Cheat Sheet; Understanding The MSDS and Your Obligations In The Workplace To Employees
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 ProceduresVIII. Special Handling Information
IX. User's 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 product's 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 pointVapor pressureVapor densitySolubility in waterOdorAppearance and colorGravity in terms of waterPercentage which is or could be volatileReactivity, if any, in waterPh Level
Section IV contains fire and explosion data such as:
Flash pointWhat will extinguish it if it catches fireFlammable limitsAny special fire fighting proceduresAny 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 product's reactivity with other elements and common compounds. It discusses conditions to avoid, the product's stability or instability and it's 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 user's 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".
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance;
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