted from coverage under the Standard, your statement should reflect the specific exemption(s) and the specific paragraph(s) of the standard which applies.
For more information see this OSHA interpretation letter titled Application of the Hazard Communication Standard to art materials industry and Appendix A of the OSHA Inspection Procedures for the HazCom Standard.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires a "downstream flow" of information. For example, the original manufacturer or importer, Employer A, must create an MSDS for any hazardous chemical that they produce. When they ship that to a commercial customer or distributor, Employer B, they must send the MSDS to Employer B. If Employer B then ships the chemical to another firm, Employer C, it is Employer B's responsibility to pass the MSDS "downstream" to Employer C. In other words, the information flows:
Employer A
Employer B
Employer C
Your primary obligation in supplying MSDSs is to your direct customers, that is, your distributors. You must provide a copy of the MSDS with the first shipment to each of your direct customers, and, if the MSDS for one of your products is updated, you must send the updated MSDS with the next shipment of the product to that direct customer. Your distributors are, in turn, responsible for supplying a copy of the MSDS with the first shipment to each of their direct customers, and so on...
However, because this chain of information transmission through the distributor can sometimes be broken, OSHA has added the requirement that manufacturers must provide a copy of the MSDS to other "downstream" employers upon request. Your
"FAX-on-demand" system can be used to fulfill this requirement. Please refer to revised language in paragraphs (g)(6) and (g)(7) of the standard for additional clarification on requirements for providing MSDSs.
In general, if you need an MSDS, you should get it from your "upstream" supplier. If that is not possible, then the manufacturer must supply one on request (as long as you are an employer that requires an MSDS under the Hazard Communication Standard).
See also: Manufacturer and employer responsibilities when providing MSDSs electronically for more on downstream flow and manufacturer responsibilities.

Dozens of homeowners have asked us about demanding/requesting MSDS's from contractors whose work they believe has caused them harm - for example, fumes, odors and/or illnesses from newly installed carpet, flooring, sealants etc. Although most contractors will gladly provide an MSDS, they are under no regulatory obligation to do so. If you are certain that the material meets the OSHA definition of hazardous then the contractor is required to have an MSDS for his employee's use. If not, he is in violation of OSHA regulations. Just the threat of reporting the contractor to OSHA for willful non-compliance is probably enough to change his mind. Alternatively, a letter from an attorney might work, too. If you have no luck with the contractor, try the original manufacturer's web site or toll-free number. But if you want to know for certain whether there are potentially hazardous fumes in your house, have the air professionally tested. Look under "Laboratories, Analytical" or "Laboratories, Testing" in your local yellow pages.
If you are intent on having copies of MSDS's for all hazardous chemicals used during a home repair project, you should list this as an explicit requirement in the written contract. Of course, MSDS's aren't meant for consumers, but they seem to give some folks a peace of mind.
What about those signs you see in home improvement stores about MSDS's being available on request? Yes, MSDS"s are available there, but under the "downstream flow" concept and as discussed in paragraph (g)(7) of 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard, the store is only obligated to give them to customers who are employers. Therefore, a consumer who asks may or may not get one, but there is no harm in asking!

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Notice: This page is copyright 1998-2013 by ILPI and was last updated Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.