2. Material Safety Data Sheets
Introduction
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide the information needed to allow the safe handling of hazardous substances used at the workplace. University employees are required to comply with these procedures for the management of hazardous substances.
2.1 Legal Requirements
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld) and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, 2008 Hazardous Substances, require that MSDSs be supplied for all hazardous substances in the workplace.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, the supplier or the importer to provide a MSDS for any hazardous material supplied to the workplace.
It is the responsibility of the employer (the University) to request a MSDS for all hazardous substances and to ensure that the MSDS is easily accessible to all persons using the substance and that a central register of hazardous substances is maintained.
Material Safety Data Sheets must be in accordance with the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, 2008 Hazardous Substances. A MSDS should provide sufficient information to enable users of the hazardous substance to handle them safely, to understand their potential dangers and to take appropriate action in case of an emergency.
2.2 Obtaining a MSDS
Cost centres must request that a MSDS be supplied with the first delivery of a hazardous substance. There is no need to obtain MSDSs with every delivery, unless the information on the MSDS has been changed.
A Material Safety Data sheet older than five years must be updated by the supplier at the request of the University.
A supplier must provide a MSDS if requested by the University.
2.2.1 Manufacturers, suppliers and importers
Where a MSDS has not been provided, the purchasing officer must request it from the manufacturer, importer or supplier.
If the MSDS will not be provided the purchaser is NOT to accept delivery.
Attachment 1 is a sample letter which may be used to request a MSDS by mail or fax. Refer also to Section 4 - Purchasing, for information on the procedures for purchasing hazardous substances.
The hazardous substance must not be placed in the workplace until the manufacturer's, importer's or supplier's MSDS is available in the workplace.
The USQ Bookshop does not have to supply a MSDS if the product supplied is for retail sale and is contained in a consumer package that will not be opened in the store. The USQ Bookshop must however abide by all other requirements under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld).
2.2.2 Overseas MSDSs
Occasionally an overseas MSDS does not meet the standard described in the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets. In this situation the University may after consultation with employees and USQSafe, arrange for the overseas MSDS to be made available as an interim measure (on condition that the overseas/foreign MSDS can be completely understod by USQ), pending the production by the supplier or importer of an appropriate material safety data sheet.
Refer to the Chemwatch computer system in use in some faculties for a MSDS.
2.2.3 Hazardous substances produced at USQ
For hazardous substances produced at the University, the University has the following responsibilities as the manufacturer:
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to undertake a risk assessment;
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to determine if a substance is hazardous;
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to prepare a MSDS as soon as possible after the substance is produced;
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to ensure the MSDS is kept current and is reviewed at least every five years;
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to ensure an appropriate label is fixed to the container of a hazardous substance when it is supplied for use in a workplace.
To obtain information about health hazards and precautions for inclusion in a MSDS, it may be necessary to contact USQSafe or the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland.
The National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances state that if it manufactures a hazardous substance, the University must develop a MSDS and send a copy to the Australian National Material Safety Data Sheet Repository, maintained by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council. Further information is available from USQSafe.
2.3 Content of MSDSs
Manufacturers and importers have an obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, 2008 Hazardous Substances to provide correct and up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets. The checklist below outlines the key information to be included in a MSDS.
2.3.1 Checklist - Material Safety Data Sheet
Supplier details
Details of hazardous substance
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Product name or names
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Australian Dangerous Goods classification, UN number, Subsidiary Risk and Hazchem code, as appropriate.
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Chemical and physical properties
- ingredients
- boiling point, melting point, flash point, vapour pressure, etc
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Health hazards
- acute and chronic health effects by the four main routes of exposure or contact (swallowing, eyes, skin, inhaling)
Safe use instructions
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Exposure standards relating to the ingredients of the product
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Engineering controls and personal protective equipment requirements
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Safe handling information for storage, transport, disposal, etc
Emergency responses
Other information
A sample MSDS is included in Attachment 2.
2.3.2 Modifying a MSDS
The information on MSDSs must not be altered by a user; otherwise that person becomes legally responsible for the information. MSDS may only be changed in accordance with an amendment by the manufacturer or importer.
If anyone wishes to add information to the supplier's MSDS, it should be added on a separate page and be clearly marked as not part of the original MSDS. A copy must then be sent to USQSafe for checking prior to the MSDS going in the workplace.
2.4 Register of MSDSs
A register of current MSDSs must be maintained in hard copy in each cost centre at the University where hazardous substances are used.
A copy of a MSDS must be placed in the Register immediately it is received or prepared.
Each cost centre must also keep a copy of the MSDS in the workplace close enough to where the substance is being used to allow easy reference for employees and students who may be exposed to the substance. Where a MSDS is stored on a computer database, there must be a means of printing out the data sheet in a paper copy.
The Category 4 Delegate must ensure that employees and others are made aware of the location of the MSDS and the register and that they are trained in how to access information.
2.5 Outdated MSDSs
A material safety data sheet older than five years must be updated by the supplier at the request of the University.
All material safety data sheets must be retained for 30 years from the date of issue. The Category 4 Delegate should forward outdated or superseded MSDSs to USQSafe for archive storage.
2.6 USQSafe Contact
Manager, USQSafe
2.7 Status
Published October 1998
Reviewed October 2009
2.8 References
Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld)
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 Hazardous Substances (Qld)
Hazardous Substances Code of Practice 2003
2.9 Attachments
Attachment 1 - Sample Request for MSDS (PDF 14.4kb)
Attachment 2 - Sample MSDS (PDF 19.4kb)