Reading a Material Safety Data Sheet
Effective Protection You Can Depend On The Material Safety
Data Sheet, or MSDS, is written information that can help
protect you from overexposure to chemicals you find on the
job. The MSDS is part of your company's Hazard Communications
Program. Each company can design its own MSDS form, and the
sections may be in different order. But, the basic kinds of
information on any MSDS will be the same.
- Chemical Name
Lists the identity of the substance (the name on the label),
date the MSDS was prepared, the name and address of the
manufacturer, and usually a phone number for emergencies
and more information.
- Hazardous Ingredients/Chemical Identity
Includes names of substance in the chemical that might be
dangerous, and safe exposure limits such as Permissible
Exposure Limit or PEL (set by OSHA) or the Threshold Value
Limit or TVL. Also lists common names for the chemical.
- Physical Characteristics
Describes many physical qualities of the chemical, and lets
you know what's usual or safe. For example, how the chemical
looks and smells; boiling and melting temperatures (important
in case a chemical might become a gas you could breathe);
evaporation rate (known as percent volatile); how easily
the chemical dissolves; and how heavy it is (this tells
you if it will sink, float, or dissolve in water.)
- Fire and Explosion Data
Tells you the lowest temperature when the chemical could
catch fire (flash point). Lets you know if it's flammable
(catches fire below 100 degrees F) or combustible (catches
fire above 100 degrees F). Lists the best way to put out
a fire involving that chemical.
- Reactivity
Describes what happens if this chemical comes in contact
with air, water, or other chemicals. Describes conditions
(like heat) or materials (like water) that can cause the
chemical to react by burning, exploding, or releasing dangerous
vapors. The chemical is called "incompatible" or "unstable"
with these conditions or substances.
- Health Hazards
Lists ways the chemical might enter you body, like splashing
on your skin or being breathed in as vapor as well as possible
symptoms of overexposure. Lets you know if overexposure
might make existing medical conditions worse, and describes
emergency first aid procedures.
- Usage, Handling, And Storage
Describes how to clean up an accidental spill, leak, or
release, including special procedures. Tells you how to
handle, store and dispose of chemicals safety. Remember,
if there is an accident, notify our supervisor immediately,
and take care of it yourself only if you are trained to
do so and are wearing the proper equipment.
- Special Protection And Precautions
Explains special Personal Protective Equipment to use when
working with the chemical special procedures, extra health
or safety information, signs that should be posted, and
other information not covered in other sections.
Required Information on a MSDS:
(A) The Chemical Name
(B) Any Common Names
(C) The CAS Number of the "Hazardous Substance"
(D) The Potential for Explosion
(F) The Potential for Reactivity
(G) Acute and Chronic Health Effects
(H) Potential Routes of Exposure
(I) Symptoms of Overexposure
(J) Proper Precautions
(K) Handling Practices
(L) Necessary Personal Protective Equipment
(M) Other Safety Precautions in the Use of or Exposure to
the "Hazardous Substance"
(N) Emergency Procedures for Spills
(O) Emergency Procedures for Fire
(P) Disposal Procedures
(Q) First Aid Procedures Risks Posed by the "Hazardous
Substance"
(R) A Description in Lay Terms of the Specific Potential Health
(S) The Month and Year the Information was Compiled
(T) Name and Address of the Manufactures Responsible for Preparing
the Information
Revised: 10/2003, Reviewed 2/1/2006 sh