REGIONAL TECHNICIANS GROUP

Material Safety Data Sheets (updated march 2008)

Guidelines for the management of Material Safety Data Sheets in the workplace, according to WorkSafe Australia requirements, are outlined in the WorkSafe website:

http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/pagebin/hazshazd0017.htm

Summary of requirements:

• MSDS must be no older than five years.
  
• MSDS are required for all substances deemed hazardous according to criteria set down by WorkSafe Australia.
  
• All MSDS must be manufacturer-specific (i.e. if a substance is purchased from more than one manufacturer, an MSDS must be obtained from each manufacturer.)
  
• Where the original manufacturer is not known, a generic MSDS will be acceptable but on re-ordering the chemical, a new MSDS must be obtained.
  
• If uninterrupted access to a computer is available then an electronic copy of MSDS is acceptable and a paper copy need not be kept.
  
• MSDS must be available to all staff at the worksite.
  
• For all hazardous substances, there must be a monitoring and assessment system in place.
  
• When undiluted or 'neat' chemicals are sub-packaged, the manufacturer's name and emergency contact number must be included on the package label.
  
• A register must be maintained of all hazardous substances kept on site.

Links to some online MSDS

www.chemsupply.com.au

www.msdsonline.com.au

www.diggersaust.com.au

Resources available to schools:

• Material Safety Data Sheets are available on CD-ROM and include the four main suppliers of chemicals to schools: 
  APS Fine Chemicals (incorporating Ajax Chemicals), Chem-Supply Pty.Ltd., Sigma Chemical Company and Merck Australia Pty.Ltd. The MSDS CD-ROM was produced by the Australian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety on behalf of the Regional Technicians Group. Future updates will be available at which time specific chemicals and suppliers may be added.

  The CD-ROM may be used exclusively if uninterrupted access to a computer is available or, if a permanent computer is not available, the CD-ROM may be used to print off paper copies of the MSDS required.

  The use of this CD is not compulsory but schools will, however, need to organise MSDS updates for all chemicals deemed hazardous or dangerous by WorkSafe Australia directly from the suppliers or manufacturers.

• MSDS for a chemical not contained in the Regional Technicians Group CD-OM may be available through the Regional Technicians Group from the main database of the 50,000 MSDS CD-ROM from ACOHS.
• Bill Stolk has produced a template for a 'Chemical Register' in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format and the latest version is available on the Chemical Data CD-ROM distributed to schools in 2003. The register lists chemicals commonly found in schools and indicates which are deemed hazardous by WorkSafe Australia. This register may be modified to meet the requirements of the individual school's chemical stock.
• 'Monitoring & Assessment' sheets for chemicals which are commonly found in schools are also available on the Chemical Data CD-ROM. These sheets should be modified to meet the requirements of the individual school's chemical stock then a printed copy of each is required to be kept on file. Updates are made available as requirements for specific chemicals are changed.  Click here for the latest updates.
• Bob Wegman has produced small bottle labels for some of the more common chemical suppliers to W.A. schools. The labels (distributed during the Lab2000 conference) indicate the manufacturer's/distributor's name and contact number and are suitable for small sub-package bottles and dropping bottles. Contact a Regional Technician for further supplies.
• Click here for MSDS-DISC installation instructions.
• Click here for help using the MSDS-DISC.
• Click here for Diggers Australia MSDSs
  

• Specific safety information about a particular hazardous substance may be searched at the following National Occupational Health & Safety Commission web address:
  http://www.nohsc.gov.au/OHSInformation/Databases/HazardousSubstances/
  Information from this website was used as the benchmark for all of the revised labels produced by the Regional Technicians Group.

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