Material Safety Data Sheets

1. Material Safety Data Sheets Foundation of Chemical Hazard Communication

2. 29 CFR, Part 1910.1200(a) • Purpose • …to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of, comprehensive hazard communication programs which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets and employee training.

3. Hazard Communication • Hazard communication requirements: • MSDSs readily accessible • Container labeling • Employee training • Methods & observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical • Physical & health hazards of the chemicals in work area • Measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards • Details of the hazard communication program

4. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) • Primary source of chemical information • Required by OSHA • Obtained from vendors, distributors, manufacturers • Stored electronically in Laserfiche • Link is in lower right hand corner of screen in VO • Format of MSDSs vary • MSDSs are often incomplete and occasionally have errors

5. You Can Lead a Horse to Water, but… • MSDSs must be readily accessible, but there’s nothing that says employees have to read them. • In my opinion, most employees do not read MSDSs. • They usually rely on other sources of information • Initial job/HAZCOM training • Standard operating procedures

6. Reasons why someone might not read MSDSs • Like many other things, it’s something we don’t do unless there’s a problem (like Dr. visits) • Access to the MSDSs might not be quick & easy • Many terms on MSDS may not be readily known by the average worker, so it’s difficult to understand or interpret • Are MSDSs in a language the employee understands? • Some workers might assume the company has figured it all out and has implemented the necessary precautions in the job procedures.

7. Reviewing an MSDS • Explain the importance of knowing the properties of the chemicals with which they work • Having an MSDS dictionary available to them might help • A link to an online MSDS dictionary for terms and definitions • http://www.msdssearch.com/DictionaryN.htm • Definitions also in 29 CFR, Part 1910.1200(c) • Maybe the best thing we can do is use MSDS information to incorporate chemical safety into required work procedures and train employees. • Be prepared to answer their questions

8. The Anatomy of an MSDS • Common Sections: • Product Identification • Hazardous Ingredients • Physical Characteristics • Fire and Explosion Data • Chemical Reactivity • Health Hazard Data • Spill, Leak and Disposal Procedures • Special Protection Data (PPE) • Special Handling Instructions/Precautions • Other Regulatory Information

9. Hazardous Ingredients • Identifies the hazardous components of chemical. • Lists % of product by weight of each haz. ingredient. • Identifies established exposure limits. • OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL-TWA, PEL-STEL, PEL-C) • ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV-TWA, TLV-STEL, TLV-C) • AIHA Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit (WEEL) • Mfr. Exposure Guideline

10. Toxicity Versus Hazard • Hazardous material – substance having properties capable of producing adverse health effects on the health or safety of a human. • Hazard - the probability that a toxic material will actually cause harm, which is a function of the quantity used and the manner in which it is used. • Toxicity – a material’s inherent capacity to injure biological tissue. • EVERYTHING is toxic at some dose. Even water! If someone drinks too much water at any one time, it can cause death.

11. Physical Characteristics • Vapor Pressure (V.P.) • Important in determining how readily the material becomes a vapor. Reported in mm of Hg at 20o C (68o F) • VP of water is 17.5 mmHg @ 20o C • At a VP of ~760 mmHg, a material vaporizes quickly (boils) • pH • Identifies acidic or basic nature of a chemical. • Acid 0 7 14 Base • Solubility • Identifies how much will dissolve in water @ ambient temperature. • Important in determining clean-up procedures. • Odor • Odors can result in employee complaints and illness.

12. Physical Characteristics (cont.) • Evaporation rate – compared to butyl acetate (1.0) • Fast if > 3.0, Slow if < 0.8 • Water= 0.3, slow • Acetone = 5.6, fast • Vapor Density compared to air (1.0)

13. Fire & Explosion Data • NFPA Ratings • Flammability Range (LEL, UEL) • Flash Point • Autoignition Temperature

14. Chemical Reactivity • Identifies if the material is stable. • Identifies other chemicals with which the material may be incompatible. • Identifies potential decomposition products. • Conditions to avoid (always good to know) • Hazardous polymerization – when polymerization occurs at a rate that releases a large amount of energy (fire, explosion, container rupture)

15. Health Hazard Data • Identifies health effects associated with exposure to the material. • Identifies if the material is a carcinogen. • Identifies if the material has known reproductive effects. • Identifies if the materials is a sensitizer. • LD50, LC50 – lethal dose or lethal concentration at which 50% of the test group died • Emergency & First Aid (sometimes has its own section)

16. Spill, Leak & Disposal Procedures • How to respond to a spill • Clean up procedures • Disposal procedures • EPA regulations • RCRA • SARA • Reportable Quantities

17. Special Protection Data • Identifies the recommended level of ventilation when using the material. • Dilution ventilation • Local exhaust • Identifies the recommended personal protective equipment when using the material. • Face shield • Respirator (what type?) • Chemical protective gloves (specific to the chemical)

18. Special Precautions & Comments • Storage Requirements • Engineering Controls • Dept. of Transportation (DOT) Information • NFPA or HMIS Ratings listed here sometimes

19. If you have questions on MSDS • Resources • Corporate Environmental • Division Safety • Manufacturer of Material

20. Questions?Comments?