Safety Data Sheets & Labeling

State and Federal rules and standards require employers to provide their employees with written information on hazardous substances that they routinely use in the performance of their jobs. For many years, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) have been one source of that information. In 2012, State and Federal hazard communication standards were aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

The GHS provides a single set of criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets. Under the GHS, safety data sheets (SDS) with one standardized format will replace material safety data sheets (MSDS). In addition, all container labels will be standardized to include signal words, pictograms and hazard and precautionary statements.

The major changes employees will see as the GHS is implemented are:

How to Use the BSU MSDS Database

  1. Go to SDS/MSDS Database.
  2. Select “Bemidji State University” or “Northwest Technical College” in the “Locations” field located below the search field box.
  3. In the search bar box, type in a word or other information about the product.
  4. The search results will appear below the search bar.
  5. You may refine your search using the “Narrow Search” options in the menu box to the left side of the search results.
  6. Be sure the SDS/MSDS you select matches the product you are using. If there are multiple results for the same product, it is usually best to select the one with the most recent revision date.
  7. Select the PDF icon for the product SDS/MSDS you want to display. You can view the document on line or print it or save it to your computer.
  8. If a search of the local data base does not provide the SDS/MSDS you want, you can search a broader data base by selecting the hazard diamond icon on the bottom of the vertical menu bar, on the left hand side of the page. If you still do not find the SDS/MSDS you are looking for or have questions about the on-line data base contact:
    Environmental Health & Safety
    Phone: (218) 755-2545
    Email: EHS@0599hd.com

Additional Resources

Review these SDS resources for additional information.

Manufacturer Resources

Government, Repository Resources, etc

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary