HMIS and NFPA codes on material safety data sheets
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May 1, 1989
Mr. Nelson C. Holly
Safety Administrator
Certaineed Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Holly:
This is in response to your letter of October 31, 1988, requesting that HMIS and NFPA labeling information be included on the material safety data sheet.
The preamble to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) recognizes the existence of numerous labeling systems that are currently in use in industry. Many of the systems rely on numerical or alphabetical codes to convey the hazards. Although, the intent of the standard is to permit the use of these systems for inplant labeling, provided the entire hazard communication program is effective, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not endorse specific services or products. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for OSHA to require a particular labeling system's code on the material safety data sheet.
We hope this information is helpful to you in clarifying your concern. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director Directorate of Compliance Programs
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