M10.2 Blog about MSDS and ToxNet
Unfortunately, while interviewing my mother on the hazards of the workplace environment internally and externally, she admitted that her school didn't have Material Safety Data Sheets. When she was hired, she never recalled getting any paperwork or meeting on the potential hazards of the workplace. When she asked the principal, her boss, about whether they had one, he had no idea what she was talking about. My mom basically said that her school is too poor to have an MSDS and the OUSD doesn't bother to spend money on developing such a thing.
As for my workplace, they also seemed to be at a loss for what an MSDS was. When I was hired, the only talk of safety hazards were outside the office. We had discuss the importance of protecting ourselves against used syringes on the ground, keeping our hands clean, and getting vaccinated to protect ourselves and our homeless clients from exposure. Other than that, my boss and supervisor didn't really say much else about it. If we happen to find used needles in the office, a basic protocol was just to put on gloves and throw it in one of our biohazard containers. We also have masks we could use too if we felt it necessary to protect ourselves from biological exposures. Our building is also an old concrete one, it wasn't really clear to me if there had ever been a radon or lead inspection since the office had moved in which was back in 2015.
As for my workplace, they also seemed to be at a loss for what an MSDS was. When I was hired, the only talk of safety hazards were outside the office. We had discuss the importance of protecting ourselves against used syringes on the ground, keeping our hands clean, and getting vaccinated to protect ourselves and our homeless clients from exposure. Other than that, my boss and supervisor didn't really say much else about it. If we happen to find used needles in the office, a basic protocol was just to put on gloves and throw it in one of our biohazard containers. We also have masks we could use too if we felt it necessary to protect ourselves from biological exposures. Our building is also an old concrete one, it wasn't really clear to me if there had ever been a radon or lead inspection since the office had moved in which was back in 2015.
This is interesting, my husbands work does not have a Material Safety Data sheets either. He said that they do have them in their break room for everyone to see but it is not provided for all employees to take home. I think that they should be sent home with all employees to have for their own good.
ReplyDeleteWow. I am really surprised to hear your stories... I first learned about MSDSs in high school chemistry. Having a career in the biomedical and health care fields has taught me to be particularly conscious of the chemicals I come into contact with, and MSDSs are super helpful in ascertaining safety information. But having them in the break room is not nearly enough!
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