A question was posted on Linkedin in regards to how to handle mandatory information requirements regarding MSDS when the general workforce may not understand them. It was asserted that there was a disconnect between the language of the documents and the education level of the workers using them.

Safetec Account Manager, Trevor Wichmann, answered:

I agree, Lynn. There is a disconnect - especially considering that there is not a standardized MSDS format and that they are typically authored with a focus of meeting compliance requirements rather than ease-of-use.

As previously mentioned, it is critical to educate users at their comprehension level with a training (and refresher) program (i.e. how to locate the appropriate MSDS for the specific manufacturer's product they are working with, how to read the MSDS, what the specific safety precautions/potential hazards are of the products/chemicals they may be working with directly, etc.).

Depending on internal resources, developing a training program can be accomplished by creating a part/full-time internal position or hiring out (i.e. consultants, safety-specific training organizations, etc.) and a trainer should not only be highly knowledgeable, but capable of translating a scientific document to any audience.

Another critical piece is to establish a pervasive, simple way to access the MSDSs. This can be accomplished via a paper-based or computer-based MSDS management system and depends on the specific MSDS collection characteristics (i.e number of documents, churn, etc.), internal access points, and company resources. The collection should be well organized, regularly maintained, and easy to search, so that when someone needs an MSDS because they can just accidentally drank a quart of paint they can find the exact one they need very quickly.

For example, we help our customers by providing web-based access to a company's specific MSDS collection. Users have access to the original MSDS document as well as information that we've captured that is presented in a standard, simplified format. In addition, company-specific common names can be associated to an MSDS, so that users can search for and identify a product by what they call it (i.e. 01295 Havoline Formula 3 SAE 5W-30 might simply be "forklift oil" to them).