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Chrome plating compliance issues. What needs an MSDS and what does not?

July 9, 2010
Hello and thanks to those reading this inquiry.
I have just been asked to head up a compliance and safety position.
After reviewing the current MSDS book the owner has I have found several items that needed a MSDS. This was no problem. However now it's on to the things we tend to overlook.
For instance they use about 3 different brands of auto wax for final cleaning and protection of the newly chrome plated parts. Would there need to be 3 separate MSDS for these waxes?
I have also been notified that Duct tape adhesive contains about 14 chemicals that require MSDS's. Is this true?
The final inquiry is on the Janitorial chemicals that are actually home based toilet bowl cleaners, glass and mirror cleaner, and floor wash. Would these also require an MSDS?
Thanks again.
Jimmy

James Canfield

Safety and Compliance - New Castle, Indiana

A. Hello James. Start by reading the applicability section of the HAZCOM standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). There are some exemptions for consumer products that may apply to the products that you mentioned. Many shops just get MSDS sheets for everything imaginable just to be safe, but that is really not required by OSHA. Good luck.

Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC
GOAD Company

Independence, Missouri

July 15, 2010

A. The nice thing about having several thick notebooks of MSDS's, the inspectors do not have much of a clue as to which ones to look at.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
July 16, 2010

A. James, Jon is right but one caveat- non consumer quantities of consumer materials require an MSDS. Also a clarification: you do not need an MSDS for each chemical contained in a product what you need is an MSDS for the product itself. Contact the manufacturer, however you can often find the MSDS online by using a search engine.
If you are buying the supplies and custodial products from an industrial supply type company they are very familiar with you type of inquiry

Gene Packman
- Great Neck, New York
July 19, 2010