MSDS SHEETS MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDS sheets contain nine sections. These sections are: I. General Information II. Ingredients III. Physical Data IV. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data V. Health Hazard Information VI. Reactivity Data VII. Spill, Leak and Disposal Procedures VIII. Special Handling Information IX. Users Responsibility At the top of each sheet is a square on end. It looks like a diamond shape. It is broken into four squares inside this diamond shape. The squares mean: Top Square (Fire) Left Square (Toxic) Right Square (Reaction) Bottom Square (Special) In each square there is a number from zero to four. The numbers equal: Four = Extreme Three = High Two = Moderate One = Slight Zero = Insignificant This indicates how safe or volatile the product is. It also gives you an indication of whether the fumes are dangerous, if it is flammable, if it will react adversely with other chemical or if it is radioactive or biologically unsafe. Section I, the general information section, contains information such as: Who prepared the MSDS Sheet The products trade name and type of chemical Which chemical family the product belongs to Basic formula Name and address of manufacturer DOT shipping classification DOT Hazard classification Section II contains ingredients. Generally only hazardous ingredients will be listed. It will normally be in chart form: Name of component CAS number Percentage of hazardous chemicals Concentration in parts per million Section III contains physical data, things that you probably learned in chemistry class: Boiling point Vapor pressure Vapor density Solubility in water Odor Appearance and color Gravity in terms of water Percentage which is or could be volatile Reactivity, if any, in water Ph Level Section IV contains fire and explosion data such as: Flash point What will extinguish it if it catches fire Flammable limits Any special fire fighting procedures Any unusual hazards regarding fire and explosion Section V contains health hazard information and what happens when: Product vapor is inhaled Product comes in contact with skin, eyes, etc. Product is swallowed It tells you what symptoms to expect and what should be done including any first aid or emergency procedures. Section VI contains information regarding the products reactivity with other elements and common compounds. It discusses conditions to avoid, the products stability or instability and its decomposition. Section VII contains information regarding spill response procedures including any special state, federal or local laws to be met. Section VIII contains information regarding special handling. It is basically a catch-all section for anything not covered by other sections. Items such as: Respiratory Protection Eye Protection Gloves Ventilation Engineering Controls are not uncommon in this section. Sometimes you will find equipment discussed here. Special equipment that the manufacturer recommends for CYA purposes in case something goes wrong. Section IX contains information regarding the users responsibility. It is a disclaimer section that manufacturers generally use to avoid law suits. Usually they pass the buck by saying people using this product should maintain a safe work place at all times and have in written form a safety manual for employees, workers and independent contractors. Following all these sections is a blown out of proportion disclaimer usually written in plain English by an attorney releasing the product manufacturer from any responsibility what so ever and further more disavows the manufacturers from any mistakes in the MSDS sheet therein. MSDS sheets must be kept on the truck at all times for all the chemicals you use. We suggest you keep these sheets in out in the open in a binder with clear plastic sheets covering each page to insure that you are in compliance with your obligation to the OSHA Right to Know Rules. |
