2. WHAT IS AN
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MSDS
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains-
• Information on the potential health effects of exposure to chemicals
• Safe working procedures when handling chemical products
MSDSs-
• Are to be provided by Supplier’s with all deliveries
• MUST be Accessible to EVERYONE in the workplace
• Must be current
• Must be made available to attending physician in the event of exposure
3. SOME
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DEFINITIONS
Auto ignition temperature: Lowest temperature at which it
spontaneously ignites in normal atmosphere without an
external source of ignition.
Flash point: Lowest temperature at which vapors of a
volatile material will ignite, given an ignition source.
4. SOME
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DEFINITIONS CONT’D
Lethal Dose50 (LD50): The value of LD50 for a substance is the
dose required to kill half the members of a tested population.
TWA: An 8-hour Time-Weighted Average is the
concentration the average worker can be exposed during an
8-hour workday, day after day, without harmful effects.
6. SOME
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ABBREVIATIONS
1. OEL – Occupational Exposure Limit (g/m3)
2. PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit
3. TLV - Threshold Limit Value
4. STEL - Short Term Exposure Limit
5. CAS - Chemical Abstracts Service
6. OSHA – Occupational Health & Safety Administration
7. WHMIS – Workplace Hazardous Material Information System
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Product name and any other common names or synonyms by which
the substance is known.
Name, address, phone number of the manufacturer, importer, or other
responsible party, and emergency phone number.
Recommended use of the chemical and any restrictions on use.
MSDS Information: Section I
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
14. The hazard classification of the chemical (e.g. “Flammable liquid, category1”)
Signal word (e.g. “Danger” and “Warning.” )
Hazard statement(s) (e.g. “H300: Fatal if swallowed”)
Pictograms
Precautionary statement(s) (P102 Keep out of reach of children)
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MSDS Information: Section II
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
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Substances
Chemical name, common name and synonyms.
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number.
Mixtures
Same information required for substances.
The chemical name and concentration
(i.e., exact percentage) of all
ingredients which are classified
as health hazards
MSDS Information: Section III
COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTES
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Necessary first-aid instructions by relevant routes of exposure (inhalation, skin
and eye contact, and ingestion).
Description of the most important symptoms or effects, and any symptoms that
are acute or delayed.
Recommendations for immediate medical care
and special treatment needed, when necessary.
MSDS Information: Section IV
FIRST-AID MEASURES
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Recommendations of suitable extinguishing equipment, and information about
extinguishing equipment that is not appropriate for a particular situation.
Advice on specific hazards that develop from the chemical
during the fire, such as any hazardous products created
when the chemical burns.
Recommendations on special protective
equipment or precautions
for freighters.
MSDS Information: Section V
FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
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18. Use of and protective equipment to prevent the contamination of skin, eyes, and
clothing during cleanup.
Emergency procedures, including instructions for evacuations, consulting experts
when needed, and appropriate protective clothing.
Methods and materials used for containment (e.g., covering the drains)
Cleanup procedures.
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MSDS Information: Section VI
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
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Precautions for safe handling, including recommendations for handling
incompatible chemicals, minimizing the release of the chemical into the
environment, and providing advice on general hygiene practices.
Recommendations on the conditions for safe storage, including any
incompatibilities. Provide advice on
specific storage requirements
(e.g., ventilation requirements).
MSDS Information: Section VII
HANDLING AND STORAGE
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PEL , TLV, OEL, STEL and any other exposure limit used or recommended by
the chemical manufacturer, importer.
Appropriate engineering controls (e.g., use local exhaust ventilation, or use only
in an enclosed system)
Recommendations for personal protective measures to prevent exposure to
chemicals.
Any special requirements for PPE, protective
clothing or respirators (e.g., type of glove
material)
MSDS Information: Section VIII
EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
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Appearance
Odor
Vapor pressure
Vapor density
pH
Melting /freezing point
Solubility
Flash point
Auto-ignition temperature
Evaporation rate;
Decomposition
temperature
Flammability
Viscosity.
MSDS Information: Section IX
PHYSICALAND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
This section identifies physical and chemical properties associated with the
substance or mixture.
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Reactivity
Description of the specific test data for the chemical(s). This data can be for a
class or family of the chemical if such data adequately represent the anticipated
hazard of the chemical(s), where available.
Chemical stability
Indication of whether the chemical is stable or unstable under normal ambient
temperature and conditions while
in storage and being handled.
MSDS Information: Section X
STABILITYAND REACTIVITY
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Description of the delayed, immediate, or chronic effects from short- and long-
term exposure.
The numerical measures of toxicity (e.g., acute toxicity estimates such as the
LD50)
Description of the symptoms. This description includes the symptoms associated
with exposure to the chemical including symptoms from the lowest to the most
severe exposure.
MSDS Information: Section XI
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Impact on aquatic or terrestrial organisms.
Whether there is a potential for the chemical to persist and degrade in the
environment.
The potential for a substance to move from the soil to the groundwater.
Other adverse effects (e.g. ozone layer depletion, global warming)
MSDS Information: Section XII
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Description of appropriate disposal containers to use.
Recommendations of appropriate disposal methods to employ.
Description of the physical and chemical properties that may affect disposal
activities.
Any special precautions for landfills activities.
MSDS Information: Section XIII
DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
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This section provides guidance on classification information for shipping and
transporting of hazardous chemical by road, air, rail, or sea.
Transport hazard classes.
Environmental hazards.
Guidance on transport in bulk amount.
MSDS Information: Section XIV
TRANSPORT INFORMATION
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This section identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for
the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS. The information may
include:
Any national or regional regulatory information of the chemical or mixtures
(including any OSHA, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection
Agency)
MSDS Information: Section XV
REGULATORY INFORMATION
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This section indicates when the SDS was prepared or when the last known
revision was made.
The SDS may also state where the changes have been made to the previous
version.
Other useful information also may be included here.
MSDS Information: Section XVI
OTHER INFORMATION
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MSDS’s are NOT Risk Assessments!
When using substances you must carry out a
risk assessment but use the information in
MDSD’s to help you.
Controls should be proportional to risk!
Not all MSDS’s contain complete
information, although they should have!
If in doubt, always use or consult an
expert.
REMEMBER!
PLEASE
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