From:
Info <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Question about SDS access on other campuses
Date:
Mar 19, 2025 16:39 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<E859388D-9AB7-4E1A-9CBC-DA9C1F2CB63D**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com>
In-Reply-To:
<CAFCR6ubP6oMAT0=KPTTL4F3m07fPS8ziUTD=+RXd+dzqqPM-Jg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
I suspect some companies do limit their availability just so consumers aren’t getting their hands on them and misinterpreting the information as SDS’s are meant for those working with products in an occupational fashion, not consumers. And also because they are not legally required to provide them to anyone that is not using them in an occupational fashion, so it keeps their work load down:
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/faq/partb.html#downstream And then there’s basic ignorance, web site incompetence and more.
I, too, would expect SDS’s to be readily accessible and not restricted to one or two sectors of an organization as you never know when a chemical is going to find a new location, a new employee will start working with it etc. etc. Indeed, under the HazCom Standard 1910.1200, OSHA's “ready access” requirement is that there be no barriers to an employee finding the information they need. In the rare event of an OSHA inspection, the inspector can randomly ask an employee to locate the SDS for the material they are working with and the employer can be cited if there are barriers to access or the employee does not know how. See
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/faq/partd.html#readyaccess
Best wishes,
Rob Toreki
LabLocks™ - The first device that can lock out standard laboratory ball valves: https://www.safetyemporium.com/07400
US-Made NIOSH and FDA-approved N95 respirators: https://www.safetyemporium.com/safety-items/respirators/
Safety Emporium - Laboratory and Safety Supplies https://www.SafetyEmporium.comesales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012
On Mar 19, 2025, at 11:49 AM, David EldrEdge <Dave.EldrEdge**At_Symbol_Here**NALTIC.COM> wrote:
I'm curious why SDS access at a university would need to be restricted from easy public access.
I understand that in industry, companies like BASF tend to limit SDS distribution to avoid giving competitors easy access to proprietary formulations.
However, in an academic setting where safety is paramount, I’d expect SDSs to be readily accessible to students, faculty, emergency responders, and possibly even contractors.
Are there specific concerns driving these restrictions in university environments?
Looking forward to hearing your perspectives.
Warm regards,
David EldrEdge
Co-Owner
NALTIC Industrials, LLC
888.891.0077 Main
435.503.4972 Cell
435.767.7714 Google Voice & Text
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