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OSHA - Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Definition

• The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA, is a federal government agency in the U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA's web site is http://www.osha.gov/.

The primary goals of OSHA are to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers. OSHA employs over 2,000 inspectors to ensure job site safety.

AdditionalInformation

OSHA was created by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. While many see OSHA as an intrusive government agency intent on enforcing arcane rules, the fact is that OSHA saves lives. And if that's not enough for you, their Voluntary Protection Plan (VPP) saves money by reducing the cost of injuries, accidents, downtime and litigation. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard 1910.1200 requires employers to establish hazard communication programs to transmit information on the hazards of chemicals to their employees by means of labels on containers, material safety data sheets, and training programs. Implementation of these hazard communication programs will ensure all employees have the "right-to-know" the hazards and identities of the chemicals they work with, and will reduce the incidence of chemically-related occupational illnesses and injuries.

QuickClick Safety Training - help meet OSHA requirements with this collection of 25 PowerPoint presentations. Also available: 25 pre-written safety plans. Get yours at Safety Emporium.

MSDS Relevance

The OSHA HazCom standard 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.

While this format is non-mandatory, it is a frequently utilized format. An MSDS can contain more information than that required by OSHA, but not less. In fact, OSHA now recommends that the ANSI format be utilized, but they can not mandate it without federal regulation changes (see this OSHA interpretation letter).

After years of debate, OSHA is now in the rulemaking process to bring the US into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) which will (finally) require a set MSDS format.

Form 174 has the following sections:

Chemical Identity
The identity of the substance as it appears on the label.
Section I. Manufacturer's Name and Contact Information
Manufacturer's name, address, telephone number and emergency telephone number. Date the MSDS was prepared and an optional signature of the preparer.
Section II. Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information
Lists the hazardous components by chemical identity and other common names. Includes OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit), ACGIH TLV® (Threshold Level Value) and other recommended exposure limits. Percentage listings of the hazardous components is optional.
Section III. Physical/Chemical Characteristics
Boiling point, vapor pressure, vapor density, specific gravity, melting point, evaporation rate, solubility in water, physical appearance and odor.
Section IV. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flash point (and method used to determine it), flammability limits, extinguishing media, special firefighting procedures, unusual fire and explosion hazards.
Section V. Reactivity Data
Stability, conditions to avoid, incompatibility (materials to avoid), hazardous decomposition or byproducts, hazardous polymerization (and conditions to avoid).
VI. Health Hazard Data
Routes of entry (inhalation, skin, ingestion), health hazards (acute = immediate and chronic = build up over time), carcinogenicity (NTP, IARC monographs, OSHA regulated), signs and symptoms of exposure, medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure, emergency and first aid procedures.
VII. Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled, waste disposal method, precautions to be taken in handling or storage, other precautions.
VIII. Control Measures
Respiratory protection (specify type [see respirators], ventilation (local, mechanical exhaust, special or other), protective gloves, eye protection, other protective clothing or equipment, work/hygienic practices.

Again, the ANSI format has emerged as the leading standard format for MSDS's. This format contains all of the information found on Form 174 but includes additional information/categories and has a consistent organization. Most features of the ANSI format will be incorporated into OSHA's eventual adoption of the GHS.

Books Available Hazard Communications: Right To Know", Paperback, 34 pages, 2009. Estimated price: $10.00. Info and/or order. "Hazard Communication Made Easy: A Checklist Approach to OSHA Compliance", Paperback, 310 pages, 2000. Estimated price: $94.00. Info and/or order. "Construction Safety and the OSHA Standards", Hardcover, 312 pages, 2009. Estimated price: $110.00. Info and/or order. "OSHA Guidebook for Labs", Paperback, 387 pages, 2006. Estimated price: $129.00. Info and/or order. Further Reading Go to the source! See OSHA's Hazard Communication Site. Great resource. OSHA's plain English guide to complying with the HazCom standard. Includes a handy checklist and additional material. See our annotated version of OSHA interpretations related to the HazCom Standard. New Mexico State University has a concise summary of HazCom compliance.

Ensure that your MSDS collection is "readily accessible" with these handy compliance centers from Safety Emporium.

See also: ANSI, NIOSH, WHMIS

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

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.