Material Safety Data Sheets

Occupational Health & Safety
Practitioner
Reading
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
January 2006
®
Contents
OVERVIEW .....................................................................................................................1
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................2
SECTION 2: OBTAIN CORRECT MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) ...........4
SECTION 3: COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS..........................................................6
SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION SECTION.....................................................................7
SECTION 5: HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION ........................................................13
SECTION 6: PRECAUTIONS FOR USE .....................................................................16
SECTION 7: SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION .........................................................20
SECTION 8: OTHER INFORMATION..........................................................................21
REFERENCES & FURTHER READING.......................................................................22
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – RECOMMENDED FORMAT……………………23

Published by WorkSafe,
Department of Consumer and
Employment Protection,
PO Box 294, WEST PERTH WA 6872.
Tel: Toll Free 1300 307 877.
Email: institute@worksafe.wa.gov.au
The SafetyLine Institute material has been prepared

and published as part of Western Australia’s
contribution to the National Occupational Health and
® Safety Skills Development Action Plan.
www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/institute
© 2006 State of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
Details of copyright conditions are provided at the SafetyLine Institute website.
Before using this publication, note should be taken of the Disclaimer, which is published at the
SafetyLine Institute website.
READING – MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
OVERVIEW
This reading takes you through all the sections of a material safety
data sheet (MSDS) and provides you with full details to enable you
to use one to obtain relevant safe use information.
Objectives
After reading this information you should be able to:
• outline the general format and content of material safety data

sheets (MSDS); and
• be able to use one to obtain relevant safe use information.
Author
Gary Gleeson
B.A., Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety,
A.F.A.H.R.I, M.S.I.A, M.A.A.H.P.P
JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 1

Section 1: INTRODUCTION
Glossary of terms
When they are first used, glossary terms are indicated with an
asterisk (*). Make sure that you are familiar with the Glossary of
terms before going any further.
Carcinogenicity A carcinogen is any agent that causes

cancer. Chemical carcinogens include
benzpyrene, aflatoxin B1 (produced by
certain moulds growing on foodstuffs), and
mustard gas (sulphur mustard) used in
World War 1 to gas troops. Ultra violet
light and other ionising radiation (such as
X-rays) are also carcinogens. Ultra violet
light can cause skin cancer while high
doses of X-rays can cause leukaemia and
other cancers. Most, possibly all,
carcinogens are also mutagens. (The
McMillan Dictionary of Life Sciences (2nd
ed., 1983 pp. 52-3).
Chemical Unique identifiers for pure chemicals.

Abstracts Service
numbers (CAS
numbers)
LC50 The lethal concentration of a substance

that kills 50% of a test population, usually
animals like rats or mice.
LD50 The lethal dose of a substance that kills

50% of a test population, usually animals
like rats or mice.
Mutagenicity A mutagen is any agent capable of

causing a mutation or increasing the rate
of mutation. Chemical mutagens cause
chemical changes in DNA molecules
leading to either changing of a base pair or
addition or deletion of a base pair. (The
McMillan Dictionary of Life Sciences 2nd
ed., 1983 p.240).
PAGE 2 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

Teratogenicity A teratogen is an agent that damages or

interferes with the normal development of
unborn young. An example is thalidomide,
a drug formerly prescribed to prevent
nausea during pregnancy. It was found to
prevent development of the limbs of the
foetus. X-rays, which cause chromosome
damage, are also teratogenic (The
McMillan Dictionary of Life Sciences (2nd
ed., 1983 p. 364).
Toxicity Is a property of matter. It is a biological

property, as mass is a physical property. It
is also an extrinsic property, as it is a
function of the amount of material. Toxicity
is the ability of a material to injure an
organism by other than mechanical
means.
Type I ingredients A Type I ingredient is an ingredient which

is present in a quantity which exceeds the
lowest relevant concentration cut-off level
specified for the hazards classification in
the Approved Criteria for Classifying
Hazardous Substances [NOHSC] and is
described in the Approved Criteria for
Classifying Hazardous Substances as
carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, a
skin or respiratory sensitiser, corrosive or
very corrosive, toxic or very toxic, a
harmful substance which can cause
irreversible effects after acute exposure, or
a harmful substance which can cause
serious damage to health after repeated or
prolonged exposure; or has an exposure
standard listed in the National Exposure
Standards [NOHSC].
Type II ingredients A Type II ingredient is an ingredient that:

is present in a quantity which exceeds the
lowest relevant concentration cut-off level
specified for the hazard classification in
the Approved Criteria for Classifying
Hazardous Substances [NOHSC]; and
is described in the Approved Criteria for
Classifying Hazardous Substances as a
harmful substance but which does not
meet the criteria for a type I ingredient.
Type III ingredients A Type III ingredient is an ingredient which

does not meet the criteria for either a Type
I ingredient or a Type II ingredient.

Section 2: OBTAIN CORRECT MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA SHEET (MSDS)
Introduction
Many people are exposed to all sorts of chemicals in their work.
But what tells you what risk, if any, these substances represent?
The answer is the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
KEY POINT
An MSDS contains information on a particular
substance, including its uses, physical and The information in an
chemical properties, health effects, precautions for MSDS is used to help
determine the risk and the
use, safe handling requirements, and first aid and controls necessary when
emergency procedures. The information in an using the substance.
MSDS helps users of the substance to:
• know how dangerous the product is;

• assess the risk associated with the handling of the product;
and
• develop the controls needed to minimise that risk.
Anyone who manufactures or imports a hazardous substance for

use at a workplace must prepare and keep up to date its MSDS
and ensure it is available before the hazardous substance is
supplied to the workplace. MSDSs must be compiled in
accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Preparation
of Material Safety Data Sheets [NOHSC].
Users should obtain the MSDS from the manufacturer or supplier

before the substance is brought into the workplace, so that they
can use the information about the hazardous substance to assess
the risk and so be fully prepared.
The MSDS details should be checked against the label on the

container of the substance to make sure the correct MSDS has
been obtained. The supplier is required by law to have the
container properly labelled. For further information on correct
labelling see the National Code of Practice for the Labelling of
Workplace Substances [NOHSC]

2.1 Reading a material safety data

sheet
The MSDS includes the following, in accordance with the National
Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data
Sheets, and the rest of this reading will explain the key information
using these headings.
• Identification of the material and supplier

• Hazards 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
At the end of the reading a checklist outlines the necessary

information to prepare the 16-header MSDS format required under
workplace hazardous substances and Dangerous Goods
legislation. A copy of the checklist can be downloaded from
www.nohsc.gov.au

Section 3: COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS
The MSDS should clearly identify the Australian organisation that

manufactured or imported the substance. There should also be an
emergency telephone number to call in case of an incident such as
a spill, fire or exposed person, for example:
In 1996 two sea

containers full of 25 kg
bags of acrylamide
spontaneously caught
fire.
The by-products of the

fire created a toxic
plume that threatened
neighbouring
workplaces and
residences. The
MSDS allowed immediate contact with the importer who could
provide additional information to the emergency services direct
from the manufacturer in the USA. A strategy to combat the fires
was formulated based on relevant information from the experts
working for the manufacturer. Without the emergency contact on
the MSDS the emergency services might not have received the
combat information and expert advice as quickly and the incident
may not have been handled as well as it was.

Section 4: IDENTIFICATION SECTION
The name of the product should appear here exactly as that on the
product's container label. The MSDS should also list alternative
names that the product is known by and any manufacturing codes.
This helps you ensure that the MSDS matches the substance you
intend to use.
4.1 Look for hazard KEY POINT
statement If the product is hazardous,

the identification section
There should be a statement as to whether the will have a clear statement
saying so.
product is hazardous according to the criteria of
the Australian Safety and Compensation
Council.
4.2 Recommended uses

The major recommended use(s) and method(s) of application
should also be listed in descending order of
KEY POINT
importance. A statement of the manufacturer's
intended uses of a product is important. This is Always look for the
because inappropriate use or application can lead manufacturer's intended
uses of the product and
to increased risk to health or a disaster. The make sure you only use it
precautions for use and recommended personal in those ways because if
protective equipment and clothing that are found in not used in the right way
there could be high risks to
later sections of an MSDS are based on the safety and health.
intended uses and methods of application.

4.3 Hazchem codes

You will also find a series of codes from different classification
systems. They provide a quick means of identification of the
hazard presented by the substance and the response required in
an emergency involving that substance. Of particular importance is
the Hazchem Code. This provides information to emergency
personnel about the steps they need to take immediately on arrival
at the scene of an incident involving a
hazardous substance. An example of a Hazchem Code is:
2WE
• the number (1, 2, 3 or 4) indicates what fire fighting medium

should be used (water, fog, foam, dry powder);
• the first letter indicates what personal protective equipment and
in particular what type of respirator the firefighters should wear;
and
• the "E" indicates evacuation of surrounding areas might be
necessary.
4.4 Dangerous goods codes & U.N

numbers
Dangerous Goods Classes and Subsidiary Risk as shown in the
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods KEY POINT
by Road and Rail are included in the MSDS. Pay
particular attention to these if you are involved in Some hazardous
substances are not
transporting the substance.
Dangerous Goods, and
The Dangerous Goods Class identifies the public vice versa. Dangerous
safety hazard presented by the substance. Goods are those
substances that present a
public safety hazard during
Please note that there are some hazardous transportation.
substances that are not Dangerous Goods, and vice
versa.

Dangerous Goods Classes (Classes 1 to 9) are associated with

coloured diamonds as shown below:
United Nation numbers (UN numbers) are listed in this section for
the benefit of emergency services. These are internationally
recognised numbers that identify the type of product. These
numbers link the product to Dangerous Goods Classes and
Hazchem Codes.

4.5 Physical description and

properties
The Physical Description and Properties subsection tells you what
the product looks and smells like. This information can be used to
double-check the identity of the product. If the colour, smell or
appearance does not match the description, then the product may
not be what the label says.
This subsection also provides information on various properties of

the substance, including:
KEY POINT
• Boiling/melting point
Check the colour, smell or
• Vapour pressure appearance of the
substance, to see if it
• Flashpoint matches the description in
• Flammability limits the Physical Description
and Properties section. If it
• Water solubility does not, then the product
may not be what the label
• Specific gravity says.
• pH (acidity, alkalinity or neutrality)
Experts use these properties to estimate exposure levels and

design controls for normal use and emergency situations.
4.6 Ingredients
Under the sub heading of Ingredients you may find the chemical
names of any hazardous ingredients and the proportion of the
product it constitutes.

Type I ingredients
A Type I* ingredient is an ingredient which is present in a quantity
which exceeds the lowest relevant concentration cut-off level
specified for the hazards classification in the Approved Criteria for
Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC] and:
• is described in the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous

Substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, a skin or
respiratory sensitiser, corrosive or very corrosive, toxic or very
toxic, a harmful substance which can cause irreversible effects
after acute exposure, or a harmful substance which can cause
serious damage to health after repeated or prolonged
exposure; or
• has an exposure standard listed in the National Exposure
Standards [NOHSC].
Type II ingredients
A Type II* ingredient is an ingredient that:
• is present in a quantity which exceeds the lowest relevant

concentration cut-off level specified for the hazard classification
in the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances
[NOHSC]; and
• is described in the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous
Substances as a harmful substance but which does not meet
the criteria for a Type I ingredient.
Type III ingredients

A Type III* ingredient is an ingredient which does not meet the
criteria for either a type I ingredient or a type II ingredient.
Type I ingredients must have their names stated, Chemical

Abstracts Service numbers (CAS numbers) and concentration.
The exact chemical name of some Type II hazardous substances

might not have to be shown.
Type III ingredients may be listed in generic terms.

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers

CAS numbers are the unique identifiers for pure chemicals. The
Chemical Abstracts Service numbers (CAS numbers) should be
listed against the relevant ingredients. For example:
Ingredient CAS no. Content (%)
Toluene [108-88-3] 25
Methylethylketone [78-93-3] 25
(MEK)
[110-80-5] 25
Glycol ether
25
Non-hazardous
ingredients
"Glycol ether" is a generic name and represents a "family" of

chemicals. However, the CAS number of 110-80-5 identifies it as
ethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The generic name with no CAS
number can be used for chemicals if they are classified as no
worse than harmful (Type II hazardous substance) and the
manufacturer is claiming commercial confidentiality.
If the exact amount of each ingredient cannot be specified then

approximations may be used. These are:
<10%, 10 - <30%, 30 - 60%, >60%
The quantity of each hazardous ingredient in a product provides

valuable information on the risks involved when the product is
used or handled. For example, exposure to >50% hydrofluoric acid
is considered to be immediately life threatening, whereas
exposure to <50% hydrofluoric acid is not.

Section 5: HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
5.1 Health effects

The MSDS outlines any short (acute) or long-term (chronic) health
effects that may result from exposure to the product. It should state
the symptoms associated with varying degrees of exposure, from
least to most severe.
Routes of Exposure
The MSDS will also give the routes of exposure for harmful effects.
How does the substance get into the body in a way that is
harmful? In the workplace, the most likely routes of entry are:
• inhalation (breathing the substance into the lungs);

• skin absorption; and
• direct ingestion (swallowing).
Physical contact with a substance may also have harmful effects.

Examples include dermatitis, corrosion, chemical sensitisation and
eye damage.
The health effects and symptoms should be detailed for each route
of exposure. Some chemicals can get into the body by more than
one route as well as possibly having a contact effect, and products
containing one or more hazardous ingredients might exert health
effects by more than one route of exposure.
Further information on routes of exposure and toxicology can be

found in the reading titled Introduction to Toxicology.

Precautions for Use

Once you have determined the possible routes of exposure that
may result in harm to people, consider the controls that are
needed to prevent exposure by these routes. See the Precautions
for Use section of the MSDS for full details. For example:
• If a product has hazardous ingredients that can be absorbed

through the skin, then the precautions for use will recommend
to avoid skin contact and may recommend gloves, an apron,
long sleeves, trousers, boots and even head covering.
• If a product has hazardous ingredients that can be absorbed
through the lungs, then the precautions for use will recommend
avoiding inhalation of the airborne product and may
recommend controls such as natural ventilation, forced
ventilation, no spraying to eliminate misting, and various
degrees of respiratory protection.
Chronic exposure to some substances can lead to

carcinogenicity*, mutagenicity*, teratogenicity*, effects on the brain
and diseases of the liver and kidneys.
5.2 First aid

Under the First Aid section of the MSDS you will find details of
immediate action to be taken to minimise harm and stabilise the
victim until treatment from qualified persons can be obtained. This
subsection should be read carefully and first aid officers at the
workplace should be familiar with what it says. Look for the phrase
"Urgently seek medical assistance" which indicates exposure by
the route indicated is extremely serious and requires emergency
action.
This section will normally be divided into KEY POINT

subheadings based on the routes of The First Aid section of the
exposure: MSDS provides important
information for workplace
first aid officers.
• Eyes Circumstances requiring
• Skin emergency action are
indicated by key phrases
• Inhalation such as "urgently seek
medical assistance" and
• Ingestion
are vital to know.

5.3 Advice to doctor

The Advice to Doctor subsection is extremely useful in the event
that a person is exposed to the substance. It is worded in medical
terminology that you may not be able to
understand but a doctor KEY POINT
will. It will enable the doctor to In emergencies, send the
commence the correct treatment MSDS with the victim so
immediately the patient presents. It is the doctor knows exactly
what treatment to give.
therefore critical that the MSDS is sent
to the doctor with the victim.
It is important that any special materials required (eg. antidotes)

are obtained and kept current. A good example of this is calcium
gluconate gel which is the
common neutralising agent
for skin exposure to
hydrofluoric acid. There
have been many cases of
hydrofluoric acid burns
where the victim has
recovered quickly and
suffered no long-term
effects because of prompt
treatment with calcium
gluconate gel.
However, there was one

instance where a laboratory
worker spilt half a cup of
concentrated hydrofluoric
acid on his leg and the
workplace had no calcium gluconate gel. The worker suffered
severe burns and died twelve days later due to fluoride poisoning
(for more detail, see the case study on this incident).

Section 6: PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
6.1 Exposure standards

In the MSDS you will find an Exposure Standard for the substance
or Exposure Standards for relevant ingredients.
Exposure Standards are largely based upon the TLVs®

determined by the American Conference of Government Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH). They represent airborne concentrations of
individual chemical substances which, according to current
knowledge, should neither impair health nor cause undue
discomfort to nearly all workers. Additionally, the exposure
standards are believed to guard against narcosis or irritation,
which could precipitate an industrial accident.
Exposure Standards should not be used as cut off concentrations

to determine what is and is not a safe atmosphere. Exposure
Standards are to be used to indicate when exposure is getting out
of control and a new assessment of the process should be
performed. There are three types of Exposure Standards:
• Time weighted average (TWA) - the measurements are

averaged over an eight hour shift.
• Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) - the measurements are
averaged over a short period, typically 15 minutes.
• Peak - this is a maximum concentration to which workers may
be exposed at any time.
Not all substances have been assigned an Exposure Standard and

therefore many hazardous substances do not have one, so the
existence or non-existence of an Exposure Standard does not
necessarily indicate that a substance is hazardous or not.
For further information on Exposure Standards please see the

National Occupational Safety and Health Commission Guidance
Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric
Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:3008
(1995)].

6.2 Engineering KEY POINT
controls It is important to
understand that any
Before handling or opening any engineering controls,
especially exhaust
container, ensure any specified ventilation, are only
engineering controls (especially exhaust effective when the
ventilation systems) are in place and substance is used in a
particular way.
operating. The requirement for
engineering controls will vary according to the process and
potential exposure.
It is important to note that the recommended engineering controls

will only be valid for the recommended uses and/or methods of
application.
6.3 Personal
protection
Before handling or opening
any container, obtain and
use any necessary
personal protective
equipment and clothing
(PPE/C). Ensure that the
PPE/C used is exactly as
specified and is constructed
to the relevant Australian or
Australian/New Zealand
standard. For example, if
the MSDS specifies gloves
made of a specific
material (eg. nitrile)
no other sort of
glove should be
used.
The PPE/C required

would depend on
how the product is
used.

Different methods of application could mean different levels of

PPE/C. For example, the application of solvent based paint can be
done in different ways and in different
circumstances. If the KEY POINT
paint is applied by brush to a wall in the open air,
then a respirator might not be necessary. On the The specific personal
protective equipment and
other hand, if the paint is applied to the wall by clothing required depend
spraying, then a half-face mask with combination on how the substance is
particulate and organics filters will be necessary. In used and in what
environment.
the extreme, if the paint is applied in a poorly
ventilated area then a full face or even air-supplied respirator may
be necessary.
A man had to be rescued after collapsing inside the tank shown

below. The only opening was a hatch in the top. He was applying a
solvent-based paint by brush to the inside wall. He was wearing a
full-face mask with an organics filters. The atmospheric
concentration of solvents inside the tank became high enough to
cause breakthrough of the filters and he inhaled excessive
quantities of solvent vapours. He did not have any information,
including the MSDS, to tell him that greater protection was
required against the solvent vapour build up inside the enclosed
space.
Tank in which a man

collapsed while applying
a solvent-based paint by
brush to the inside wall,
even though he was
wearing a full-face mask
with an organics filters.

Full face mask without

filter attached.
6.4 Flammability
Study the subsection on flammability carefully. This will state what
steps are needed to prevent the risk of fire or explosion when
using the substance. Ensure that it is followed carefully.
An investigator
inspects a pallet of
hydrofluoric acid
after a factory fire.
Determine the upper and lower "explosive" or "flammability" limits.

These indicate the range of concentrations of a flammable vapour
in air at which a flame can be propagated or an explosion will
occur, if a source of ignition is present. Information is given on the
requirements for:
• Ventilation of storage areas to avoid the build up of flammable

concentrations.
• Separating the product from ignition sources.
• Earthing of containers especially when transferring liquids from
one container to another. The flow of some liquids can
generate static electricity. This electricity can discharge with an
electric spark. Earthing eliminates a possible ignition source by
preventing the build up of a static electric charge.

Section 7: SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
7.1 Storage and transport

In the MSDS you will find the requirements for safe Storage and
Transport of the product, including details of:
• siting and construction of the store;

• fire separation distances;
• type of building; and
• security required.
Subjects such as ventilation, temperature, protection from weather

and storage incompatibilities are also covered here. Storage
incompatibilities are especially important and can be found in the
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road
and Rail. If incompatibles mix, for example, flammables and
oxidising agents, there could be a fire or explosion.
The case involving acrylamide is an example where the

information from the MSDS might have prevented the emergency.
The MSDS recommended that the product be stored out of the sun
as it can auto-ignite if extremely hot (approximately 75°C). The
containers of acrylamide were actually stored in the sun when the
daytime temperature reached in excess of 40°C and the internal
temperature of the containers became much higher causing a fire.
7.2 Spills and disposal

You will also find emergency handling information under the
subheading of Spills and Disposal. There should be separate
recommendations for large and small spills. Disposal method,
containers and special precautions are also in this section.
The MSDS often refers you to a local KEY POINT

authority for disposal of a waste product.
It is also important to be
This is because disposal sites and
familiar with the emergency
methods may procedures put in place by
differ between jurisdictions. It is your local shire or state so
sometimes a good idea to seek this you know what to do in the
event of a spill.
advice before an emergency situation
occurs so you can be prepared for disposal in advance.

Many local and state areas have processes in place to deal with
emergencies that place people, property or the environment at
risk. You should familiarise yourself with your local scheme so that
prompt action can be taken should a spill of hazardous substances
get out of control.
7.3 Fire/explosion hazard

Check the Fire/Explosion Hazard subsection. Ensure any
emergency equipment specified (eg. appropriate fire extinguishers
and/or fire fighting agents) are available and ready for immediate
use before using the product. This subsection can provide
information that will assist in the design of emergency procedures
and emergency evacuation.
Section 8: OTHER INFORMATION
Animal Toxicity Data

Here you may find detailed information
on the product, for KEY POINT
example, animal toxicity* data and
The larger the LD or LC
biodegradability. number, the less toxic is
the substance.
The animal toxicity data can include
measures such as *LD50, and *LC50
which relate to acute toxicity. In these
cases the larger the number, the less toxic is the substance.
Date of MSDS
Check the issue date you will find in this section. The MSDS
should not be more than 5 years old. If it is, contact the
manufacturer or supplier and obtain an up to date MSDS.
On-Line MSDSs
Many manufacturers have on-line Material Safety Data Sheets.
Some of these can be accessed through WorkSafe's homepage.

Your feedback
WorkSafe is committed to continuous improvement. If you take
the time to complete the online Feedback Form at the SafetyLine
Institute website you will assist us to maintain and improve our
high standards.
REFERENCES & FURTHER READING
ACGIH: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists. For more information go to their web site at
http://www.acgih.org/.
ACTU, 1986. Chemicals at Work, Australian Council of Trade

Unions Occupational Health and Safety Unit manual D89-87.
Federal Office of Road Safety, September 1992. Australian Code

for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail, 5th
edition, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Hammer W, 1985. Occupational Safety Management and

Engineering. 3rd edition, Prentice Hall International, Inc., New
Jersey, United States of America.
Martin E A (Ed), 1983. The McMillan Dictionary of Life Sciences.

2nd Edition, The McMillan Press, London.
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC),

Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for
Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment.
NOHSC, Guidance Note for the Assessment of Health Risks

Arising from the Use of Hazardous Substances in the Workplace.
NOHSC, National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material

Safety Data Sheets.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – RECOMMENDED

FORMAT
This Checklist outlines the necessary information to prepare the 16-header MSDS format
required under workplace hazardous substances and Dangerous Goods legislation. A copy of
this checklist can be downloaded from <www.nohsc.gov.au>.
SECTION 1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER

□ Product (material) name
□ Other names
□ Recommended use
□ Supplier name/address/telephone no./Emergency phone number
SECTION 2 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

□ Hazard classification, including a statement of overall hazardous or dangerous nature
□ Risk phrase(s)
□ Safety phrase(s)
SECTION 3 COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

SUBSTANCE
□ Chemical identity of the pure substance
□ Common name(s), synonym(s)
□ CAS Number(s)
MIXTURE
□ Chemical identity of ingredients
□ Proportion of ingredients
□ CAS Number(s) for ingredients

SECTION 4 FIRST AID MEASURES
□ Description of necessary measures according to routes of exposure
□ Indication of medical attention and special treatment needed including description of most
important symptoms, acute and delayed
Additional information
□ Aggravated medical conditions caused by exposure
SECTION 5 FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
□ Suitable extinguishing media
□ Hazards from combustion products
□ Special protective precautions and equipment for fire fighters
□ Hazchem Code
SECTION 6 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
□ Emergency procedures
□ Methods and materials for containment and clean up
SECTION 7 HANDLING AND STORAGE
□ Precautions for safe handling
□ Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
SECTION 8 EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

□ National exposure standards
□ Biological limit values
□ Engineering controls
□ Personal protective equipment

SECTION 9 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

□ Appearance (colour, physical form, shape).
□ Odour.
□ pH.
□ Vapour pressure.
□ Vapour density.
□ Boiling point/range.
□ Freezing/melting point (specify which).
□ Solubility (specify solvent, e.g. water).
□ Specific gravity or density.
Information for flammable materials, including:

□ flash point and method of detecting flash point;
□ upper and lower flammable (explosive) limits in air; and
□ ignition temperature.
□ Specific heat value.
□ Particle size.
□ Volatile organic compounds (VOC) content.
□ Evaporation rate.
□ Viscosity.
□ Percent volatile.
□ Octanol/water partition coefficient.
□ Saturated vapour concentration (include reference temperatures).
□ Additional characteristics not noted above may also be provided if applicable to the material.
□ Flame propagation or burning rate of solid materials.
□ Properties of both flammable and non-flammable materials that may initiate or uniquely
contribute to the intensity of a fire (e.g. Class 4 or Class 5).
□ Potential for dust explosion.
□ Reactions that release flammable gases or vapours.
□ Fast or intensely burning characteristics.
□ Non-flammables that could contribute unusual hazards to a fire, such as strong
oxidizing and reducing agents or peroxide formers.
□ Release of invisible flammable vapours and gases.
□ Decomposition temperature.
SECTION 10 STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
□ Chemical stability
□ Conditions to avoid
□ Incompatible materials
□ Hazardous decomposition products
□ Hazardous reactions

SECTION 11 TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
□ Health effects from the likely routes of exposure
SECTION 12 ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

□ Ecotoxicity
□ Persistence and degradability
□ Mobility
□ Environmental fate (exposure)
□ Bioaccumulative potential
SECTION 13 DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
□ Disposal methods and containers
□ Special precautions for landfill or incineration
SECTION 14 TRANSPORT INFORMATION
□ UN Number
□ UN Proper Shipping Name
□ Class and subsidiary risk
□ Packing Group
□ Special precautions for user
□ Hazchem Code

Material Safety Data Sheets

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Occupational Health & Safety

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

SECTION 2: OBTAIN CORRECT MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) ...........4

SECTION 3: COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS..........................................................6

SECTION 4: IDENTIFICATION SECTION.....................................................................7

SECTION 5: HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION ........................................................13

SECTION 6: PRECAUTIONS FOR USE .....................................................................16

SECTION 7: SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION .........................................................20

SECTION 8: OTHER INFORMATION..........................................................................21

REFERENCES & FURTHER READING.......................................................................22

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – RECOMMENDED FORMAT……………………23

The SafetyLine Institute material has been prepared

© 2006 State of Western Australia. All rights reserved.

Details of copyright conditions are provided at the SafetyLine Institute website.

• outline the general format and content of material safety data

JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 1

Carcinogenicity A carcinogen is any agent that causes

Chemical Unique identifiers for pure chemicals.

LC50 The lethal concentration of a substance

LD50 The lethal dose of a substance that kills

Mutagenicity A mutagen is any agent capable of

PAGE 2 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

Teratogenicity A teratogen is an agent that damages or

Toxicity Is a property of matter. It is a biological

Type I ingredients A Type I ingredient is an ingredient which

Type II ingredients A Type II ingredient is an ingredient that:

Type III ingredients A Type III ingredient is an ingredient which

JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 3

Section 2: OBTAIN CORRECT MATERIAL SAFETY

• know how dangerous the product is;

Anyone who manufactures or imports a hazardous substance for

Users should obtain the MSDS from the manufacturer or supplier

The MSDS details should be checked against the label on the

PAGE 4 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

2.1 Reading a material safety data

• Identification of the material and supplier

At the end of the reading a checklist outlines the necessary

JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 5

Section 3: COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS

The MSDS should clearly identify the Australian organisation that

In 1996 two sea

The by-products of the

PAGE 6 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

Section 4: IDENTIFICATION SECTION

4.1 Look for hazard KEY POINT

statement If the product is hazardous,

4.2 Recommended uses

JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 7

4.3 Hazchem codes

• the number (1, 2, 3 or 4) indicates what fire fighting medium

4.4 Dangerous goods codes & U.N

PAGE 8 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

Dangerous Goods Classes (Classes 1 to 9) are associated with

JANUARY 2006 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE PAGE 9

4.5 Physical description and

This subsection also provides information on various properties of

Experts use these properties to estimate exposure levels and

PAGE 10 SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE JANUARY 2006

• is described in the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous

• is present in a quantity which exceeds the lowest relevant

Type III ingredients

Type I ingredients must have their names stated, Chemical