Methanol safety data sheet: what every employer must know

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is a methanol safety data sheet and why does OSHA require one?

A safety data sheet (SDS) tells workers and emergency responders exactly what a chemical is, what it does to the body, how it burns, and what to do when things go wrong. For methanol, that document is non-negotiable. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires chemical manufacturers and importers to create an SDS for every hazardous chemical they produce or sell, and it requires downstream employers to keep those sheets accessible to any employee who might be exposed. ^[1]

The terms you'll see floating around online, including "material safety data sheet," "MSDS," "chemical safety data sheet," and "chemical material safety data sheet," all mean the same thing. The old MSDS format had no fixed number of sections and varied wildly from supplier to supplier. OSHA's 2012 update to the HazCom standard (often called HazCom 2012) aligned the U.S. system with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), replacing the old MSDS with a 16-section SDS format that every chemical supplier must follow. ^[1]

Methanol earned its own attention for a plain reason. It looks and smells almost identical to ethanol (drinking alcohol), it soaks through skin faster than most solvents, and even moderate overexposure can cause permanent blindness or death. A well-written SDS is often the only thing standing between a worker who grabs a spray bottle without thinking and a medical crisis.

OSHA's own text at 29 CFR 1910.1200(c) defines the document as "written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical" that meets the content rules in the standard. The format has evolved from the old MSDS. The core obligation has not: workers have to be able to get the information they need to protect themselves.

What are the 16 required sections of a methanol SDS?

Every GHS-aligned SDS follows a fixed 16-section structure. No supplier can drop sections or reorder them. Here's what each one holds for methanol specifically. ^[1]

Section	Title	What it says for methanol
1	Identification	Product name, supplier contact, recommended uses (fuel, solvent, antifreeze), emergency phone number
2	Hazard identification	Flammable liquid (Category 2), acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), specific target organ toxicity (Category 1: eyes, CNS)
3	Composition/information on ingredients	CAS 67-56-1, molecular formula CH3OH, purity (typically ≥99.85%)
4	First-aid measures	Inhalation: fresh air, O2 if needed; Skin: wash 15+ min; Eyes: flush 15+ min, get medical care immediately; Ingestion: do NOT induce vomiting, get emergency care
5	Fire-fighting measures	Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical; water may spread fire; flash point 11°C (52°F)
6	Accidental release measures	Eliminate ignition sources, ventilate, absorb with dry earth or sand, never wash to drain
7	Handling and storage	No open flames, static grounding, store in cool/dry place, separate from oxidizers
8	Exposure controls/PPE	OSHA PEL 200 ppm TWA; NIOSH REL 200 ppm TWA, 250 ppm ceiling; ACGIH TLV-TWA 200 ppm; nitrile or neoprene gloves, safety goggles, face shield if splash risk
9	Physical and chemical properties	Colorless liquid, alcohol odor, BP 64.7°C, flash point 11°C, auto-ignition temp 464°C, LEL 6.0%, UEL 36.5%
10	Stability and reactivity	Stable under normal conditions; reacts with strong oxidizers, acid chlorides, alkali metals
11	Toxicological information	LD50 oral rat 5,628 mg/kg; LC50 inhalation rat 64,000 ppm/4h; optic nerve and CNS are primary target organs; metabolites formaldehyde and formic acid drive toxicity
12	Ecological information	COD high; aquatic toxicity moderate; biodegrades rapidly
13	Disposal considerations	Incinerate in permitted facility; do not pour down drain
14	Transport information	UN1230, Flammable Liquid, Class 3, PG II
15	Regulatory information	TSCA, SARA 313 reportable, California Prop 65 (developmental toxicant)
16	Other information	Revision date, SDS preparer, disclaimer

Section 8 is the one supervisors actually reach for day to day. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for methanol under OSHA is 200 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). ^[2] NIOSH sets a ceiling of 250 ppm. ^[3] Plenty of industrial hygienists recommend monitoring against the ACGIH TLV because OSHA's PEL, written in 1971, has never been updated for modern toxicology. None of these numbers are suggestions. If air monitoring shows you're above them, you're in violation.

What are methanol's most dangerous physical and health hazards?

Methanol is dangerous in two completely different ways at once, and that combination is what makes it hard to manage.

On the physical side, it's a Category 2 flammable liquid with a flash point of 11°C (52°F). It can ignite at temperatures well below room temperature. The flammable range runs from 6% to 36.5% in air, which is unusually wide. Most common solvents have a much narrower window. Methanol also burns with a nearly invisible blue flame in daylight, which has caused terrible burn injuries in motorsport and industrial settings because workers never saw the fire. ^[4]

On the health side, methanol targets the optic nerve and central nervous system. The mechanism matters. Your liver metabolizes methanol into formaldehyde and then formic acid. Formic acid is what causes metabolic acidosis and optic nerve damage. Symptoms of overexposure are delayed 12 to 24 hours after exposure, sometimes longer if the person also drank ethanol (ethanol competes for the same metabolic pathway and delays the conversion to toxic metabolites). That delay is the trap. Workers can feel fine, go home, and then crash overnight. ^[3]

Inhalation at 200 ppm over long stretches produces headache, dizziness, and nausea. Higher doses cause visual disturbances, the classic early sign of methanol poisoning. Skin absorption is real and routinely underestimated. A study cited by NIOSH found measurable blood methanol after skin contact with liquid methanol. The SDS exists so this information is in front of the worker before exposure, not after. ^[3]

Blindness from a single overexposure event has been documented at doses as low as 4 mL of liquid methanol. That's less than a teaspoon. Lethal doses in case reports vary widely with individual metabolism, but deaths have been reported at oral doses below 30 mL. ^[12]

What PPE does the methanol SDS require?

Section 8 of any compliant methanol SDS spells out the personal protective equipment. The specifics shift a little by supplier and concentration, but the core requirements hold across reputable SDSs. ^[1]

For skin protection, nitrile gloves are the floor for incidental contact. For extended contact or immersion risk, thicker neoprene or butyl rubber gloves do better. Standard latex gloves protect poorly against methanol and shouldn't be used. Glove breakthrough time matters. Check the supplier's permeation data, which should appear in Section 8 or a supplemental appendix. Many nitrile gloves have a breakthrough time under 30 minutes for neat methanol.

For eye and face protection, chemical splash goggles are required any time there's a splash hazard. Add a face shield for operations that handle larger volumes. Safety glasses alone are not enough for methanol splash risk.

For respiratory protection, if engineering controls can't hold airborne concentrations below the PEL, a supplied-air respirator or a half-face respirator with organic vapor cartridges works. NIOSH-approved organic vapor respirators handle methanol. One catch: methanol has a poor odor threshold relative to its PEL, which means you may not smell it at concentrations near or above the limit. That's why air monitoring beats relying on your nose.

Chemical-resistant aprons or coveralls show up in most methanol SDSs for operations involving real quantities. Methanol permeates many standard work uniforms fast.

For more on how OSHA structures chemical hazard requirements, including the written program obligations that go with them, see the hazard communication standard overview.

What does a methanol SDS say about first aid?

Section 4 of the methanol SDS is the part you want to read before anything happens, because you won't have time to read it calmly afterward.

For inhalation, move the person to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, trained personnel should give supplemental oxygen. Any symptomatic victim goes to an emergency room, not home for monitoring, because of the delayed-onset toxicity window.

For skin contact, wash with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. The 15-minute threshold isn't arbitrary. OSHA's emergency eyewash and shower standard, 29 CFR 1910.151, requires accessible facilities within 10 seconds of travel for employees working with corrosive or injurious materials, and methanol qualifies. ^[5]

For eye contact, flush with water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids open. This is a medical emergency. Get immediate ophthalmologic care even if the person feels fine, because damage can progress hours after exposure.

For ingestion, the SDS is blunt: do NOT induce vomiting. Methanol absorbs fast, and vomiting raises aspiration risk without cutting absorption meaningfully. Get emergency care right away. Hospitals treat methanol poisoning with fomepizole (an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor) or ethanol to block metabolic conversion, often combined with hemodialysis for severe cases.

Every employer who keeps methanol on site should have emergency procedures written down and posted near storage and use areas. A quick-reference emergency card summarizing these first-aid steps is smart. The SDS is the legal document. The card is for speed.

How do you read and understand methanol's exposure limits in Section 8?

Section 8 is where the exposure limits live, and it trips people up because several agencies set their own numbers.

OSHA's PEL for methanol is 200 ppm as an 8-hour TWA. ^[2] This one is legally enforceable. Exceeding it is a citable violation under 29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1.

NIOSH's REL is also 200 ppm TWA, with an added 250 ppm ceiling (never to be exceeded at any point in the shift). ^[3] The ceiling matters in operations with short bursts of high exposure, like cleaning with methanol.

ACGIH recommends a TLV-TWA of 200 ppm, matching the OSHA PEL, but it also adds a skin notation. That means dermal absorption is a big enough route of exposure that controlling air levels alone may not prevent systemic exposure. A worker in inadequate gloves can absorb enough methanol through the skin to push blood levels past safe thresholds even when air stays below 200 ppm. ^[3]

The practical read: if you run an operation with methanol (cleaning, fuel blending, chemical synthesis), monitor the air so you know where you stand against the PEL. OSHA's guidance on organic vapor monitoring points to initial monitoring when a new operation starts, after any process change, and periodically after that. Consistently below 50% of the PEL, and most industrial hygienists call that acceptable. Between 50% and 100%, tighten controls. Above 100%, you have a compliance problem and a worker health problem at the same time.

Personal air sampling with passive badges or active pumps is the standard approach. Many industrial hygiene consultants, and state OSHA consultation programs, offer this service, often free to small employers.

Where do you get a methanol SDS and is a PDF version acceptable?

Get a methanol SDS straight from the supplier who sold you the chemical. Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g), chemical manufacturers and importers must provide an SDS with the first shipment of a hazardous chemical and with the first shipment after any update. If you never got one, request it, and the supplier is legally required to hand it over. ^[1]

For methanol, several major suppliers publish their SDSs online. Sigma-Aldrich, Fisher Scientific, Univar Solutions, and Methanex all keep public SDS libraries. You can also work back from OSHA's chemical hazard database links and NIOSH resources.

A PDF version of the material safety data sheet is completely acceptable under OSHA's standard. The rule at 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) allows SDSs in electronic form as long as workers can reach them immediately during each work shift and there's a reliable backup for computer failures. ^[1] If your electronic system goes down, workers need a paper alternative or another fast route to the information. Plenty of small employers keep a paper binder as backup.

One warning: not every methanol SDS you find online is current or compliant. Suppliers revise SDSs when new hazard data lands or regulations change. Check the revision date in Section 16 every time, and confirm the SDS matches the exact grade and concentration you're using. Industrial-grade, fuel-grade, and reagent-grade methanol can carry different impurity profiles that change the SDS content.

Building a written hazard communication program that documents where your SDSs live and how workers reach them is a separate but linked OSHA requirement. If you need that program written quickly, SafetyFolio's safety program generator walks you through hazcom and other required programs in about 15 minutes.

What are the storage and handling requirements on a methanol SDS?

Section 7 of the methanol SDS covers storage and handling. The rules flow straight from the chemical's properties.

Handling comes down to killing ignition sources. Methanol's flash point of 11°C means it throws off ignitable vapor at temperatures most workplaces hold year-round. Electrical equipment in methanol storage or use areas should be rated for flammable atmospheres (NFPA Class I, Division 1 or 2, depending on how likely vapor is). Static electricity is a genuine ignition risk during transfers. Bonding and grounding cables between the source and receiving containers are required for bulk transfers. ^[6]

No smoking. No open flames. No non-explosion-proof tools near open containers.

Storage from the SDS usually means a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot away from heat and ignition sources, kept apart from strong oxidizers (like hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid), acid chlorides, and alkali metals. Methanol reacts with sodium and potassium metal to make hydrogen gas, stacking an explosion hazard on top of the fire risk.

For quantities that trip OSHA's Flammable Liquids standard, 29 CFR 1910.106 sets requirements for storage cabinets, tank design, ventilation, and spill containment. ^[7] The thresholds depend on container size and building type, but a rough rule: if you store more than 10 gallons of a Class IB flammable liquid (methanol is one) outside a safety cabinet, read 1910.106 closely.

NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code) adds detail on tank design and spacing that most fire codes pull in by reference. Many state and local fire marshals enforce NFPA 30 directly. ^[6]

What does the methanol SDS say about spill response and cleanup?

Section 6 of the methanol SDS lays out the steps for an accidental release. Get this wrong and you create a fire hazard and a health hazard at the same time.

Step one, always: eliminate ignition sources before you touch anything else. Turn off electrical equipment, put out open flames, and keep anyone with non-explosion-proof gear out of the area. Methanol evaporates fast, and its vapor is heavier than air at low concentrations, so it can creep along the floor toward a distant ignition source.

Ventilate the area. Open doors and windows or fire up exhaust ventilation to pull vapors below the LEL of 6%. For anything larger than a minor spill, monitor with a direct-reading combustible gas meter during cleanup.

Absorb small spills with dry inert material: dry sand, dry earth, or commercial absorbents (vermiculite works well). Skip sawdust and other combustible absorbents near any potential ignition source. Collect the material into a labeled, sealable container for disposal at a licensed hazardous waste facility.

Do not wash methanol into floor drains, sewers, or waterways. Most municipal sewer systems set methanol discharge limits, and storm drain discharge is banned in most jurisdictions under Clean Water Act regulations.

For larger spills, the SDS usually points you to CHEMTREC (the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center, 1-800-424-9300) for guidance. If a spill hits CERCLA/SARA reportable quantity thresholds (the reportable quantity for methanol under CERCLA is 5,000 pounds, roughly 750 gallons), federal notification kicks in. ^[8]

Workers assigned to spill response need the PPE from Section 8 and training under OSHA's HAZWOPER standard if they do anything beyond incidental, minor cleanup. The line between incidental and emergency response is fuzzy. Define it in your written procedures before a spill, not during one.

How does the methanol SDS differ from an old MSDS?

The move from MSDS to SDS is mostly a formatting and completeness story, not a content revolution.

The old MSDS (material safety data sheet) came out of the original 1983 HazCom standard. OSHA named the categories of information that had to be covered but never mandated a fixed number of sections or a set order. The result was chaos. One supplier's methanol MSDS had eight sections, another's had seventeen, with different terminology all over. A worker or responder had to hunt for the flash point or the PEL because it could be anywhere.

The 2012 update to HazCom (29 CFR 1910.1200) aligned OSHA with the GHS and locked in the 16-section format above. ^[11] The compliance deadline for most employers was June 1, 2016. Any SDS you get from a supplier today should follow this format. If a supplier still hands you old-format MSDS documents for new shipments, that's their problem, and you can push back.

What a methanol SDS covers hasn't changed much. Flash point, PEL, first aid, fire response, and PPE were all in the old MSDS. What changed is consistency. You know Section 8 always holds exposure limits and PPE. You know Section 4 always holds first aid. That standardization earns its keep when someone is in distress and time is short.

If you have old MSDS files for methanol from before 2016, swap them for current GHS-compliant SDSs from your supplier. Keeping outdated MSDS documents isn't a violation by itself, but it can become one if the old sheet has been superseded by newer hazard data.

For more context on OSHA's chemical hazard communication requirements broadly, see our hazard communication overview.

What are the OSHA training requirements for workers who handle methanol?

OSHA's HazCom standard requires employers to train workers on the hazardous chemicals in their work area before initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard shows up. ^[1] It's not optional, and handing someone the SDS to read on their own doesn't satisfy it.

Training has to cover how to read an SDS, how to interpret the GHS labels on containers, the specific hazards of the chemicals they work with (for methanol: flammability, delayed-onset toxicity, skin absorption, and the early warning signs of overexposure), and the protective measures on hand, from engineering controls to PPE to work practices.

For methanol, the delayed-toxicity problem makes the training content matter more than usual. Workers need to know that feeling fine after exposure doesn't mean they're safe, that blurred or foggy vision should trigger immediate medical attention, and that toughing out symptoms at home can be fatal. That has to come from training, not from someone stumbling across Section 11 of the SDS on their own.

OSHA also requires a written hazard communication program that lists every hazardous chemical in the workplace and describes how the employer meets each part of the standard. Many small employers find this the hardest piece, because it means writing real procedures, more than collecting SDS documents.

Workers who respond to methanol spills beyond incidental cleanup need extra training under OSHA's HAZWOPER standard, 29 CFR 1910.120. ^[9] Required hours depend on the role, from 8 hours for first responders at the awareness level to 40 hours for hazardous materials technicians.

General OSHA compliance training that covers chemical hazard recognition lives in our osha training resources, or for a broader overview of OSHA's structure and authority, see what does osha stand for.

What written program do you need to go with a methanol SDS?

The SDS for methanol is one document inside a bigger compliance picture. OSHA requires it to be part of a working hazard communication program, not a standalone file that sits in a drawer.

Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(e), employers must develop and put in place a written hazard communication program. ^[1] At minimum it has to describe how the employer meets the labeling requirements, explain how SDSs are maintained and accessed, and document the training approach for employees. It should also carry a list of every hazardous chemical on site, which acts as the index to your SDS collection.

For methanol, the written program should cover a few things past the boilerplate: how methanol containers are labeled (GHS-compliant labels are required on all secondary containers, beyond the original supplier container), what air monitoring protocol exists if methanol runs in enclosed spaces, and what the emergency response procedures are for fires or major spills.

If methanol use trips the Flammable Liquids standard (1910.106) or the Hazardous Waste Operations standard (1910.120), those written requirements stack on top of HazCom. Large-quantity users may also trip Process Safety Management under 29 CFR 1910.119 if they cross the threshold quantity for methanol, which is 5,000 pounds under that standard. ^[10]

Small employers often stall on the written program because the actual writing takes time and requires knowing what the regulation demands. If you want to get compliant without hiring a consultant, SafetyFolio's generator walks through the HazCom written program requirements specifically.

For related written program topics, see lockout tagout as another chemical-adjacent program many methanol users also need, and incident report for how to document any methanol-related injury or near-miss.

What are the regulatory and reporting requirements related to methanol?

Beyond OSHA, methanol sits in several federal frameworks, all summarized in Section 15 of the SDS.

Under TSCA (the Toxic Substances Control Act), methanol is listed on the TSCA Inventory. Most commercial users face no special restrictions, but manufacturers and importers carry reporting obligations.

SARA Title III Section 313 requires facilities in certain SIC codes that manufacture, process, or otherwise use methanol above threshold quantities (10,000 pounds for otherwise use; 25,000 pounds for processing) to report methanol releases and transfers each year on EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). ^[8] If your facility hits these thresholds, the TRI deadline is July 1 each year.

CERCLA (Superfund) sets a reportable quantity for methanol of 5,000 pounds. If a release tops that amount, you must notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 immediately. ^[8]

California's Proposition 65 lists methanol as a developmental toxicant. Businesses with 10 or more employees operating in California must give clear and reasonable warnings before knowingly exposing anyone to methanol above the NSRL (no significant risk level). That covers employees and customers or bystanders.

Many states with OSHA State Plans run their own chemical right-to-know laws on top of federal HazCom. California (Cal/OSHA), Washington (Washington L&I), and Oregon (OR-OSHA) all set standards at least as strict as the federal rules, and sometimes stricter on SDSs and worker notification.

Frequently asked questions

What is the definition of a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?

A material safety data sheet (MSDS) is the older term for what OSHA now calls a safety data sheet (SDS). Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(c), it's "written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical" that communicates hazard information to workers. The MSDS format was replaced in 2012 when OSHA aligned with the GHS, mandating a standardized 16-section structure. Both terms refer to the same basic document.

What is the flash point of methanol on the SDS?

Methanol's flash point is 11°C (52°F), listed in Section 9 of the SDS. This classifies it as a Category 2 flammable liquid under GHS. It can ignite at temperatures found in most workplaces year-round, which is why eliminating ignition sources is the first priority in any handling or spill response procedure. Methanol also burns with a nearly invisible flame in daylight, adding to the fire risk.

What is methanol's permissible exposure limit (PEL)?

OSHA's PEL for methanol is 200 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), set under 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1. NIOSH sets the same 200 ppm REL but adds a 250 ppm ceiling. ACGIH recommends 200 ppm TLV-TWA with a skin notation, indicating that dermal absorption can produce systemic exposure even when air concentrations are below the limit.

Can workers access the methanol SDS electronically instead of on paper?

Yes. OSHA's HazCom standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) explicitly allows SDSs in electronic form, including PDFs. The requirement is that workers can access them immediately during every work shift without barriers like passwords or supervisor approval, and that a reliable backup exists for computer or system failures. Many employers keep a paper binder as backup to their electronic system.

What first aid should you give if someone inhales methanol?

Move the person to fresh air immediately. If they show any symptoms (headache, dizziness, visual disturbance, nausea), get emergency medical care. Do not let them "wait and see" at home. Methanol poisoning has a 12-24 hour delay before severe symptoms appear, so a worker who feels fine after an inhalation exposure can deteriorate overnight. Supplemental oxygen should be given by trained personnel if available.

What gloves does the methanol SDS recommend?

The SDS calls for nitrile or neoprene gloves at minimum. Butyl rubber provides the best protection for extended or immersion contact. Standard latex gloves should not be used because methanol permeates latex quickly. Always check the glove manufacturer's permeation data for the specific glove and methanol concentration you're working with. Many nitrile gloves have breakthrough times under 30 minutes for neat methanol.

Is methanol's SDS different from other solvent SDSs?

The format is the same 16-section GHS structure, but methanol has specific hazards that set it apart. Its invisible flame is noted in Section 5. The delayed-onset toxicity with optic nerve targeting appears in Section 11. The ACGIH skin notation in Section 8 is particularly important because dermal absorption is a significant route of exposure that many employers underestimate compared to inhalation alone.

Does OSHA require training specifically on the methanol SDS?

OSHA doesn't require training on methanol's SDS specifically, but the HazCom standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) requires training on how to read and use SDSs and on the specific hazards of chemicals in the work area, which must include methanol if it's present. Training must occur before initial assignment to work involving methanol and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. Reading the SDS alone doesn't satisfy the training requirement.

What NFPA rating does methanol have and where is that on the SDS?

Methanol's NFPA 704 diamond rating is Health 1, Flammability 3, Instability 0. Some SDSs list this in Section 9 or Section 14; placement varies by supplier. The flammability rating of 3 reflects a flash point below 73°F, indicating it can ignite under almost all ambient temperature conditions. The health rating of 1 may seem low given methanol's toxicity, but NFPA 704 reflects acute hazard severity, not chronic toxicity.

What is the SARA 313 reporting threshold for methanol?

Under SARA Title III Section 313, facilities in covered SIC codes must file TRI reports for methanol if they process more than 25,000 pounds or otherwise use more than 10,000 pounds per year. The reporting deadline is July 1 each year. This is documented in Section 15 of the methanol SDS. The TRI database is publicly accessible through EPA's website.

How often should employers update their methanol SDS?

Employers should replace their methanol SDS whenever the supplier issues a new version, which suppliers are required to do when significant new hazard information becomes available. Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(5), updated SDSs must be provided with the next shipment after revision. Check the revision date in Section 16 periodically and compare it against your file. A revision date older than five years warrants a check with your supplier.

Is methanol listed under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard?

Yes. Methanol is listed as a flammable liquid/gas in Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.119 with a threshold quantity of 5,000 pounds. Facilities that hold methanol above that threshold in a process must comply with the full PSM standard, which includes a process hazard analysis, written procedures, mechanical integrity requirements, and an emergency action plan. Most small employers are well below this threshold, but it's worth calculating your maximum on-site quantity.

What does it mean when the methanol SDS has a "skin" notation?

The skin notation (sometimes written as "Skin") in Section 8 means that skin absorption is a significant enough route of entry to cause systemic toxicity, independent of inhalation. For methanol, this means a worker can develop elevated blood methanol levels from skin contact alone, even if air concentrations stay below the PEL. It requires glove selection, skin barrier practices, and potentially biological monitoring in high-exposure jobs.

Can a small business use a generic methanol SDS template?

No. The SDS must be specific to the methanol product you actually use, provided by the manufacturer or importer. Generic templates don't meet the 29 CFR 1910.1200 requirement because they can't reflect the specific purity, impurity profile, and hazard testing data for your product. You can, however, request the SDS directly from your supplier at no charge; they're required to provide it.

Sources

1. OSHA, Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200: Requires 16-section SDS format for all hazardous chemicals; mandates employee access and written hazcom program
2. OSHA, Table Z-1 Air Contaminants (29 CFR 1910.1000): OSHA PEL for methanol is 200 ppm 8-hour TWA
3. NIOSH, Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methanol: NIOSH REL 200 ppm TWA, 250 ppm ceiling; optic nerve and CNS target organs; skin absorption documented
4. NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code: Methanol flash point 11°C, Class IB flammable liquid; burns with nearly invisible flame
5. OSHA, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment 29 CFR 1910.151: Requires accessible eyewash/shower within 10 seconds for employees working with injurious materials including methanol
6. OSHA, Flammable Liquids Standard 29 CFR 1910.106: Sets storage cabinet, ventilation, and bonding/grounding requirements for flammable liquids including methanol
7. OSHA, Flammable Liquids Standard 29 CFR 1910.106 (storage quantity thresholds): 10-gallon threshold triggers additional storage requirements for Class IB flammable liquids outside safety cabinets
8. EPA, Toxic Release Inventory Program (SARA Title III Section 313): Methanol SARA 313 reportable; otherwise-use threshold 10,000 lbs, processing threshold 25,000 lbs; CERCLA reportable quantity 5,000 lbs
9. OSHA, HAZWOPER Standard 29 CFR 1910.120: Workers responding to hazardous material spills beyond incidental cleanup require HAZWOPER training ranging from 8 to 40 hours depending on role
10. OSHA, Process Safety Management Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 Appendix A: Methanol threshold quantity under PSM is 5,000 pounds; facilities exceeding this must comply with full PSM program
11. OSHA, GHS/HazCom 2012 Final Rule (77 FR 17574): 2012 HazCom update aligned U.S. standard with GHS, replacing variable MSDS format with mandatory 16-section SDS; compliance deadline for most employers was June 1, 2016
12. CDC/NIOSH, Methanol: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Documentation: IDLH for methanol is 6,000 ppm; lethal doses in case reports documented below 30 mL oral; blindness reported at doses as low as 4 mL