Safety Data Sheets

A Safety Data Sheet or SDS (formerly called MSDS) is an informational sheet developed by manufacturers to provide end-users with safety and health information about a chemical product. Federal and state regulations require that UWRF employees have unrestricted access to SDS's for materials such as laboratory research chemicals, cleaning supplies, welding rods--virtually all of the materials that are used on the job by UWRF employees. The efficient management of SDS's is required by law and, from a practical standpoint, is critical to ensuring the safety of students, employees, and others who participate in UWRF programs and use our facilities.

In recent years, OSHA has changed requirements within the Hazard Communication Standard regarding chemicals including labeling, hazard classification, and training for workers.  The changes are based on aligning with the United Nation's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).  The regulations were developed with goals geared toward improving worker safety, improving worker comprehension of hazards associated with chemicals, and increased ease and efficiency in obtaining pertinent information from safety data sheets (SDS).  The SDS replaces the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and offers a consistent format that manufacturer's of chemicals are now required to follow.

Safety Data Sheet Links

• UWRF - MSDS Online Access

• UWRF - Art Department - Clays, Glazes and other Raw Materials

• SIRI SDS Index Search for SDS's by company/manufacturer.

• Interactive Learning Paradigms Incorporated Site that offers resources to search for SDS's.

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Toxicological Profiles of hazardous substances