Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is MSDS Outsourcing?
What is MSDS Outsourcing?
The OHS Authoring, Reference & Hazard Communication business specializes in researching, creating, translating, maintaining, and distributing MSDSs. Our business and all of our resources focus on these areas. Our customers are in the business of processing, distributing or using chemicals. MSDS management is not a burden to OHS—it is our business. We solve the challenges that chemical manufacturers, distributors and customers face in all areas of MSDS management.
OHS provides a variety of authoring solutions for companies who ultimately deliver MSDSs. We customize our services to meet the unique business requirements of our customer.
What is an "independently-researched" MSDS?
The OHS team includes experts in tracking regulations, studies, and other related data required for MSDSs and other health and safety data services, resulting in the highest quality MSDSs available in the chemical and process industries. Our independence results in MSDSs that contain unbiased and objective information on the hazards of a chemical. OHS MSDSs are updated quarterly, ensuring that you have the most current and accurate information.
Our industry standard MSDSs are available for more than 50,000 Pure and Mixture substances.
Why should I buy an OHS MSDS collection when MSDSs are free on the Internet or from the manufacturer?
There are many sources of safety data on the Web, most of which are created as a consequence of manufacturers selling chemicals. The manufacturer creates the MSDS as a part of its product development cost, and provides it in response to regulatory requirements.
Elsevier MDL is not a chemical manufacturer. OHS MSDSs are the result of an original research process which does not depend on manufacturer MSDSs as the primary source of information. The reason that many people pay for OHS MSDSs is that we provide:
- A more complete and up-to-date MSDS in many cases
- MSDSs in alternative languages and formats
- Standardized, consistent and usable formats across thousands of MSDSs
- Data extracted from the MSDSs for use in related EH&S applications
To see examples of OHS MSDSs, check out our OHS HazCom System demonstration or the sample Outsourcing MSDSs.
Are OHS MSDSs compliant with OSHA regulations?
Yes, OHS MSDSs are compliant. OHS MSDSs meet the criteria outlined below by OSHA. Quote excerpted from 1995 Draft, Hazard Communication Standard (20 CFR 1910.1200(g)), Interpretive Quips:
"Question: Specific chemicals such as acetone, xylene, etc. do not always come from the same manufacturer and each manufacturer supplies an MSDS for their chemicals. Is it necessary to have in the central repository copies of all MSDSs from each company or could one complete MSDS serve the needs for all acetone, etc. used for routine purposes, emergency situations or both?
"Answer: Given the performance oriented nature of the standard, an employer must be certain that employees are provided the necessary information concerning the hazards of chemicals in the workplace. There are a number of concerns with the approach you describe. First, you must ensure that the specific identity on the MSDS can be cross referenced to the corresponding label of the hazardous chemical containers [(29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(i))]. Second, the employer must ensure that employees are informed during the hazard communication training of this practice of using one MSDS as representative of all vendors, otherwise it could lead to confusion [(29 CFR 1920.1200(h)(3)(iv))]. Third, the MSDS you select must have complete and accurate information as required by section (g)(5) of the HCS. And finally, the standard requires that the MSDS contain the name, address and telephone number of the party who prepares or distributes the MSDS [(29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(xii))]. The party listed must be able to provide additional information on the hazardous chemicals or clarification of the information on the MSDS, as well as, additional emergency procedures, if necessary, in lieu of the actual manufacturer. A chemical manufacturer, importer or distributor may not wish to and is not required to act as the responsible party for a chemical that they did not produce."
What kinds of chemicals are included in OHS MSDS Databases?
Go to information on OHS MSDS ON DISC coverage
Go to information on Pure Substance Database coverage
Go to information on Mixture Substance Database coverage
How often are OHS MSDSs updated?
All OHS MSDSs are updated quarterly. This a key difference in OHS originally-authored MSDS data. Customer rely on OHS to provide maintenance that is reliable and up to date.
For outsourced authoring customers, OHS maintains their specific repository of MSDSs and delivers these quarterly.
How do I purchase an OHS Safety Series product?
Call us at 615-366-2000 ext. 5105 to place an order for any product or download an
order form and fax your order to the number provided at the bottom of the form. For more information, please contact us at ohs@mdl.com.Chemical manufacturing companies are supposed to provide material safety data sheets for free. Why should I purchase an OHS MSDS Database?
Chemical manufacturing companies do supply material safety data sheets for free when you purchase a chemical. If you have purchased a chemical from a distributor, the distributor is required to provide the MSDS rather than the manufacturer. Although the chemical supplier provides the MSDS, the compliance burden and subsequent regulatory fines are on the downstream user. Frequently MSDS's sit in a file cabinet or notebook on the loading dock. There are no checks or balances to insure that the MSDS list matches the chemical list. Furthermore, when you have multiple manufacturers and suppliers, the quantity and burden of maintaining and updating the MSDS library grows. Revisions are typically piled into the same folder or notebook. The OHS HazCom System reduces the paperwork burden, insures that your chemical list is matched with the latest version of the MSDS and maintains your compliance with federal, state and local laws.
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