Materials Safety Data Sheets
&
Right-to-Know Information
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a detailed fact sheet summarizing information about a chemical's hazardous ingredients; health, physical and fire hazards; emergency procedures and first aid; chemical reactivity and incompatibilities; spill, leak and disposal procedures and protective measures required for safe handling and storage. The objective of an MSDS is to concisely inform you about the hazards of the materials you work with so that you can protect yourself and respond to emergency situations.
The State of Delaware enacted the Hazardous Chemical Information Act to provide accessibility to information regarding all chemicals to which employees may be exposed in a non-manufacturing workplace, such as the University of Delaware's Department of Psychology. Your supervisor, lab cheif, or mentor must maintain workplace Material Safety Data Sheets for every chemical that could pose a hazard to your health-- and you may ask to see them at any time. If you have any additional questions or concerns about material sefety, you can use one of the MSDS search engins below, or consult your area representative on the Psychology Department's Safety Committee.
Below are five excellent search engines that can help you access the Material Safety Data Sheets for just about any chemical.
NIOSH /OSHA/ DOE
HEALTH GUIDELINES
Your Right-to-Know is detailed on the OHS web site, and Right-to-Know training is required of all departmental employees and laboratory personnel.
RTK-- Other Useful Links