Member Area Resources - Site
Material Safety Data Sheets
Employers’ Responsibilities
Employers using or storing dangerous goods or hazardous substances on their premises must ensure that:
- they obtain an up to date Material Safety Date Sheet (MSDS) for each of these products
- their employees, contractors and emergency services personnel have access to the MSDS.
A MSDS is a document that provides health and safety information about products, substances or chemicals that are classified as hazardous substances or dangerous goods.
MSDS’s provide information on:
The manufacturer or importing supplier the product (e.g. its name, ingredients and properties) how the product can affect your health precautions for using or storing it safely
Who prepares and provides MSDSs?
Manufacturers and importers of dangerous goods and hazardous substances must:
- prepare an MSDS for each of their products
- provide the current MSDS to employers or occupiers of premises where the product is used or stored
- review and revise each MSDS as often as necessary and at least every 5 years to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date
Downstream suppliers of dangerous goods and hazardous substances must also provide MSDSs developed by the manufacturer or importer. This does not apply to suppliers who are retailers (e.g. hardware stores).
For state specific requirements go to the local website and enter ‘MSDS’
ACT http://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/
New South Wales http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/
South Australia http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/
Western Australia http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/
WorkSafe/Queensland http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/
Victoria http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au