Who is responsible for preparing and making material safety data sheets available to workers?

The responsibility for preparing and making Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), now commonly referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), available to workers primarily rests with the product manufacturer. These sheets are crucial because they provide detailed information on the properties of a chemical substance, including hazards, safe handling practices, and emergency measures.

The product manufacturer is the entity that creates the chemical and possesses the technical knowledge needed to compile accurate and comprehensive data about their products. They are required by law to prepare these documents to ensure that all safety information is clearly communicated to users and handlers of the substance in question. This helps foster a safe working environment by ensuring that employees have access to critical information about the materials they may encounter during their work.

While employers also play a role in ensuring that employees have access to these sheets and that they are properly trained in their use, the primary duty of creating and providing the SDS lies with the manufacturer. OSHA sets regulations and guidelines regarding the requirements for these documents, but it does not directly prepare them. Similarly, state regulations may enforce these rules but do not create the data sheets themselves.