From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
A material safety data sheet
or MSDS is a form
containing data regarding the
properties of a particular
substance. An important component
of
workplace safety, it is
intended to provide workers and
emergency personnel with
procedures for handling or working
with that substance in a safe
manner, and includes information
such as physical data (melting
point,
boiling point,
flash point, etc.),
toxicity,
health effects,
first aid,
reactivity, storage, disposal,
protective equipment, and spill
handling procedures. The exact
format of an MSDS can vary from
source to source.
MSDS (Material Safety Data
Sheets) are a widely used system
for cataloging information on
chemicals. MSDS information
may include instructions for the
safe use and potential
hazards associated with a
certain chemical. MSDS can be
found anywhere chemicals are being
used.
There is also a duty to
properly label substances on the
basis of physico-chemical, health
and/or environmental risk. Labels
include hazard symbols such as the
Saint Andrew's Cross (a black
diagonal cross on an orange
background which is used in the
European Union to denote a harmful
or irritant substance).
An MSDS for a substance is not
primarily intended for use by the
general consumer, focusing instead
on the hazards of working with the
material in an occupational
fashion. For example, an MSDS for
a cleaning solution is not highly
pertinent to someone who uses a
can of the cleaner once a year,
but is extremely important to
someone who does this in a
confined space for 40 hours a
week.
The MSDS is required to state
the chemical's risks, safety and
impact on the environment.
Usage by country
In the U.S.,
OSHA requires that MSDS be
available to employees for
potentially harmful substances
handled in the workplace under the
"Employee right to know" rules.
In Canada, the program known as
the Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS)
establishes the requirements for
MSDSs in Canadian workplaces under
the Hazardous Products Act, Part
II and the associated Controlled
Products Regulations, both of
which are administered by the
federal Department of Health,
WHMIS Division.
In the UK the Chemicals (Hazard
Information and Packaging for
Supply) Regulations 2002 - known
as CHIP Regulations - impose
duties upon suppliers, and
importers into the EU, of
hazardous substances. This
includes a duty to supply a safety
data sheet with 16 sections:
product and supplier
identification,
composition/ingredients, hazard
identification, first aid
measures, fire fighting measures,
accidental release measures,
handling and storage
considerations, exposure
controls/personal protective
equipment, physical/chemical
properties, stability and
reactivity, toxicological info,
ecological info, disposal
considerations, transport info,
regulatory info, other info.
The COSHH Regulations 2002
govern the use of hazardous
substances in the workplace in the
UK and specifically require an
assessment of the use of a
substance. Regulation 12 requires
that an employer provides
employees with information,
instruction and training for
people exposed to hazardous
substances. This duty would be
very nearly impossible without the
data sheet as a starting point. It
is important for employers
therefore to insist on receiving a
data sheet from a supplier of a
substance.
Phrases
The
European Union (EU) requires
that
Risk and Safety Statements (
R- and S-phrases) and a symbol
appear on each
label and safety data sheet
for
hazardous
chemicals.
Water Hazard Classes
The German Federal Water
Management Act requires that
substances be evaluated for
negative influence on the
physical,
chemical or
biological characteristics of
water. These are classified into
numeric water hazard classes (WGK
or WHC depending whether you use
the English or German acronym).
- WGK nwg: Non-water polluting
substance
- WGK 1: Slightly water
polluting substance
- WGK 2: Water polluting
substance
- WGK 3: Highly water
polluting substance
