MSDS: A Roadmap for Safe Storage
and Handling of Hazardous Materials
By Karen Hamel, New Pig Corporation
Although it is one of the most com-
monly violated standard, most employ-
ers are aware of the need to comply
with the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration’s (OSHA) Haz-
ard Communication Standard (HCS.)
One part of complying with this stan-
dard involves obtaining and maintain-
ing current Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) for hazardous materials used
at a facility. [29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1)]
These documents are intended to
help promote employee safety. Facility
Safety Coordinators use MSDS to ver-
ify the identity of hazardous chemicals,
devise engineering controls, and pro-
vide proper personal protective equip-
ment (PPE) for employees. In the event
of an emergency, responders and phy-
sicians use information found on MSDS
to properly respond to the situation and
treat victims.
In addition to these important health
and safety details, a properly prepared
MSDS can also provide valuable infor-
mation and insight for nearly every step
of a chemical’s life - from first receipt at
the dock door, to final disposal.
Receiving
On a hot August afternoon when a
shipment arrives at a grocery store, it is
more vital that a pallet of frozen foods
be moved quickly from the receiving
dock to the freezer than it is for a pallet
of potatoes to be immediately taken to
the produce department. The same
may be true for certain chemicals arriv-
ing at a facility.
A chemical’s physical characteristics,
such as temperature limitations or
shock sensitivity, should be listed on
the MSDS. Knowing these properties in
advance helps in several ways. For ex-
ample, if the product is temperature
sensitive, receiving crews can be alert
to handle the shipment promptly so that
it will not spoil or otherwise be compro-
mised and become unusable. For
shock-sensitive materials, proper care
can be taken not to jostle the package -
a bumpy forklift ride to the other end of
the facility may not be in order.
Some receiving crews now use co