Guide to Understanding MSDS

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is required by law in most countries whenever materials are transported, stored or used in any process. In many countries, an MSDS must be made available on request to any interested employee.

The format for MSDS in most countries is very similar, with the primary differences being updating frequency and standards for notice to previous recipients.

An MSDS has no legal standing of itself; rules and regulations in different jurisdictions may be more stringent and detailed than any guidelines suggested in an MSDS.

MSDS General Information

• The MSDS for a specific material is designed to provide information on safe handling and storage of the material, as well as the risks associated with exposure. Emergency information on how to handle spills and risks of explosion, fire and reactivity is also included.

  The format for an MSDS is mostly standardized across the world. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Standard Z.400 defines the accepted style and content for an MSDS.

Content

• The first section of an MSDS defines the common chemical name for the material, the name and addresses of the supplier and manufacturer and emergency telephone numbers for each. This section also highlights the chemical formula, other common names for the compound and the CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number, a registry of chemicals maintained by the American Chemical Society.

  Further sections of an MSDS define and explain: potential health hazards; other hazardous compounds included in the material; first aid measures; firefighting methods; accidental spill procedures; handling and storage guidelines; safe human exposure levels; physical properties of the material; reactivity levels; toxicological information; environmental, safe disposal and transport procedures; regulatory data; and other information deemed important.

  Each of these sections is important to specific groups including firefighters, transportation companies and regulators, and health professionals. The purpose of an MSDS is to provide a uniform source of information for all interested parties.