MSDS: What Are Material Safety Data Sheets

MSDS - Overview of Material Safety Data Sheets

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (regulations) , with guidance for employers (guidelines) . The MSDS is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical.  It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product. MSDS's contain useful information such as flash point, toxicity, procedures for spills and leaks, and storage guidelines. For an explanation of the terms used in MSDS's, click here. Information included in a Material Safety Data Sheet aids in the selection of safe products, helps you understand the potential health and physical hazards of a chemical and describes how to respond effectively to exposure situations. Although there is an effort currently underway to standardizes MSDS's the quality of individual MSDS's vary. A MSDS may be useful but it can not substitute for prudent practices and comprehensive risk management.

If you need to write an msds see: How to Create an MSDS for Your Company's Product

For commercial product MSDS's - if you have a commercial product or formulation, rather than a simple, single chemical compound click this link for the products Material Safety Data Sheets, listed by manufacturer!

General Guidance and Directions

ANSI Version

The numbering in these directions applies to the ANSI version of MSDS, which is the preferred format (also used by Canada) , (see How to Create an MSDS for Your Company's Product ) but the differences are trivial and the directions are applicable to both MSDS's. Remember, in the United States, OSHA does not specific a particular format for the MSDS, only the content.

Here is a sample of the the new MSDS form, for free (right click and select "save target as" if you want to save a copy to your hard drive, where you can open it and work on it). 

Section 1. Chemical product and company identification

Links the MSDS to the material. Identifies the supplier of the MSDS. Identifies a source for more information. You must include the manufacturer's name.

Section 2. Composition/information on ingredients

Lists the OSHA hazardous components May also list significant nonhazardous components. May also include additional information about components (e.g., exposure guidelines)

You can patent your product to protect the contents, but you must disclose all hazardous constituents.

Section 3. Hazards identification, including emergency overview

Provides information on the potential adverse human health effects and symptoms that might result from reasonably foreseeable use and misuse of the material. May provide emergency overview.

Typically, this section is brief, one or two paragraphs.

Section 4. First aid measures

Provides instructions to be taken if accidental exposure requires immediate treatment. May also include instructions to medical professionals. This should include specific instructions to medical professionals; not general platitudes, like "seek medical help" or "apply CPR"

Section 5. Fire fighting measures

Provides basic fire fighting guidance, including appropriate extinguishing media. Describes other fire and explosive properties useful for avoiding and fighting fires involving the material, such as flash point or explosive limits.

Section 6. Accidental release measures

Describes actions to be taken to minimize the adverse effects of an accidental spell, leak or release of the material.

Section 7. Handling and storage

Provides information on appropriate practices for safe handling and storage.

Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Provides information on practices, or equipment, or both, that are useful in minimizing worker exposure. May also include exposure guidelines. Provides guidance on personal protective equipment.

Section 9. Physical and chemical properties

Provides additional data that can be used to help characterize the material and design safe work practices.

Section 10. Stability and reactivity

Describes the conditions to be avoided or other materials that may cause a reaction that would change the intrinsic stability of the material.

Section 11. Toxicological information

May be used to provide background toxicological information on the material, its compounds, or both.

Section 12. Ecological information

May be used to provide information on the effects the material may have on plants or animals and on the material's environmental fate.

Section 13. Disposal considerations

May provide information that is useful in determining appropriate disposal measures.

Section 14. Transport information

May provide basic shipping classification information. [Comment: If any specific transportation label is required state it here. For bulk chemicals include the UN number. Otherwise just say "May be shipped normally as a nonhazardous matererial"

Section 15. Regulatory information

May be used to proved any additional information on regulations affecting the material.

Section 16. Other information

May be used to provide any additional information. [Comment: If you must include useless denials of responsibility, keep them confined to this section]

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MSDS CHECKLIST for the ANSI MSDS

Product Name:

SECTION 1 - Chemical Product and Company
Identification

COMMENTS

Product Identifier

     [WHMIS Classification]

     Product Use

Manufacturer's Name

    Street address

    City, Province/State, Postal/Zip Code

     Emergency Telephone Number

     [Fax Number]

Supplier's Name

    Street Address

    City, Province/State, Postal/Zip Code

     Emergency Telephone Number

     [Fax Number]

     Preparation date of MSDS

     MSDS Prepared By

     Phone Number of Preparer

SECTION 2Composition/Information on Ingredients

Hazardous
Ingredients
(specific)

%

CAS#

LD 50

LC 50



SECTION 3Hazards Identification	COMMENTS
Route of entry:     Skin contact     Skin absorption      Eye contact      Inhalation      Ingestion
     [Emergency Overview]
     [WHMIS Symbols]
     [Potential Health Effects]
SECTION 4First Aid Measures
    Skin Contact
     Eye Contact
     Inhalation
     Ingestion
SECTION 5 - Fire Fighting Measures
Flammable No     Yes - identify under which conditions
     Means of Extinction
     Flashpoint ( degrees C) and Method (oc or cc)
     Upper Flammable Limit (% by volume)
     Lower Flammable Limit (% by volume)
    Autoignition Temperature ( degrees C)
     Explosion Data - Sensitivity to Impact
     Explosion Data - Sensitivity to Static Discharge
     Hazardous Combustion Products
     [NFPA]
SECTION 6 - Accidental Release Measures
     Leak and Spill Procedures
SECTION 7 - Handling and Storage
     Handling Procedures and Equipment
    Storage Requirements




SECTION 8 - Exposure Control/Personal Protection	COMMENTS
Exposure Limits
ACGIH TLV
OSHA PEL
    Other (specify)
Engineering Controls (specific)     General      Local Exhaust     Other (specify)
Personal Protective Equipment (specific)     Gloves      Respirator      Eye      Footwear     Clothing     Other
SECTION 9Physical and Chemical Properties
     Physical State
    Odour and Appearance
    Odour Threshold (ppm)
    Specific Gravity
    Vapour Density (air=1)
    Vapour Pressure (mmHg)
     Evaporation Rate
     Boiling Point ( degrees C)
     Freezing Point ( degrees C)
     pH
    Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution
     [Solubility in Water]
SECTION 10 - Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability? Yes      NoIdentify under which conditions
Incompatibility with other substances     YesIdentify which ones
     Reactivity, and under what conditions?
     Hazardous Decomposition Products




SECTION 11 - Toxicological Information	COMMENTS
     Effects of Acute Exposure
     Effects of Chronic Exposure
     Irritancy of Product
    Skin Sensitization
     Respiratory Sensitization
Carcinogencity      IARC ((1, 2A or 2B)     ACGIH (A1, A2 or A3)
     Reproductive Toxicity
    Teratogenicity
     Embryotoxicity
     Mutagenicity
     Name of Synergistic Products/Effects
SECTION 12Ecological Information
     [Aquatic Toxicity]
SECTION 13Disposal Considerations
    Waste Disposal
SECTION 14Transport Information
    Special Shipping Information      PIN u TDG      [DOT]      [IMO]      [ICAO]
SECTION 15Regulatory Information
     [WHMIS CLASSIFICATION]
     [OSHA]
     [SERA]
     [TSCA]
SECTION 16Other Information

This product has been classified in accordance with the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by CPR.

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General Guidance and Directions

U.S. Version - The OSHA Form 174 Standard

Click here if you want to download a Word version of the 174 form or here for an RTF version .

Material Safety Data Sheet May be used to comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. Standard must be consulted for specific requirements.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Non-Mandatory Form) Form Approved OMB No. 1218-0072

Section I

Manufacturer's Name	Emergency Telephone Number
Address (Number, Street, City, State, and ZIP Code)	Telephone Number for Information
	Date Prepared
	Signature of Preparer (optional)

Section II - Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information


Section III - Physical/Chemical Characteristics


Section IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data


Section V - Reactivity Data



Section VI - Health Hazard Data


Section VII - Precautions for Safe Handling and Use

Steps to Be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled

Waste Disposal Method

Precautions to Be taken in Handling and Storing

Other Precautions

Section VIII - Control Measures

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