Hi everyone, would just like know if there is a requirement/standard where to place MSDS in the workplace, example: MSDS should be at the point of use or MSDS can be placed in within the area Thanks Bobby

There's no standard - you can put them wherever works for you. I suggest not having multiple copies scattered around the place as this becomes difficult to control and keep up to date. A central electronic store is very convenient.

EIther or, whichever suits. If the workplace (point of user area) is dry, why not laminate them and keep them beside the COSHH materials??

Why are you even posting the MSDS’s anyway? The requirement under COSHH is to carry out a Risk Assessment using the relevant information from the MSDS as it applies to your work activity. The findings of the risk assessment need to be recorded and your employees need to be supplied with the relevant information to enable them to apply suitable controls. For most employees, they don’t need the information in the MSDS. In the US there is no requirement to carry out a risk assessment rather all they do is post up the MSDS and leave it for staff to try to work out what is relevant. I suspect that some multinationals do the same here and therefore confuse the issue. There is nothing to stop you doing it but it is not a legal requirement.

Quite agree. The risk assessment and control measures is the relevant infomration that those on the coal face need to know. We use the MSDS's when undertaking RA's but don't publish them for the workforce to use, everything they need to know is within the COSHH and first aid procedures (written in clear, concise and non-technical wording wherever possible (the opposite of most MSDS's!)). I suppose it will depend on the nature of the business, risk level, type of worker etc. but for us handing out a MSDS would be wholly inappropriate.

Only thing I would add is refer location of msds in RA if kept in a different location...

Does it not state somewhere that employees need access to the MSDS.

“HSE’s experience suggests that a large proportion of SDSs do not provide adequate or correct information on hazards and exposure controls.” – from Topic Inspection Pack, Work Related Contact Dermatitis, Skin Disease Programme

The question asked was if there is a requirement/standard to place an MSDS in the workplace, example: MSDS should be at the point of use or MSDS can be placed in within the area? The answer to that questions is NO; there is no legal requirement to post the MSDS in a particular location where the work is being carried out (unlike in some countries where there is duty to post the MSDS) There is a legal requirement to provide employees with access to any relevant safety data sheet. This could mean keeping a copy of the MSDS locked in a cupboard in a dusty file that is only opened up on the rare occasion that an employee wants to have a look at it. The ACOP makes it clear that as far as the HSE is concerned the important thing is that there is readable and understandable in-house information and training documents. ... and that is how the legal duty (in reg 12 of COSHH) to supply information, instruction, and training is to be supplied to employees not by posting MSDS’s all over the place. To comply with Reg 12 you have to do more than show them a piece of paper. You need to provide them with detailed work instructions including controls derived from the risk assessment. You have to make sure that they understand the controls and why they are being applied. One issue with COSHH, which the regs and ACOP recognise, is that unlike some hazards the risk from hazardous substances are not obvious. Furthermore MSDS are not the be all and end all hazardous substances- just because a substance does not have an MSDS does not make it non-hazardous. Hence the need for risk assessment.