| The Home page of ILPI's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Resource, the leader in SDS information since 1995! | |
| The history and philosophy behind this resource. | |
| A curated collection of books and reference materials concerning Safety Data Sheets and closely related topics. | |
| Paste your plain text SDS into the SDS-Demystifier, and it will be converted into a hypertext-enriched document with links to detailed explanations of each key term. | |
| An extensive list of frequently asked questions about Safety Data Sheets including regulations, content, compliance, and more. | |
| A humorous take on Safety Data Sheet jargon. Fill in the blanks on our entry form to generate a personalized Unsafety Data Sheet to share with your coworkers. | |
| Since 1995, we've maintained this massive curated list of the best places to find Safety Data Sheets on the Internet. | |
| Way more than a glossary, this hypertext-enhanced resource covers hundreds of SDS-related terms and expert knowledge. Each entry includes both the SDS relevance and links to additional authoritative resources. | |
| Archived results of Safety Data Sheet related polls taken by some of our millions of site visitors | |
| You are here! The OSHA regulations behind SDS regulations, including the inspection guidelines and over 400 official interpretations letters under the Hazard Communication Standard | |
| Commercial suppliers of SDS authoring and management software as well as cloud compliance services. | |
| Commercial companies that will create SDS's for your specific needs as well as SDS translation companies. |
Interactive Learning Paradigms, Incorporated
Safety signs, banners, and scoreboards? Get yours at Safety Emporium!
| Title: 01/29/1990 - OSHA requirements for cleaning chemicals. | |
| Record Type: Interpretation | Standard Number: 1910.1200 |
January 29, 1990
The Honorable Guy Vander Jagt
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Vander Jagt:
This is in response to your letter of December 13 to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding an inquiry on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Joe Huf of Hudsonville, Michigan. In a telephone request to your office, Mr. Huf expressed concern about an apparent product endorsement by OSHA that appears on a all-purpose cleaning product manufactured by a competitor's company.
According to the product literature forwarded with your letter, the product "3D Supreme Degreaser/Cleaner Concentrate" claims to "meet or exceed OSHA requirements for health and safety. (Material safety data sheets are available)." The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not set "requirements" for cleaning chemicals. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200 does, however, require that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported into the United States be evaluated and that information concerning any associated health or physical hazards be transmitted to employees via comprehensive hazard communication programs. The programs are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and employee training.
|
The product literature you sent us states that "material safety data sheets are available," which would indicate that the chemical manufacturer has performed a hazard determination on the product and has found it to contain hazardous chemicals, since he has produced and has available a MSDS (no MSDS is required if the product does not contain hazardous chemicals). The chemical manufacturer must transmit the MSDS (and appropriate warning labels) to downstream employers with the initial product shipment or whenever there is new hazard information reported on the MSDS. Retail distributors of hazardous chemicals do not have to provide MSDS to commercial customers unless requested to do so (i.e., when retail products are packaged for sale to consumers, no MSDS need be provided unless the product will not be used in the same manner as a normal consumer would use it). OSHA does not prohibit the manufacturer of the product in question from stating that his product "meets OSHA requirements" if he is providing material safety data sheets and hazard information as required under the HCS. Other OSHA health standards may apply to workplace situations where the product Mr. Huf is concerned about is used. For example, depending on the ingredients contained in the cleaner and it's manner of use, employee protection may be required, including ventilation controls, personal protective equipment, clothing or gloves, or other applicable precautions. This assessment should be made by the employer, again, based on the unique conditions of use of the product at that establishment. |  Ensure that your MSDS collection is "readily accessible" with these handy compliance centers from Safety Emporium.
|
Sincerely,
Gerard F. Scannell
Assistant Secretary
The original official public domain version of this document is available from OSHA at XXXOSHAURL.