Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Every chemical product used in this store — from the sanitizer in the sink to the oven degreaser — has a Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly called an MSDS). Knowing where these sheets are and how to read them is an OSHA requirement and a basic workplace safety skill.
What Is a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet is a standardized document provided by the manufacturer of a chemical product. It contains:
- What the chemical is and what it is used for
- Health hazards and how it can harm you
- Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- First aid procedures if you are exposed
- Safe handling and storage instructions
- What to do in a spill or emergency
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) requires employers to maintain SDS documents for every hazardous chemical in the workplace and make them accessible to employees.
Where the SDS Binder Is
Cassano’s SDS binders are maintained by ALCO (our chemical supplier). The binder contains a data sheet for every chemical product used in the store. For chemical questions, contact ALCO’s Cassano’s representative, Rachel Atkinson, at 614-209-0710.
The SDS binder is kept in a designated location in every store. Ask your manager to show you on your first shift.
Add the exact SDS binder location for your store here (e.g., “on the shelf above the back-office desk” or “in the cabinet next to the mop sink”). Employees must know this location before handling chemicals.
In any chemical emergency, call 1-800-222-1222 — the American Association of Poison Control Centers — available 24/7.
Key Chemicals in the Store
| Chemical | Use | Required PPE |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitizer (e.g., QuatSan) | Sanitizing food-contact surfaces and Sink 3 | Gloves if handling concentrate |
| Degreaser | Cleaning oven hood, flat surfaces | Gloves; ventilate area |
| Oven cleaner | Deep cleaning oven interior | Gloves, eye protection; ventilate area |
| Floor cleaner | General floor mopping | Gloves; wet floor signs required |
Always dilute chemicals per the label instructions. More concentrated does not mean more clean — it means more hazardous and potentially damaging to surfaces.
If You Are Exposed
Chemical splash to skin
- Immediately rinse the affected area with running water for at least 15 minutes
- Remove contaminated clothing
- Notify your manager
- Refer to the SDS for specific first aid steps for that chemical
Chemical splash to eyes
- Go immediately to the emergency eye wash station
- Flush with running water for at least 15 minutes — set a timer
- Do not rub your eyes
- Notify your manager
- Seek medical attention
Find the emergency eye wash station on your first day. If you are ever splashed in the eyes, you have seconds — not minutes — to react. Knowing the location before it happens is not optional.
General Chemical Safety
- Never mix chemicals unless the label specifically instructs it — some combinations produce toxic gases
- Store chemicals in their original labeled containers
- Keep chemicals away from food prep areas and food storage
- Return chemical bottles to their designated storage area after use