Material Safety Data

Sheets
MSDS what you need to
know
about them
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
What do MSDSs contain?
Identification of the product

Teepol Aluminium Cleaner

- sales unit and stock code
- address and contact details for the
supplier
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%
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
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
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!
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)
Youwill need to ensure that your
department stocks appropriate
materials to deal with these incidents.
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

Inthis case, largely common

sense information but for some
products it could be more critical
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 what sort of 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
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)


In terms of hazard, both high pHs (strong

alkali) and low pHs (strong acid) are nasty.
For substances with pHs around 7 acidity &
What do MSDSs contain?
Stability& reactivity
No stability concerns it wont 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)
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
(its 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
What do MSDSs contain?
Ecologicalinformation
How environmentally friendly is
it?
Biodegrades does not remain in soil
etc
Dont release into surface waters
eg detergents can cause unsightly rivers
and may
affect waterproofing of water birds
What do MSDSs contain?
Disposal considerations
Use suitable PPE (see previous
information)
Rinse out containers
Dont allow to enter drains
Dispose of according to local regulations
Do not mix with other waste

Thisis not as formidable as it

sounds a bit of advice from Safety
Services or Estates will help
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
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.
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
What do MSDSs contain?
Other information (variable)

In this case it tells you its

immediate application and how
to use it
REMEMBER
MSDSs 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 MDSDs to help you.
Controls should be proportional to risk!
risk
Not all MSDSs contain comprehensive.
information, although they should have!
If in doubt, always consult an expert.