Safety Data Sheets: What Dental Offices Need to Know

Hazcom Standards Requires SDSs in Dental Offices

Dental offices use a variety of chemicals that may pose health or safety hazards to employees. Both the federal OSHA and Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication (Hazcom) Standards require employers to maintain a safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous chemical used in the workplace. SDSs were formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

An SDS provides important information about a chemical, including its ingredients, physical and chemical properties, potential hazards, and recommended protective measures. Chemical manufacturers and suppliers are responsible for providing SDSs with chemical shipments, while employers must make the information readily accessible to employees.

This is a Dental Bytes article, published in addition to our monthly Dental Bytes eNewsletter.

Keep SDSs Accessible

Employees must be able to quickly locate an SDS when they need one. Many dental offices maintain SDSs in a three-ring binder, with the required chemical inventory listed first and individual SDSs arranged alphabetically behind the inventory. SDSs may also be maintained electronically, provided employees are trained to access them. The office’s chemical inventory should be kept current, and an SDS should be obtained whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced.

Employee Training

Hazcom training must include information on how to read and access SDSs. Employees must receive training initially and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced through a job or process change. Employees should know where SDSs are kept and how to quickly find the information they need. If an SDS is missing, the person responsible for maintaining SDS records should contact the manufacturer or supplier and request a copy.

Dental Office Reminder: Review your SDS files periodically to make sure they include the hazardous chemicals currently used in your office and that employees know how to access them.

Related OSHA Review Resources

• Dental Bytes Hub
• OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Standard
• OSHA’s Requirements for Secondary Labeling of Chemical Containers
• Managing Chemical Spills in a Dental Office
• OSHA Review Compliance Program

About OSHA Review, Inc.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has supported dental professionals with regulatory compliance resources, infection control guidance, continuing education, sterilizer monitoring, surface disinfectant products, and dosimetry monitoring services. For more information, visit oshareview.com or call 800-555-6248.

This is a Dental Bytes article, published in addition to the monthly Dental Bytes eNewsletter. Visit the Dental Bytes hub for all articles and monthly updates.