What is an MSDS?
MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. It is a reference
full of information about a certain chemical designed to help workers handle
and use the chemical safely. By taking a few minutes to read through the MSDS
before you start to work with a chemical, you can find out what hazards it
poses to your health, what its physical properties are, and how to handle and
store it.
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What is contained in an MSDS?
- Identity.
What is it called on the label and its synonyms.
This section also contains the manufacturer’s name and address and a phone
number to call for information in case of an emergency. Maximum safe exposures
are also listed here.
Trade Secret.
The only time you won't find the
identity of a chemical is when it's a trade secret. But the MSDS will still
tell you about its hazards and required safety measures.
- Physical and Chemical Characteristics.
This section will
tell you the boiling and melting point, vapor pressure, vapor density and
evaporation rate, solubility in water and specific gravity and normal
appearance and odor.
- Fire and Explosion Hazard Data.
Here you’ll find the
flash point, which is the minimum temperature at which the vapors from a liquid
may ignite, the flammability limits, and which type of fire extinguisher to
use.
Flammability limits indicate the concentration of the
substance, in the form of a gas or vapor, that's needed for it to ignite.
Ignition is less likely below the lower limit or above the upper limit. Compare
it to an engine that won't start if the carburetor is set too lean (below the
lower limit) or is flooded (above the upper limit).
- Reactivity Data.
This section explains what could happen
if this chemical were mixed with other chemicals, water or air. It will tell
you if the substance is stable, what it should be kept away from and what
situations to avoid.
- Health Hazard Data.
How could the chemical enter your
body and which is the most dangerous. This section is the most important for a
typical chemical worker. After talking about exposure routes, it lists possible
health hazards, like burns, eye damage or cancer. It will also give you the
warning signs of exposure, such as dizziness, nausea, headache or rashes.
Finally, this section lists the emergency and first-aid procedures you should
use until medical help arrives.
- Handling.
This tells you how to safely use and handle the
chemical. It talks about what to do in case of spill or leak, how to store the
chemicals for long periods of time and correct way to dispose of the hazardous
substance.
- Control Measures.
What sort of protective equipment, work
and hygiene practices and ventilation are required to work safely and minimize
your exposure.
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Where can you find MSDSs?
Employers are required to keep one on file for each chemical
they use. They should be in an easily accessible place so that workers can look
up the MSDS for a chemical before they begin to work with it. If a new chemical
is ordered, the manufacturer will provide an MSDS in the shipment. Make sure to
add a copy to the company records for other workers.
Remember, if you are using or handling a hazardous chemical, it is
YOUR responsibility to read and understand the MSDS before starting. That way
you’ll know exactly what the risks are and how to do the job safely. Then
follow procedures and use the recommended equipment. If you do that, hazards
won’t be so hazardous after all.
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Example MSDS
This link takes you to a sample MSDS for a typical hazardous material
that everyone is familiar with: acetone. Acetone is commonly used when
refinishing furniture or to remove grease and dirt.
MSDS for Acetone*
This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download the
Reader here. 
*Note: Mention of a specific company or company's
product in no way implies endorsement of the company or their
product.
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