MSDS Information
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are designed to help you understand how to work safely with chemicals in your work area. Although Material Safety Data Sheets may vary in appearance and length, MSDS's are only required to have approximately 8 sections which explain the proper ways to use, handle, and store chemicals in your work area. In addition, MSDS's provide information regarding the health hazards associated with the use of chemicals, the precautionary measures to follow, and the emergency procedures for spills, fire, and first aid. The following blank RMC MSDS sample will help you to become familiar with using MSDS's. The MSDS can be a very important tool which can help you as an employee understand the dangers associated with the chemicals in the work area and most importantly, the proper ways to protect yourself and other employees. Be sure to read the MSDS for each chemical in your work area before attempting to work with a chemical you are unfamiliar with. Remember to always consult with your supervisor if you have specific questions concerning MSDS's or chemicals in your work area. Section 1 The introductory section of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) includes the chemical manufacturer's name, address and emergency phone number, the chemical name, trade name, and chemical formula. This section also includes pertinent NFPA/HMIS classification. This section helps you identify the chemical on the MSDS. Section 2 This section describes the health effects associated with being overexposed to the chemical through ingestion, inhalation, and skin or eye contact. The information may include: the acute (immediate) and chronic (long-term) effects of overexposure to the chemical, whether the chemical is a know carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), emergency and first aid procedures to follow in case of overexposure, whether overexposures may require immediate medical attention, and medical conditions that may be aggravated upon contact with the chemical. If you work in an area where overexposure is possible, safety equipment may be needed to protect you. Section 3 This section lists any hazardous ingredients found within the chemical that can be hazardous to you. In this section you might also see the terms TLV (Threshold Limit Value) and PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit). Both terms are used to express the airborne concentration levels of a chemical to which most persons can safely be exposed during a normal workday. Another term, C.A.S. (Chemical Abstract Service), will usually be listed in this section of the MSDS. The C.A.S. numbers identify specific chemicals according to information published by the American Chemical Society. Section 4 This section offers appropriate First Aid procedures to follow should an employee be exposed to a hazardous chemical. This section typically provides an explanation of the type of aid that should be given to the exposed person, such as administering oxygen, induction of vomiting, or the immediate rinsing of skin to prevent absorption or irritation. Section 5 This section helps you determine the chemical's flash point, which is the temperature at which a chemical will release enough flammable vapor to ignite. Chemicals that ignite at or above 100°F are classified as combustible; those that ignite below 100[Valerie Kromer]°F are classified as flammable. In addition this section usually lists the chemical's upper and lower flammability limits, proper types of extinguishing media required to safely extinguish the fire (example: Co2, water, foam, etc.), special firefighting procedures, and many unusual fire and explosion hazards associated with the chemical. Section 6 This section lists the procedure to follow when a chemical is accidentally released or spilled. It will also cover types of cleanup and protective equipment needed to safely contain or clean up a spill as well as proper ways to dispose of the chemical. Section 7 This section usually discusses special precautions to be taken during handling and storage of the chemical[Valerie Kromer], such as keeping away from heat, sparks or flame or if there are any hazards associated with the empty containers. Also, this section will usually discuss any other health or safety concerns that have not already been mentioned in another section of the MSDS. Section 8 This section lists the types of special protective equipment (respirator, gloves, eye protection, ventilation) that are recommended to be used when working with the chemical. Remember, there are various types of protective equipment that are specially designed for certain tasks. The suggested personal protective equipment listed in this section is a general recommendation only, it is up to your employer to properly assign appropriate PPE based on usage of the chemical. This means that when using the chemical every 10 - 20 minutes in an 8 hour period versus using once per day for 2 minutes would create a greater need for better PPE. Consult with your supervisor to ensure you are using the correct type for the work you are performing. Section 9 This section lists such important physical properties of the chemical as boiling point, vapor density, percent volatile, appearance and odor, and others. This information helps determine the degree of hazards associated with the chemical in different work environments. For example, vapor density describes the weight of a vapor relative to an equal volume of air (air = 1). If a chemical has a vapor density greater than 1, the vapor will be heavier than air and tends to fall and hug the ground. Section 10 The information contained in this section helps you determine if the chemical will react with other chemicals or conditions. Chemicals that are reactive (unstable) may explode, burn, or release toxic substances under certain conditions. In addition, this section usually tells you if the chemical is stable or unstable and lists any chemicals or substances that might be incompatible with the chemical. Section 11 This section contains any toxicological information, such as oral or dermal testing data. In toxicology tests, relatively high doses of the chemical are administered to animals to exaggerate the potential for human exposure. The data included in this section may include acute toxicity tests which are used to predict potential adverse health effects from a single exposure to the chemical. The tests may also include chronic toxicity testing that are conducted for a 12 month to more than 8 year time frame to ascertain potential long-term exposure to the chemical. Section 12 The information in this section may contain information from aquatic toxicity testing. A specific species of fish and/or microorganism is chosen for the test to see the effects of the chemical on the organism. Section 13 Contains a generic statement for disposing of the chemical. It is important to follow your local, state and federal regulations when you need to dispose of the chemical. Each municipality may have a different regulation pertaining to disposal. Section 14 This section may give any transportation (DOT) information for the chemical, however Rochester Midland prefers to refer the user to the appropriate Bill of Lading to ensure accurate up to date DOT information is given. Section 15 All pertinent regulatory information (TSCA, CA Prop 65, Canadian WHMIS, state right to know, etc.) is contained in this section to assist in potential regulatory reporting requirements. Section 16 The last section would include any additional information required for the chemical that is not covered in the other listed sections. |