What is a Material Safety Data Sheet?
A Material Safety Data Sheet is defined as written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical that is prepared in accordance with 29CFR1910.1200.
Each chemical produced must be evaluated for its potential hazards by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor. The hazard information based on the scientific evidence of this evaluation is then placed on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor is required to send an MSDS with:
How to read and understand an MSDS
Each MSDS may look a bit different, but they must all provide the same information. Basically, the MSDS must inform you how to safely use, handle and store the chemical. All information must be written in English.
Before you use any chemical product, read the MSDS to find out what safety precautions are needed. Reading an MSDS before hand also saves valuable time in the event of an accident. If you cannot find an MSDS for a certain chemical, inform your supervisor. Your employer is required to provide information and training on that chemical before you can continue to work with it.
Contents of a MSDS
A. Suppliers / Manufacturer Information (also referred to as Product Identification, General Identification, Chemical Identification, Material Identification)
This includes:
(this section supplies much of the same information used on the warning label)
Other information that may be in this section:
B. Hazardous Ingredients/ Identity Information
This section lists what’s in the chemical that can cause harm, as well as how much of the chemical you can safely be exposed to. This amount is referred to as either:
These amounts, which are listed based on a typical 8 hour work shift, are usually reported as parts per million or PPM.
[As a rule of thumb, the lower the number the more hazardous the chemical]
C. Physical Data (also called Physical / Chemical Characteristics)
The chemicals physical characteristics are listed in this area. This includes:
a. boiling point
b. Appearance
c. Odor
d. Percent volatile (how much of the chemical evaporates at room temperature)
e. PH (how acidic or caustic at substance is on a scale of 1 to 14).
[Note: 1 is very acidic, 7 is neutral, 14 is very caustic]
D. Fire and Explosion Data
This section tells you the flash point (the temperature at which the chemical will ignite) and provides information on how to safely extinguish a fire, including the type of fire extinguisher to use.
[Note: A flammable chemical ignites below 100 degrees F. A combustible chemical ignites at 100 degrees F.]
E. Health Hazard Data (also called Toxicology and Health Information)
This section identifies the generally recognized health hazards of the chemical. Symptoms of overexposure are also listed. This could include such comments as ‘headache’ or ‘burn’ to the statement ‘presents no health hazard’
Other information listed in this section includes:
a. TLV (threshold limit value)
b. Whether the substance is a carcinogen
c. Any medical conditions that may be aggravated by exposure
d. Primary route of entry
e. First aid and emergency procedures
F. Reactivity Data
This section shows whether you need to be concerned about what could happen if the chemical is mixed with air, water, or other chemicals. It also explains what conditions and chemicals to keep away from.
[Note: Incompatibility refers to materials such as water or other chemicals that cause the chemical to burn, explode, or release dangerous gases. Stability indicates whether the substance is stable or unstable while in use, storage or through misuse.]
G. Precautions for Safe Handling and Use (also called Environmental Impact, Spill or Leak Procedures)
In this section you’ll find instructions for the correct way to handle, store, and dispose of the chemical. There’s also information on what to do if the chemical spills, leaks or is released into the air. Naturally, you need to know this information before you start the job.
H. Special Protection Information (also called Exposure Control Methods)
This section lists other precautions you may need to follow when handling the chemical, such as the proper protective equipment required for clean-up of a spill.
I. Special Precautions
Other generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use of the chemical. This section may include the type of signs to use in case of a spill and how to properly handle contaminated equipment.
[Note: ANSI has proposed that all MSDS’s be standardized.]
Where do I find Material Safety Data Sheets?
As a requirement of the Hazard Communication Standard, Material Safety Data Sheets must be easily accessible to all employees. In any work area, workers should always know where to find information regarding chemicals that they work with (i.e., the MSDS station). Check with your supervisor if you are unsure where your MSDS station is at.
