Purchasing Substances or Materials that are Hazardous to Health

The Chemicals (Hazards Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 (and later amendments) stipulate a 16-point schedule of information that has to accompany ALL dangerous substances and preparations. The schedule of information is known as the Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS and lists the majority of the information required to complete a COSHH assessment.

When purchasing a hazardous substance or material, the following must be complied with:

• ALWAYS obtain a MSDS from the supplier or manufacturer

If the material is hazardous and possesses hazard warning labels, safety/risk phrases or hazard/precautionary statements:

• Establish if the material has been ordered before - A list of substances previously ordered can be accessed here - use this link to find the relevant MSDS number. The Stores Manager holds a copy of the MSDS for all previously ordered products (before the introduction of OPeRA). Note however that there may be now an updated version available.
• Many MSDS' can be uploaded from the OPeRA system from the various suppliers using the links given.
• If you would like some advice on the way in which you would like to work with any material send a copy of the MSDS to the Department Health and Safety Advisor along with an explanation on how you want to interact with it. The Health and Safety Advisor should be able to advise on any specific risks and may question whether a safer alternative can be used.
• You will need to establish whether a full COSHH Assessment is also required or whether you can demonstrate how you will manage the risks within your operating procedures. See the Guidance in relation to COSHH Assessment
• You will need to determine the relevant hazard level when ordering a hazardous material or substance using OPeRA. The Budget Holder should verify that the appropriate hazard level has been assigned.

For more information on the OPeRA system, your responsibilities and how to assign a material description and hazard level, refer to the Purchasing Laboratory Substances and Equipment Guidance.

Guidance on how to interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Be aware of the need to manage the risks in particular for Hazardous and Restricted Substances. Some of these will require annual reporting to the Home Office.

Guidance on the e-procurement OPeRA system that you should know