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Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) are detailed informational
documents which describe the physical and chemical properties of a
hazardous chemical. These documents are prepared by the manufacturer of
the chemical. The Hazard Communication Standard
(Federal Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 or for Washington state WAC 296-62-054)
also known as the "Right -to-Know" law enacted in 1985 sets forth the
following requirements:
- It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of a material to
determine what hazards are associated with the material, to
prepare an MSDS for the material, and to provide the MSDS to
any recipients of the material.
- It is the responsibility of an employer to provide MSDS's and
training in their interpretation to the employees. MSDS's for
hazardous materials must be readily available in the workplace.
- It is the responsibility of the employees to read and understand
the MSDS's of any chemicals used on the job.
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Manufacturers must include the following information:
- Chemical Identity
The identity of the substance as it appears on the label.
- Section I. Manufacturer's Name and Contact Information
Manufacturer's name, address, telephone number and emergency
telephone number. Date the MSDS was prepared and an optional
signature of the preparer.
- Section II. Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information
Lists the hazardous components by chemical identity and other common
names. Includes OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit), ACGIH TLV
(Threshold Level Value) and other recommended exposure limits.
Percentage listings of the hazardous components is optional.
- Section III. Physical/Chemical Characteristics
Boiling point, vapor pressure, vapor density, specific gravity,
melting point, evaporation rate, solubility in water, physical
appearance and odor.
- Section IV. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flash point (and method used to determine it), flammability limits,
extinguishing media, special fire fighting procedures, unusual fire
and explosion hazards.
- Section V. Reactivity Data
Stability,
conditions to avoid, incompatibility (materials to avoid), hazardous
decomposition or byproducts, hazardous polymerization
(and conditions to avoid).
- Section VI. Health Hazard Data
Routes of
entry (inhalation, skin, ingestion), health hazards
(acute = immediate and chronic = build up over time),
carcinogenicity (NTP, IARC monographs, OSHA regulated), signs and
symptoms of exposure, medical conditions generally aggravated by
exposure, emergency and first aid procedures.
- 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 or storage,
other precautions.
- Section VIII. Control Measures
Respiratory
protection (specify type), ventilation (local, mechanical exhaust,
special or other), protective gloves, eye protection, other
protective clothing or equipment, work/hygienic practices.
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MSDS's were initially written for health and safety personnel so the
information is quite technical. No standard format was required for
MSDS's so presentation of the information can differ from one manufacturer
to another for the same chemical. Reading an MSDS can seem somewhat
overwhelming initially but with a little experience it gets easier.
The following are suggestions from personal experience for looking up
information most often needed from an MSDS - this information is not
intended to be all inclusive - MSDS's should be read in their entirety
before working with any chemical. Resources for more detailed
information on reading an MSDS are - your instructor, the stockroom
manager, the Chem Lab manager and the EH&S department - see contact
and reference information below.
- Sect. 1 - Locate the name of the chemical - double check that
you are looking at the correct MSDS for that chemical by
verifying the molecular formula and the CAS #.
- Sect. 2 - Describes the hazardous ingredients which comprise ≥
1% of the chemical.
- Sect. 3 - Provides physical properties such as boiling point,
specific gravity, freezing and melting point, appearance and odor.
- Sect. 4 - Describes fire and explosion data such as flash point,
explosive limits, fire fighting procedures and extinguishing
agents.
- Sect. 5 - Provides known health hazards such as animal toxicity
data, effects of exposure and emergency and first aid procedures.
- Sect. 6 - Provides reactivity data such as stability,
incompatibilities, and hazardous decomposition products.
- Sect. 7 - Gives environmental information - spill and leak
procedures and waste disposal.
- Sect. 8 - Provides PPE information - ventilation requirements,
protective gloves, and eye and face protection needed.
- Sect. 9 - Lists handling and storage precautions.
- Sect. 10 - Miscellaneous info - transportation info, comments,
warnings.
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| Name |
Position |
Room |
Phone |
Email |
| Tony Brown |
Stockroom Manager |
Sci Rm 303 |
(509) 963-1303 |
browna@cwu.edu |
| Cynthia Kuhlken |
Lab Manager |
Sci Rm 303 |
(509) 963-1307 |
kuhlkenc@cwu.edu |
| Pam Coppersmith |
Industrial Hygienist |
Campus Safety Building |
(509) 963-2338 |
coppersp@cwu.edu |
| Ron Munson |
campus EH&S Officer |
Campus Safety Building |
(509) 963-2252 |
munsonr@cwu.edu |
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Hard copies of MSDS's for all chemicals in the Chemistry
department are located in the Chemistry stockroom
(Sci 303), in each research lab for lab specific
chemicals, and at the MSDS Workstation in the hall
outside Sci 311. For a copy of the MSDS - take the
appropriate binder to the Chem office (Sci 302)
and the secretary will make a copy. Do not
remove the MSDS from the binder.
Various MSDS search methodologies
links.
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