Medford Oregon Resources & Tools for Business Success

Protect People's Health

Protect
People's Health

Material Safety Data Sheets
Ergonomic and Safety Tools

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program. It also contains information on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures all related to the hazards of the material.

The MSDS contains much more information about the material than the label. MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.

www.msdssearch.com is a free national database of MSDS sheets from manufacturers.

Click here to search for International Chemical Safety Cards

Ergonomics Center

Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. It is also the study of efficiency in working environments. Both definitions appear when you search for the definition of "ergonomics" online.

This means that both businesses and employees benefit from ergonomic solutions. For employees, work becomes easier with less potential for injury. For businesses, employees become more efficient, which improves the business' bottom line.

Before you begin with solutions - here is some information about the problem:

Back injuries are the leading cause of disability for people under 35 and the most expensive injury for people ages 35-50.

23% of workers compensation claims are for lower-back injuries.

87% of over-exertion injuries come from improperly handling materials.

Workers compensation premiums pay for direct costs; but indirect costs for finding someone else to do the work, paying for the employee's downtoime before workers compensation, etc. are paid by employers. Both costs easily reach $20,000 per injury.

Click here for more information from OR-OSHA's Introduction to Ergonomics in the Workplace. This publication has information showing the impact of injuries on a business' profitability.

Ergonomic tools for jobs involving repetitive motion or sitting all day

Ergonomic Stretch Breaks for Employees from University of Virginia

Computer Workstation Self-Evaluation

Recommendations for Computer Users from Cornell University

Computer User Heaven: 8 Exercises That Spell Relief

Easy Ergonomics

Ergonomics in Action

Fitting the Task to the Person

Easy Ergonomics for Desktop Computer Users

Ergonomic information and tools to prevent back injuries or to prepare employees for physical exertion

Lifting Guideline Tool