Material Safety Data Sheets

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

2. 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 F5 • This product, used as an example, is a commercial cleaning product containing some hazardous chemicals

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

4. 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%

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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.

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

10. 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 whatsortof 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

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

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

13. 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 pH! (but not in normal use)

14. What do MSDSs contain? • Toxicological information (what nasty things will it do to you?) • 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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”.

19. Risk phrases - examples • R1: Explosive when dry • R2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition • R3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition • R4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds • R5: Heating may cause an explosion • R6: Explosive with or without contact with air • R7: May cause fire • R8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire • R9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material • R10: Flammable • R11: Highly flammable • R12: Extremely flammable • R14: Reacts violently with water • R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases • R20: Harmful by inhalation • R21: Harmful in contact with skin • R22: Harmful if swallowed • R23: Toxic by inhalation • R24: Toxic in contact with skin • R25: Toxic if swallowed • R26: Very toxic by inhalation • R27: Very toxic in contact with skin • R28: Very toxic if swallowed • R29: Contact with water liberates toxic gas. • R30: Can become highly flammable in use • R31: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas • R32: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas • Up to: - • R66: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking • R67: Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness • R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects

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

21. 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! • Not all MSDS’s contain comprehensive. information, although they should have! • If in doubt, always consult an expert.