The decades old rock of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Hazard Communication Standard has reached the end of its effectiveness and is being replaced by the simpler, Safety Data Sheet. The switchover to the single format SDS was announced in 2012 and the final deadline for replacing the MSDS has arrived.
MSDS are documents accompanying hazardous chemicals providing safety information about the particular item. The sheet, which can consist of many pages, warns users about dangerous effects, safe exposure, interactions and health information and first aid procedures. Handling, storage and disposal instructions are included in the MSDS too, all information useful to those who handle the materials as well as those who respond to emergencies where these things are located.
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