Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS what you need

Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS – what you need to know about them

Preparation: Before you go any further, it would be helpful to download: ◦ Data sheet (click here) – to view the data sheet you will need to be in slide show, press F 5 ◦ This product, used as an example, is a commercial cleaning product containing some hazardous chemicals

What do MSDSs contain? Identification Teepol of the product Aluminium Cleaner ◦ - sales unit and stock code ◦ - address and contact details for the supplier

What do MSDSs contain? Composition/ information on ingredients. (Exact formulations & details of non-hazardous components not required – protects from rival manufacturers) CAS & EINECS are identifications codes Risk phrases (from CHIP data- see later) Alcohol Ethoxylate <1% Phosphoric acid 15 – 30% Benzotriazole <1% Formaldehyde <1%

What do MSDSs contain? Hazards identified (i. e. those known about when the product is used in the way the manufacturer intends) Irritating to eye and skin Large amounts could be hazardous to aquatic environment

What do MSDSs contain? First aid measures ◦ Eyes - irrigate with water 10 -15 minutes ◦ Skin – remove gloves and wash ◦ Ingestions – plenty of water to drink (This is incorrect - should be small sips!!) ◦ Inhalation- remove to fresh air Always check out first aid information with your Departmental First Aider or Safety Services

What do MSDSs contain? Fire fighting measures The material is non-flammable If involved in a fire anyway, it may produce hydrogen chloride (an acid gas) Breathing apparatus is relevant to the Fire Service – not us!

What do MSDSs contain? Measures for spillage or accidental release Spillage ◦ contain with sand or earth ◦ Beware of slipping hazard ◦ Do not allow to go down the drains (report any significant leakage down the drains to the water authorities – take advice) You will need to ensure that your department stocks appropriate materials to deal with these incidents.

What do MSDSs contain? Handling and storage Store away from food Tightly closed containers Away from children At temperatures between Shelf life 1 year In 5 o. C & 30 o. C this case, largely “common sense” information but for some products it could be more critical

What do MSDSs contain? Exposure controls &/or personal protective equipment (PPE) ◦ These are standard safety signs denoting the need to wear gloves, face shield and protective clothing. ◦ NB It does not tell you what sort of gloves are appropriate. You would need to find this out by consulting a gloves manufacturer regarding the hazardous materials in the product – see the “Guidance” section of Safety Services website

What do MSDSs contain? Physical & Chemical Properties ◦ Appearance – what it looks like ◦ p. H – acidity/alkalinity of the product – a p. H of <1 denotes significant acidity ◦ Flash point – it is not flammable ◦ Density (>1 means it is more dense than water)

In terms of hazard, both high p. Hs (strong alkali) and low p. Hs (strong acid) are nasty. For substances with p. Hs around 7 acidity & alkalinity are not generally a problem.

What do MSDSs contain? Stability & reactivity No stability concerns – it won’t “go off” Avoid contact with strong oxidisers, chlorine & chlorine products – nasty gases possible Contact with some alloys may produce hydrogen – explosion potential because of low p. H! (but not in normal use)

What do MSDSs contain? Toxicological will it do to you? ) information (what nasty things Irritating to organic tissue (skin & eyes) Inhalation of aerosol may cause irritation Ingestion – irritation to mouth & digestive tract (it’s a strong acid) Eye contact – may cause severe irritation (acid again!) Skin contact – irritation! Connected with first aid information here, but in some circumstances, may give details of longer term medical problems, where appropriate

What do MSDSs contain? Ecological information How environmentally friendly is it? ◦ Biodegrades – does not remain in soil etc ◦ Don’t release into surface waters eg detergents can cause unsightly rivers and may affect waterproofing of water birds

What do MSDSs contain? Disposal considerations ◦ Use suitable PPE (see previous information) ◦ Rinse out containers ◦ Don’t allow to enter drains ◦ Dispose of according to local regulations ◦ Do not mix with other waste This is not as formidable as it sounds – a bit of advice from Safety Services or Estates will help

What do MSDSs contain? Transport information ◦ None ◦ Where substances need special consideration for transport, it will be detailed here – usually only applicable to larger quantities

What do MSDSs contain? Regulatory information ◦ Irritant to eyes and skin ◦ Keep away from children ◦ First aid information ◦ These are “risk phrases” associated with the CHIP regulations – simple advice phrases ◦ There may also be symbols – as here , indicating “irritant”.

Risk phrases - examples R 1: Explosive when dry R 2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition R 3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition R 4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds R 5: Heating may cause an explosion R 6: Explosive with or without contact with air R 7: May cause fire R 8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire R 9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material R 10: Flammable R 11: Highly flammable R 12: Extremely flammable R 14: Reacts violently with water R 15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases R 20: Harmful by inhalation R 21: Harmful in contact with skin R 22: Harmful if swallowed R 23: Toxic by inhalation R 24: Toxic in contact with skin R 25: Toxic if swallowed R 26: Very toxic by inhalation R 27: Very toxic in contact with skin R 28: Very toxic if swallowed R 29: Contact with water liberates toxic gas. R 30: Can become highly flammable in use R 31: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas R 32: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas Up to: R 66: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking R 67: Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness R 68: Possible risk of irreversible effects

What do MSDSs contain? Other In information (variable) this case it tells you its immediate application and how to use it

REMEMBER MSDS’s are NOT Risk Assessments! They make no distinction between a gram and a tonne of a substance. When using substances you must carry out a risk assessment but use the information in MDSD’s to help you. Controls should be proportional to risk! risk Not all MSDS’s contain comprehensive. information, although they should have! If in doubt, always consult an expert.