Tim Stowell on tue 6 jan 98
It seems that we are routinely asking is something toxic or isn't it.
Basically anything can be toxic if used improperly. If we inhale water we
drown. If we breathe pure oxygen our lungs are destroyed. After
responding to a toxicity question and erring on the side of caution I
have found a couple of good sources for information on the web. I know
there are books out there and I am sure a number of people will be happy
to reccommend some to us all. I think the web sites are a little more
up-to-date. The following web sites are a good beginning to doing your
own research and not following the rumors that we sometimes unwittingly
spread about toxicity of substances. Copy them carefully!
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/emci/emci_query.html
http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/94thgh/MSDSLinks.html
The first one is an EPA chemical query search in which you can type as
much of the chemical name that you know and it will look it up in
government and university datafiles.
The second one provides links to government, university and business
Material Safety Data Sheets datafiles. By the way if you have employees
you are required to have on hand the MSDS sheets for all the materials
that you use in making your work, or at least provide access to them (I
think these web sites might get you by if OSHA knocks on your door).
These sheets are also available from your suppliers at your request -it's
the law.
The reports are not always easy to read, but, you kind of get used to
them. A local chemist, professor, or toxicologist would probably explain
them to you in exchange for a leadfree mug. I hope this info is of some
use to you toxic hunters.
Tim
Tim Stowell Gerard Stowell Pottery
Stacey Gerard 290 River Street
tstwll@juno.com Troy, NY 12180
(518)272-0983
Mark Sweany on thu 8 jan 98
Hi Tim,
According to OSHA those MSDS have to all be in one place, all
workers must be informed of what and where they are, and they
have to be easily accessible. I kept ours in a 3 ring binder on
top of a filing cabinet in the shop, by the shop, I mean the
actual working area, not in the office. They want the help to
be able to walk over, open the book, and get the answers they
need on how to handle any material safely. The sheets I've seen
didn't seem difficult to read. In an inspection, they will ask
to see where you keep the sheets and they will question your
employees about them.
If anyone is really concerned with running a safe work place,
and keeping OSHA from stopping by uninvited, they do offer an
"inspection service". If you call them up and ask them, they
will come out and inspect your place of business. They will
write it up and list any violations they have found, but you
*won't* *be* *fined*. They give you some time, I think it's 30
days, but it might be 90, to correct any violations. They come
back after the time has elapsed, do another inspection, if you
have corrected everything, you're home free. After they've done
one of these inspections, unless someone is horribly injured or
you get a lot of complaints, they won't inspect you again, and
you'll have warm fuzzy feelings knowing you are running a safe
shop.
----
Mark Sweany
m_pswean@primenet.com
>Tim Stowell wrote:
>snip
> By the way if you have employees
> you are required to have on hand the MSDS sheets for all the materials
> that you use in making your work, or at least provide access to them (I
> think these web sites might get you by if OSHA knocks on your door).
> These sheets are also available from your suppliers at your request -it's
> the law.
>snip
> Tim
>
> Tim Stowell Gerard Stowell Pottery
> Stacey Gerard 290 River Street
> tstwll@juno.com Troy, NY 12180
> (518)272-0983
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