Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are standardised forms that detail the physical and chemical properties, safety information and health warnings relating to potentially hazardous substances. They are frequently used by workers who are required to handle and store such materials, and by emergency personnel in the event of an accident involving such a substance.
The sheets are used to ensure that these materials are handled and stored safely, and are generally an occupational health and safety requirement in workplaces that require employees to handle hazardous materials or substances (laboratories, for example). As such, they generally include the following information:
- Generic and chemical names of the substance
- Generic and chemical names of the ingredients
- Name of the manufacturer and/or importer, as well as a local contact phone number and address
- Protective equipment to be used when handling the material, such as goggles, gloves, respirator or a laboratory coat
- Engineering controls, such as enclosures and exhaust ventilation
- Stability and reactivity when exposed to heat, moisture, light, oxygen or other chemicals
- Potential chronic and acute health effects (e.g. carcinogenicity, respiratory problems, contact abrasion, irritation)
- Toxicity of both the substance and its separate ingredients, including toxicology data for bacteria, humans and other animals
- Outline of the first aid procedures to be followed if contact is made with the eyes or skin, or if the substance is inhaled or ingested
- Storage (including temperature range and light exposure) and disposal instructions
- Small and large spill procedures
- Physical data such as melting, boiling and flash points, odor, taste, colour, physical state and appearance, molecular weight, solubility and volatility
- Fire and explosion data, including flammability, products of combustion, auto-ignition temperatures and explosion hazards, along with the procedures to follow in the event of a fire
In some jurisdictions it is also necessary to state region-specific reference numbers, environmental impacts and more detailed safety information.
As the information included does vary between jurisdictions, it is important to only use an MSDS that is specific to both the manufacturer or supplier and the country. This is particularly important for substances that vary in composition depending on the place of manufacture, as well as those that have different generic names depending on the country in which they are sold.
It is also necessary to review the MSDS whenever there is a change made to the substance that may alter its physical or chemical properties and the related health and safety risks. This also applies to substances that were previously thought to be innocuous that have since been shown to be hazardous. Regardless of of any changes, MSDS should be reviewed and updated every three to five years at a minimum, although the legal requirements pertaining to this may also vary.
It is important that employees and emergency personnel are able to easily access the sheets, which may be provided by the employer as either an electronic resource or as a physical copy. Ideally, the MSDS should be kept close to where the substance is being used to ensure that it can be accessed quickly if required. It is also necessary to label all containers that are used to store hazardous substances with a name that corresponds to the MSDS for that material. Labels should be updated along with the MSDS if any change to the substance name is made. All employees should receive appropriate training with regards to reading and interpreting MSDS.
The manufacturer of the substance will usually be required to provide material safety data sheets for an employer. It some cases, the supplier or retailer of the produce may also be able to provide this information. Regulations regarding the distribution of MSDS again vary depending on the jurisdiction.