PracticeWatch SDS
New OSHA Requirements
SDS Compliance Deadline: June 1, 2016
What is SDS?
A safety data sheet (SDS), material safety data sheet (MSDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is an important component of product stewardship and occupational safety and health. It is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with a substance in a safe manner, and includes information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill-handling procedures. SDS formats can vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_data_sheet
OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html
Why do I care?
In 2013, Hazard Communication violations became the second most common OSHA citation. Fines can be as high as $7,000 per day per incident and up to $70,000 for repeated and willful violations. Electronic online (M)SDS management will meet new requirements; however, online management must be product-specific to your practice. You cannot rely on (M)SDSs housed on manufacturers' websites. Employees can file anonymous complaints about employer compliance.
What can I do about it?
Open an account with our SDS catalog, create a virtual binder, and place your products there. You will have instant access to all your SDS/MSDS.
How do I look up an SDS?
Login into your account and search for any part of the product name (SKU, description, category, etc.). Our system returns all matches including pictures when available. Once you see the product in question, click on it to view its SDS.
What if I don't find a product?
The SDS database is very large and always growing. If you have a product that is not in our database, click the "Report" button to report it to us. We will promptly look into it and add it to our database. This is why it is imperative that you build your virtual binder right-away.
Can you help me build my virtual binder?
Yes, and our price depends on the complexity of your catalog. For example, if you have mostly Patterson products, you can expect to pay $250–$500. If you have products from 20–50 different vendors, you can expect to pay $2,500–$5,000.
Contact us and tell us about your practice.
Do I have to have hard copies of the SDS?
No—online is fine, plus online lets you search very quickly.
What does OSHA mean by "readily available and up-to-date"?
Your practice needs to:
- Provide "easy" access to anyone who requests the SDS
- Provide "easy" access to anyone who is employed by the practice
- Make sure that you have the latest version of the SDS
- Make sure that you have the SDS for ONLY the products in your practice