Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Ralph Quiazon 03/04/11

What’s it for?

• A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to tell you everything you need to know about a chemical and how to use it safely

• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) …yea, it’s a Federal Agency– Hazardous Communication Standard

• Every hazardous material (listed on the chemical hazard inventory) must have a corresponding MSDS provided by the chemical supplier (at least on first shipment)

– Laboratory Standard• MSDS sheets must be kept on hand and be accessible

to personnel during work hours

Why Keep It Around?

The Eight Main Sections

1. Product Identification2. Hazardous Ingredients3. Physical Attributes4. Fire & Explosion Hazard Data5. Reactivity6. Health Hazards7. Usage, Handling, Storage & Disposal8. Special Protection & Precautions

Product Identification

• Product name• Other known names• Date MSDS is prepares• Name & address of manufacturer• Emergency phone number• Chemical family• Chemical formula• CAS#

Hazardous Ingredients

• Percent composition • Chemicals present• Exposure limits/threshold

Physical Attributes

• Pertinent properties– Boiling/melting point– Specific gravity– Appearance/odor– Evaporation Rate– Etc…

Fire & Explosion Hazard Data

• Flashpoint• Flammable/Combustible• Explosive limits• Fire extinguishing

procedures• Conditions which may

cause fire or explosion

Reactivity

• Conditions to cause instability• Incompatibility with other chemicals• Hazardous material created during

decomposition or phase change

Health Hazards

• Dangers or symptoms caused by exposure• Dangers for people with medical conditions• Emergency & first aid procedures

Usage, Handling, Storage, & Disposal

• Cleanup of spills (small & large)• Appropriate Waste Disposal• Handling of chemical• Proper storage

Special Protection, Precautions

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should be used

• Other equipment that may be needed

• Ventilation• Signs that should be

posted