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MSDS Preparation – A Brief

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that informs users of potential hazards (environmental, health, fire etc.) and describes how to work safely with a chemical product.

Author: Editor123

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The document also contains information regarding emergency procedures and possible hazards of the product as well as how to use, store and handle it. The MSDS sheet discloses more detailed information than the product label. The intent of a MSDS is to communicate how to safely use the product, how to handle an accident should it occur, and how to recognize signs of overexposure.

Many MSDS documents will appear different because only a select amount of disclosed information is specified by law. The design of the document is left up to the company who writes the MSDS. Some companies may choose to include more that the required amount of information. Also, MSDS documents usually need to be updated every 3-5 years depending on the specific country rules and regulations. However, if significant new information is revealed before the MSDS renewal period the supplier is required to provide an updated MSDS and label.

In Canada, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) regulations specify requirements for a 9-section MSDS form. These sections include: hazardous ingredients, preparation information, production, physical data, fire or explosion, reactivity data, toxicological properties, preventive measures and first aid measures.

In the United States of America, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard states specific information that needs to be incorporated on the MSDS. However, since OSHA does not require a specific document format to be met the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends the following 16-section MSDS to be included within the document: identification, hazard(s) identification, composition/information on ingredients, first-aid measures, fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls/personal protection, physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicological information, ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, regulatory information and other information.

Typical information found on a MSDS consists of: hazardous ingredients; the contact information for the company who prepared the MSDS, the manufacturer and the supplier; physical data; fire and explosion hazards; reactivity data; toxicological properties; preventive measures and first aid measures.

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For further information on GHS and MSDS please visit http://www.nexreg.com/.

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