To finish up the year, here's another part of the Alphabet Soup Series, where I try to define one of the many acronyms we run across every day. Remember, I'm looking for more to do, so feel free to suggest some!
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document containing data regarding the properties of a potentially hazardous chemical substance. It is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner.
In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that MSDS be available to employees for potentially harmful substances handled in the workplace under the Hazard Communication regulation.
In Canada, the program known as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) establishes the requirements for MSDS's in workplaces.
OSHA has specifically excluded wood flooring from the need for an MSDS. That's right, an MSDS is not required for a processed wood floor. Glues and finishes used on the job site must have them, but processed wood flooring does not.
Happy New Year to everyone!
