What are Material Safety Data Sheets, and whom are they meant for?
- The MSDS is a basic hazard communication tool that details chemical and physical dangers, safety procedures, and emergency response techniques.
- Employees who may be occupationally exposed to a hazard at work
- Employers who need to know the proper methods for storage, etc.
- Emergency responders, such as firefighters, hazardous material crews, emergency medical technicians, and emergency room personnel
Resource Links
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Specification MSDS Database
All sheets are less than three years old and are Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System-compliant PDF files. Handy pop-ups in the results include additional information. Search by product and/or manufacturer.
Scorecard
Environmental Defense Fund free searchable database. These are not MSDS, but return data on human health hazards, risk assessment values, rankings, uses, environmental release information, and regulatory coverage.
Envirofacts Chemical Databases–US Environmental Protection Agency
Search US EPA information by name or CAS number. These are not MSDS but may contain useful safety and environmental information. Approximately 320 sheets are EPA–the rest are links to other sites in this section such as Scorecard (above).
Government Organizations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration