Does HazCom Require Storing MSDS/SDSs for 30 Years?

OSHA Standard 29

The OSHA standard, OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1020, reveals you need to keep records of the substances employees have been exposed to for 30 years, but you do not need to store the actual MSDS/SDS sheet for 30 years. The MSDS/SDS is seen as an acceptable record – this is why archiving them in a system like sdsBinders is an easy way to achieve compliance with this requirement.   

If the MSDS/SDS is not archived, then you need to store a record of the following:

• What the chemical or ingredient or agent was.  

• Where is was used.  

• When it was used.  

OSHA Standard 29 Requirements for Businesses 

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1020 allows employees and their medical, legal, or government representatives a right to access relevant exposure and medical records, in order to fulfill their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Employers have 15 working days to provide records to employees or provide a reason for the delay with a date with when those records will be made available”.    

Even if the business is sold or ceases doing business, the employer needs to transfer records to the successor employer or to the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  

How sdsBinders Can Help 

Of course, employers need to make SDS records readily accessible to current employees in the workplace under 1910.1200. An electronic SDS database like sdsBinders can assist with both employer obligations for compliance. Contact the experts at Chemscape Safety Technologies today to book a demo of sdsBinders.