Sheila Dunn, D.A and Sarah E. Alholm, M.A.S.
This is the second in a series of Featured Articles that cover OSHA compliance in the medical setting. In this article, contributing authors Sheila Dunn, D.A. and Sarah Alholm, M.A.S., answer common questions regarding Material Safety Data Sheets.
What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
OSHA calls MSDS “a one-stop shopping source for everything you might need or want to know about a chemical.” MSDS are required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and provide extensive information about a particular chemical, including safety procedures to follow when working with it. Manufacturers of chemicals and drugs are legally obligated to label hazardous chemicals and provide MSDS for them.
Some on the items included on Material Safety Data Sheets:
- Chemical’s primary route of entry
- Symptoms of chemical overexposure
- PPE/ventilation needed when working with chemical
- Emergency first aid procedures for exposures
- Whether chemical is classified as hazardous waste
When are MSDS needed?
MSDS are required for any substance with a hazard warning label that employees may be exposed to. An exception is granted if the chemical is available for consumer use and is used identically, including frequency, as during consumer use. This exception means you probably won’t need MSDS for white correction fluid (unless you make a lot of mistakes!) but will for bleach (since its consumer use isn’t medical surface decontamination.)
Where can I get MSDS?
Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to provide MSDS.
Are MSDS sheets needed for the boxes of drug samples we give to patients
No, Material Safety Data Sheets are not required for drug samples distributed to patients. OSHA, in this letter of interpretation exempts FDA-approved drugs in solid final form (i.e., tablets, pills or capsules) for direct administration to the patient from MSDS requirements.
Are MSDS sheets needed for IV solutions that we administer to patients in our office?
It depends. The criteria you must consider when evaluating whether MSDS are required for IV solutions are:
- Is the substance hazardous?
- Can staff be exposed?
A response of "yes" to both questions indicates a Material Safety Data Sheet must be obtained and kept on file. Staff can definitely be exposed when preparing and administering an IV, so let's look at some examples and consider whether the substance is hazardous:
- Aggrastat -- hazardous, MSDS required
- Brevibloc -- hazardous, MSDS required
- Dextrose -- not hazardous, no MSDS required
- Heparin -- hazardous, MSDS required
- Saline -- not hazardous, no MSDS required
- Sterile Water -- not hazardous, no MSDS required
Look at the package insert for drugs you administer to determine if they are hazardous, and therefore require MSDS. If you can't tell from the package insert, err on the side of caution and request the MSDS from the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
About the Authors:
Dr. Sheila Dunn, president and CEO of Quality America, Inc., holds a doctoral degree in clinical laboratory science. Sarah Alholm, an occupational safety professional, is the OSHA product manager at Quality America.
Read more about medical OSHA compliance:
OSHA’s Medical Services First Aid Requirements: An Overview