MSDS

An INTRODUCTION
By ZAHEER ABBAS , OGDCL DFS

* PREPARED FOR INFORMATION , LEARNING & AWARENESS, USING ONLINE AVAILABLE MATERIAL . COPYRIGHTS ARE RESERVED FOR AUTHORS.
WHAT IS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEET ?
 A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a
o document that contains information on the potential hazards (health,
fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the
chemical product.

o It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete

health and safety program. It also contains information on the use,
storage, handling and emergency procedures all related to the hazards
of the material. The MSDS contains much more information about the
material than the label.

o MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material. It

is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the
product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not
followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of
overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.
What information is on the MSDS?
1. Product Information: product identifier (name),
manufacturer and suppliers names, addresses, and
emergency phone numbers
2. Hazardous Ingredients
3. Physical Data
4. Fire or Explosion Hazard Data
5. Reactivity Data: information on the chemical instability of
a product and the substances it may react with
6. Toxicological Properties: health effects
7. Preventive Measures
8. First Aid Measures
9. Preparation Information: who is responsible for
preparation and date of preparation of MSDS
Why is my MSDS so hard to
understand?
 Traditionally the intended readers of MSDSs were occupational
hygienists and safety professionals.

 Now the audience also includes employers, workers, supervisors,

nurses, doctors, emergency responders and workers.

 To ensure that MSDS users can quickly find the information that
they need, the information should be in an easy-to-read format
and written in a clear, precise and understandable manner.

 For most people who work with controlled products, there are
some sections that are more important than others. You should
always read the name of the chemical, know the hazards,
understand safe handling and storage instructions, as well as
understand what to do in an emergency.
Is all the information I need on the
MSDS?
 Not necessarily. A lot of health hazard
information, for example, is written in
general terms.
 Your health and safety specialist,

occupational health nurse or doctor should

be able to help you find more information if
needed.
When would I use an MSDS?
 Always be familiar with the hazards of a
product BEFORE you start using it.
 You should look at a MSDS, match the name

of the chemical on your container to the one

on the MSDS, know the hazards, understand
safe handling and storage instructions, as
well as understand what to do in an
emergency.
NFPA DIAMOND
Hazard Symbols
 Its a known fact that we cannot draw our own
danger symbols and expect everyone to understand
it, this was the very basis for standardizing hazard
symbols and meanings they convey.
 The United Nations designed GHS (Globally
harmonized system of classification and labelling of
chemicals) pictograms to harmonize chemical
hazard warning internationally .
 Almost all hazard symbols in use perfectly convey
the warning symbol and have been aptly used.
There are nine basic pictograms of all hazard
symbols that are used widely
Acute Toxic
The skull and crossbones is an indication of acute toxicity.
When displayed on chemical labels the message sent across
is, they are toxic to the extent of being fatal when inhaled,
swallowed and on contact with skin.
Health Hazard
The health hazard symbol is a clear indication of the
substance being carcinogenic,it induces respiratory irritation,
directly causes damage to organs and also imparts
reproductive toxicity.
Flammable
The picture of the flame abruptly indicates the substance is
flammable when it comes into contact with air or it may even
heat up by itself and ignite spontaneously.
Exclamation mark
This is a generic symbol which in addition to cautioning also
indicates that it causes irritation, acute toxicity, narcotic
effect,respiratory tract irritation and causes damage to
internal organs.
Flame over circle
This symbol sends a word of caution for all gases and liquids that
oxidize. Though this reaction does not cause explosions it is capable
of loosing its nature and transforming to another undesired
substance.
Gas Cylinder
The pictogram of gas cylinder indicates that the consignment has
liquified gases, compressed gas or dissolved gases.
Exploding Bomb
Needless to say the explosive hazard symbol indicates an explosion
where the substance contained may react on its own and may cause
a noticeable increase in air pressure.
Environmental hazard
The dead fish in the pictogram indicates that the substance is
hazardous to aqualtic life and should not be let into lakes, rivers etc.
Further more it indicates that there is a possibility of the ecosystem
being damaged for years.
Corrosion
There is a clear indication in the picture that the substance
contained is capable of corroding metals and skin.
THANK YOU !

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