An Introduction to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

An Introduction to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS)👈

A Material Safety Data Sheet or Safety Data Sheet is a document containing information and corrective actions about the material, provided by the manufacturer, or supplier to the end-user to ensure he/she is aware of the material's associated hazards, and corresponding risks, as well as the corrective actions.

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) requires that the;

• Chemical manufacturers should develop and provide a material safety data sheet along with the material about the hazards and corresponding risks followed by the control measures.
• The importers and distributors should obtain relevant safety data sheets and supply them to the end-user.
• End-User/ Employer should have this safety data sheet in their record as long as they are using the material.
• The developed Safety Data Sheet should be prepared in the English language primarily, although the employer/ end-user can maintain the other copies in a different language as well.

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) consists of the 16 sections containing the various information about the material being used. This document provides guidance to the workers who are handling the hazardous chemicals to become familiar with the format and understand the contents of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

The Safety Data Sheet includes the information such as the;

• Chemical properties
• Physical hazards
• Environmental hazards
• Protective measures
• Safety Precautions for handling
• Chemicals storage
• Chemicals transportation

Broadly speaking, it can be said that the;

• Sections 1 to 8 contains

1. The general information about the identification of the chemical
2. Composition
3. Safe handling practices
4. Emergency control measures

• Sections 9 to 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as;

1. Physical and chemical properties
2. Stability and reactivity information
3. toxicological information, exposure control information
4. Preparation date
5. Last revision date

Important Note: It must be noted that Sections 12 through 15 should be consistent with the UN Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

An overview of all 16 sections of the Safety Data Sheet is provided below for reference;

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION

This section identifies the chemical on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) as well as the recommended uses. It also provides the essential contact information of the supplier. The required information consists of;

• Product identifier used on the label and any other common names or synonyms by which the substance is known.
• Name, Address, Phone Number of the manufacturer, importer, other responsible parties, and emergency contact numbers.
• Recommended use of the chemical; a brief description of what it actually does, and any restrictions on use (if applicable).

SECTION 2: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

This section identifies the hazards of the chemical presented on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards. The required information consists of;

• Chemical hazard classification e.g., flammable, ignitable, reactive, etc.
• Signal word
• Hazard statement
• Pictograms
• Precautionary statements
• Description of any hazards not otherwise classified
• For a mixture that contains ingredients with unknown toxicity, a statement describing how much (percentage) of the mixture consists of ingredients with unknown acute toxicity.

SECTION 3: COMPOSITION Or INFORMATION ABOUT INGREDIENTS

This section identifies the ingredients contained in the product indicated on the safety data sheet, including impurities and stabilizing additives. This section includes information on substances, mixtures, and all chemicals where a trade secret is claimed. The information consists of;

1. Substances

• Chemical name
• Common name & synonyms
• Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number & other unique identifiers
• Impurities and stabilizing additives, which are themselves classified and which contribute to the classification of the chemicals.

2. Mixtures

• The same information is required for the substance
• The chemical name and concentration of all ingredients which are classified as health hazards are;

1. Present above the cut-off/concentration limits.
2. Present a health risk below the cut-off/concentration limits.

• The concentration of each ingredient must be specified except concentration ranges may be used in the following situations;

1. A trade secret claim.
2. Batch to batch variation.
3. SDS is used for a group of substantially similar mixtures.

3. Chemicals where a trade secret is claimed

A statement that the specific chemical identity and or exact percentage (concentration) of composition has been withheld as a trade secret is required.

SECTION 4: FIRST AID MEASURES

This section describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical. The required information consists of;

• Necessary first aid instructions by relevant routes of exposure.
• Description of the most important symptoms or effects, and any symptoms that are acute or delayed.
• Recommendations for immediate medical care and special treatment are needed, when necessary.

SECTION 5: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

This section provides recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical. The required information consists of;

• Recommendations of suitable extinguishing equipment.
• Information about extinguishing equipment that is not appropriate for a particular situation.
• Hazards that can take place during the fire due to the chemical, e.g., a new product can occur if the chemical is burnt.
• Recommendation on special personal protective equipment that is to be used.

SECTION 6: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

• This particular section provides recommendations on the appropriate response to accidental release of the chemical e.g., spillage, leakage, etc., at the workplace.
• The section also identifies the measures to take to contain the release and clean up in a safe manner.
• The section also distinguishes measures to adopt for large-scale release and small-scale release.
• Personal precautions for skin, eyes, and clothing, of team members engaged in containment and cleanup after release.
• Emergency procedures include instructions for evacuations, consulting experts when needed, and appropriate protective clothing.
• Methods and materials used for containment e.g., covering the drains and capping procedures.
• Cleanup procedures e.g., appropriate techniques for neutralizing, decontamination, cleaning, or vacuum, adsorbent materials, equipment required for cleanup purposes.

SECTION 7: HANDLING & STORAGE

This section provides guidance on the safe handling practices and conditions for the safe storage of chemicals. The required information consists of;

• Precautions for safe handling, include recommendations for handling incompatible chemicals, minimizing the release of the chemicals into the environment, and providing advice on general hygiene practices e.g., drinking, eating, and smoking in prohibited work areas.
• Recommendations on the safe storage areas, and guidelines provision on any incompatibility & specific storage requirements.

SECTION 8: EXPOSURE CONTROL & PERSONAL PROTECTION

This section dictates the exposure limits at the workplace, engineering controls to control the exposure, and personal protective equipment required during the substance handling and usage to reduce the exposure. The information consists of the information listed below;

• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
• Threshold Limit Value (TLV).
• Other exposure limits.
• Other recommendations suggested by the chemical manufacturer, importer, supplier, etc.
• Engineering controls e.g., Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).
• Personal Protective Equipment is used to prevent exposure, illness, and injury.
• Special requirements if suggested e.g., any special PPEs.

SECTION 9: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

This section identifies physical and chemical properties associated with the substances or mixtures. The following minimum required information is included in Section 9 & listed below;

• Appearance (Physical State, Color)
• Odor
• Odor Threshold
• Chemical/ Material pH
• Melting & Freezing Point
• Initial Boiling Point & Boiling Range
• Flash Point
• Evaporation Rate
• Flammability (solid, gas, liquid)
• Upper & Lower Flammability or Explosive Limits
• Vapor Pressure
• Vapor Density
• Relative Density
• Solubility
• Partition Coefficient
• Auto-Ignition Temperature (AIT)
• Decomposition Temprature
• Viscosity

Note: The whole information listed above can't be part of the every Safety Data Sheet (SDS) since this information can't be relevant to every chemical/ material, hence, the Section 9 information can vary from material to material.

SECTION 10: STABILITY & REACTIVITY

This section describes the reactivity hazards and stability information of the chemical. The section is divided into 3 parts listed below;

• Reactivity
• Chemical Stability
• Other

1. Reactivity

• Description of the specific test data for the chemical. This data can be for a class or family of the chemical if such data adequately represent the anticipated hazard of the chemical.

2. Chemical Stability

• Indication of whether the chemical is stable or unstable under normal ambient temperature and conditions while in storage and being handled.
• Any stabilizers are needed to maintain the chemical's stability.
• Indication of any safety issue that may arise due to a change in physical appearance.

3. Other

• Indication of the possibility of hazardous reactions, including a statement whether the chemical will react or polymerize, which could release excess pressure or heat, or create other hazardous conditions.
• List of all conditions that should be avoided e.g., static discharge, shock, vibration, or environmental conditions, that may lead to hazardous conditions.
• List of all classes of incompatible materials if exposed to, a hazardous condition can occur.
• List of any known or anticipated hazardous decomposition product because of use, storage, or heating. 

SECTION 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

This section identifies toxicological and health effects information, consisting of;

• Information about exposure routes, e.g., inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact, etc.
• Description of the Delayed, Immediate, and Chronic effects from short & long-term exposures.
• The numerical measures of toxicity.
• Symptoms details,  due to exposure to the chemicals including the lowest to the most severe exposure.

SECTION 12: ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION (Non-Mandatory)

This section provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical if it were released into the environment. The information may include;

• Data from toxicity tests performed on aquatic and/or terrestrial organisms, where available.
• Whether there is potential for the chemical to persist and degrade in the environment either through biodegradation or other processes, such as oxidation or hydrolysis.
• Results of tests of bioaccumulation potential making reference to the octanol-water partition coefficient and the bioconcentration factor where available.
• The potential for a substance to move from the soil to the groundwater.
• Other adverse effects.

SECTION 13: DISPOSAL CONSIDERATION (Non-Mandatory)

This section provides guidelines on the appropriate disposal practices, recycling or reclamation of the chemicals or its container, and safe handling practices. To minimize exposure, this section should also refer the reader to section 8 of the safety data sheet. The information may include;

• Description of appropriate disposal containers to use.
• Recommendations of appropriate disposal methods to employ.
• Description of the physical and chemical properties that may affect disposal activities.
• Language discouraging sewage disposal.
• Any special precautions for landfills or incineration activities.

SECTION 14: TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION (Non-Mandatory)

This section provides guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting hazardous chemicals by road, air, rail, or sea. The information may include;

• UN number (4-figure identification number of the substance).
• UN proper shipping name.
• Transporation hazards & classification.
• Packing group number, if applicable, based on the degree of hazard.
• Environmental hazards identification.
• Bulk transportation guidelines.
• Any special precautions which an employee should be aware of or needs to comply with, in connection with transport or conveyance either within or outside their premises.

SECTION 15: REGULATORY INFORMATION (Non-Mandatory)

This section identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific to the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the safety data sheet. The information may consist of;

• Any national and/or regional regulatory information of the chemical or mixtures.

SECTION 16: OTHER INFORMATION

This section deals with the Safety Data Sheet preparation details. It shows when the safety data sheet was prepared when it was reviewed, and who did review it. The changes made (if any) are also stated with reference to the paragraph, line, or section. 

References:

1. OSHA 29 CFR 1910. 1200 Hazard Communication
2. Global Harmonized System of Classification & Labelling of Chemicals
3. Effective Communication of Chemical Hazard and Risk Information Using a Multimedia Safety Data Sheet - RR72