ChemADVISOR’s MSDS Authoring course touches on a wide variety of Chemical regulations found throughout EHS&T legislation. For example, in the United States, many states have their own individual federally approved state regulatory requirements (i.e., occupational exposure limits), that may be more stringent or expansive than Federal standards, thus creating the need for this information to be captured on an MSDS while additionally having impact on other aspects of U.S. compliance.

This course begins with a discussion of the United States regulatory requirements that apply to MSDS authoring under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). It continues with a discussion of the recommendations for MSDS authoring contained within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) current standard for Hazardous Industrial Chemicals – Material Safety Data Sheets – Preparation (ANSI Z400.1), which is a voluntary consensus standard.

The course then moves on to a detailed discussion of the 16 sections of the MSDS, going through each one, section by section. Within this part of the course, attendees learn how to classify products using OSHA and ANSI criteria. The MSDS Authoring course concludes with a workshop during which the class critiques MSDSs which they themselves provide. This workshop has proven to be both a popular and an effective way of reinforcing the concepts covered in the previous three days of training.

This course is focused on United States regulatory requirements, however, international references are made throughout the course, and questions will be addressed as time allows.

This course is based primarily upon OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and Substance-specific health standards at 29 CFR 1910.1001-1052, as well as ANSI’s current standard for Hazardous Industrial Chemicals – Material Safety Data Sheets – Preparation (ANSI Z400.1). However, other U.S. federal, state, and local and international regulations are addressed in appropriate sections of the MSDS.

Additionally, advisory guidance and standards will be addressed as well as glimpses into emerging topics and legislation such as the Globally Harmonized of Classification and Labelling (GHS).

• Introduction
• What are MSDSs?
• When are MSDSs required?
• Why are MSDSs required?
• What purpose does an MSDS serve?
• Consideration of target audiences
• OSHA Hazard Communication Standard vs. ANSI Standard
• OSHA Hazard Communication
• OSHA requirements for MSDSs
• In-depth analysis of 29 CFR 1910.1200 focusing on portions applicable to MSDSs
• OSHA definitions of terms used on MSDSs
• Health and Physical Hazard definitions
• Hazard Determination Process
• Component disclosure and trade secrets under OSHA regulations
• Regulatory information required for listing on MSDSs
• MSDS Preparation in Accordance with ANSI Standard (Detailed description of the 16-section MSDS format including identification and use of pertinent information sources for inclusion in (M)SDSs)
• Section 1 – Product and Company Identification
• Section 3 – Composition / Information on Ingredients
• Section 2 – Hazard Identification
• Section 4 – First Aid Measures
• Section 5 – Fire Fighting Measures
• Section 6 – Accidental Release Measures
• Section 7 – Handling and Storage
• Section 8 – Exposure Control and Personal Protective Equipment
• Section 9 – Physical and Chemical Properties
• Section 10 – Stability and Reactivity
• Section 11 – Toxicological Information
• Section 12 – Ecological Information
• Section 13 – Disposal Considerations
• Section 14 – Transportation Information
• Section 15 – Regulatory Information
• Section 16 – Other Information
• GHS Overview
• Actual MSDS Preparation
• Students will be given product compositions or chemical formulations and will prepare an (M)SDS as the course proceeds
• Students will research hazards and properties of components using computerized and hardcopy reference sources and decide upon appropriate MSDS statements
• MSDSs will be reviewed by the instructors with the individual students to offer guidance and advice
• Workshop
• The course concludes with an open discussion on MSDS review and compliance.
• Attendees have the opportunity to submit company MSDSs for the class to comment on, guided by Course Instructors.

• None - This is an introductory course geared for individuals new to Hazard Communication, or as a refresher for experienced individuals who are working within a refocused or redefined role in HazCom.

• This course is worth 3.26 Industrial Hygiene CM Points
• 2008 (Approval #: 07-3697)
• 2009 (Approval #: 09-626)
• 2010 (Approval #: 10-450)
• This course has been pre-authorized toward recertification requirements for CHMMs.