Online MSDS Links

The Office of Occupational and Environmental Safety maintains a file of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sheets for LSU. Each laboratory or other location where chemicals are used by personnel is required to have MSDS sheets accessible to people working with chemicals at all times. Our files are hard copy files and must be copied to be used. MSDS sheets may be made available via computer. When you need an MSDS that is not in your hard copy file, you may find the Internet a good source. There are a number of Internet accessible MSDS servers:

• MSDSDigital.com
• A widely used web server is: University of Vermont - SIRI MSDS Index
• For products purchased from Grainer, a wide range of products, including solvents, paints, and welding rods can be found through this source. Go to the Grainger SDS Search page.
• Chemical Register is an online chemical buyers guide.
• If you can't find what you're looking for, try: Where to find Material Safety Data Sheets on the Internet
• CAMEO Chemicals
• General safety and health information is available from NIOSH as International Chemical Safety Cards.
• LSU Enviromental Health and Safety - Office of Environmental Health and Safety - LSU EHS | Contact Us

 

Save the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

If you receive a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with a chemical shipment, please do not throw it away. That document is sent for several reasons and is more important than you may realize.

First, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that MSDSs "shall be maintained and kept in a readily accessible area". That means that MSDSs for the hazardous substances that you work with should be available and accessible to you. Any MSDSs that you receive with shipments or that you receive separately should be placed in your MSDS binder or file.

In addition to the compliance requirements, MSDSs should be kept and maintained because they provide necessary, helpful, and useful information on the properties of the chemical or chemical product. You should familiarize yourself with those properties, such as flammability, corrosiveness, and toxicity, as well as storage and handling information, before you work with the chemical. Also, it is vital to your personal safety that you are able to refer to that MSDS immediately in the event of an emergency such as a spill, fire, or physical contact with the chemical. So, the next time you receive an MSDS, remember that it provides important and necessary health and safety information.