Hazardous Substances

In accordance with Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, §5194 Hazard Communication Standard, PIs must adhere to SJSU Environmental Health & Occupation Safety guidelines on all shipments of hazardous materials. The PIs research laboratory must maintain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of the material and make it accessible to all users of the material.

Hazardous and toxic substances, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are chemicals present in the workplace that are capable of causing harm. Those chemicals include dusts, mixtures, and common materials such as paints, fuels, and solvents. OSHA currently regulates exposure to approximately 400 substances.

The OSHA Chemical Sampling Information file contains listings for approximately 1,500 substances. To view the list, visit the Department of Industrial Relations web page. The Research Foundation will provide a copy of requisitions and the purchase orders for the purchase of hazardous substances included in the above-mentioned list to the San José State University Environmental Health & Occupation Safety department.

Research Foundation Purchasing maintains a Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) log and copies of all such logs. The Research Foundation will provide a copy of the MSDS to the department that purchased the materials and to the university’s Environmental Health & Occupation Safety department.