The Material Safety Data Sheet

Introduction

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is used to communicate chemical hazard information from the manufacturer to the employee. This is the information needed to inform and train employees on the safe use of hazardous chemicals. The employer is required to have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical product they use. Let's examine the MSDS and the requirements for maintaining an effective MSDS system.

Who must have them?

Chemical manufacturers and importers must obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import.
Employers must have a material safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.

The MSDS form

Let's take a look at the MSDS form, itself. Some of the terms in each section link to additional information. You can check out the glossary for general information on terms you may not be familiar with. We will detail important points related to each MSDS section and then show you an example that illustrates those points.

Each material safety data sheet must be in English (although the employer may maintain copies in other languages as well), and must contain at least the following information:

The name, address and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, employer or other responsible party preparing or distributing the material safety data sheet, who can provide additional information on the hazardous chemical and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.

The English language requirement was included to prevent importers of chemicals from supplying MSDSs in a foreign language. This requirement, however, does not prevent a chemical manufacturer/employer from translating MSDSs from English into foreign languages, in order to assist non-English speaking employees with training comprehension and hazard recognition.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

FISHER SCIENTIFIC
CHEMICAL DIVISION
1 REAGENT LANE
FAIR LAWN NJ 07410
(201) 796-7100

EMERGENCY NUMBER: (201) 796-7100
CHEMTREC ASSISTANCE: (800) 424-9300

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE AND REPRESENTS THE BEST INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO US. HOWEVER, WE MAKE NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INFORMATION, AND WE ASSUME NO LIABILITY RESULTING FROM ITS USE. USERS SHOULD MAKE THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF THE INFORMATION FOR THEIR PARTICULAR PURPOSES.

The identity used on the label;
If the hazardous chemical is a single substance, its chemical and common name(s);
If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has been tested as a whole to determine its hazards, the chemical and common name(s) of the ingredients which contribute to these known hazards, and the common name(s) of the mixture itself; or,

If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has not been tested as a whole, the chemical and common name(s) of all ingredients which have been determined to be health hazards, and which comprise 1% or greater of the composition (0.1% for carcinogens);

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

CAS-NUMBER 65-85-0
SUBSTANCE: **BENZOIC ACID**

TRADE NAMES/SYNONYMS: BENZENECARBOXYLIC ACID; CARBOXYBENZENE; DRACYLIC ACID; PHENYL CARBOXYLIC ACID; PHENYLFORMIC ACID; RETARDER BA; TENN-PLAS; RETARDEX; SOLVO POWDER; SALVO LIQUID; PHENYLCARBOXYLIC ACID; BENZOATE; BENZENEMETHANOIC ACID; BENZENEFORMIC ACID; STCC 4966340; A-63; A-65; A-68; BP344; C7H6O2; ACC02720

CHEMICAL FAMILY: Carboxylic acid, aromatic

MOLECULAR FORMULA: C6-H5-C-O2-H
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 122.12
CERCLA RATINGS (SCALE 0-3): HEALTH=3 FIRE=1 REACTIVITY=0 PERSISTENCE=2

NFPA RATINGS (SCALE 0-4): HEALTH=2 FIRE=1 REACTIVITY=U

COMPONENTS AND CONTAMINANTS

COMPONENT: BENZOIC ACID PERCENT: 100 CAS# 65-85-0

EXPOSURE LIMITS: No occupational exposure limits established by OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH.
5000 pounds CERCLA Section 103 Reportable Quantity

Physical and chemical characteristics of the hazardous chemical (such as vapor pressure, flash point);

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

DESCRIPTION: White powder or crystals with an odor of benzoin or benzaldehyde.
BOILING POINT: 480 F (249 C)
MELTING POINT: 252 F (122 C)
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.2659 @ 15 C
VAPOR PRESSURE: 1 mmHg @ 205 F
PH: 2.8 (satd solution)
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 2.9% @ 20 C
VAPOR DENSITY: 4.2
SOLVENT SOLUBILITY: Soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, carbon disulfide, oil of turpentine, carbon tetrachloride, fixed and volatile oils; slightly soluble in petroleum ether, hexane.

The physical hazards of the hazardous chemical, including the potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity;

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD: Slight fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Dust/air mixtures may be explosive above the flash point. Vapor from molten benzoic acid may form explosive mixture with air.

FLASH POINT: 250 F (121 C) UPPER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT: 35 g/ft3 (optimum)
LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT: 3 g/ft3
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: 1060 F (571 C)
FIREFIGHTING MEDIA: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or regular foam (1990 Emergency Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.5). For larger fires, use water spray, fog or regular foam (1990 Emergency Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.5).

FIREFIGHTING: Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. Dike fire-control water for later disposal (1990 Emergency Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.5, Guide Page 31). Use water in flooding quantities as a fog; solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool affected containers with flooding quantities of water applying water from as far a distance as possible. Avoid breathing vapors or dusts.

REACTIVITY

REACTIVITY: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
INCOMPATIBILITIES: OXIDIZERS (STRONG): Vigorous exothermic reaction.
DECOMPOSITION: Thermal decomposition products may include toxic oxides of carbon.
POLYMERIZATION: Hazardous polymerization has not been reported to occur under normal temperatures and pressures.

The health hazards of the hazardous chemical, including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any medical conditions which are generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure to the chemical;
The primary route(s) of entry;
Emergency and first aid procedures;
The OSHA permissible exposure limit, ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, where available;

Whether the hazardous chemical is listed in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Annual Report on Carcinogens (latest edition) or has been found to be a potential carcinogen in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest editions), or by OSHA;

TOXICITY

IRRITATION DATA: 22 mg/3 days intermittent skin-human moderate; 500 mg/24 hours skin-rabbit mild; 100 mg eye-rabbit severe.

TOXICITY DATA: 6 mg/kg skin-human TDLo; 500 mg/kg oral-man LDLo; 1700 mg/kg oral-rat LD50; 1940 mg/kg oral-mouse LD50; 2 gm/kg oral-guinea pig LDLo; 2000 mg/kg oral-dog LD50; 2000 mg/kg oral-cat LD50; 2000 mg/kg oral-rabbit LDLo; 2000 mg/kg subcutaneous-rabbit LDLo; 1400 mg/kg intraperitoneal-guinea pig LDLo; 1460 mg/kg intraperitoneal-mouse LD50; mutagenic data (RTECS).

CARCINOGEN STATUS: None.
LOCAL EFFECTS: Irritant- eye.
ACUTE TOXICITY LEVEL: Moderately toxic by ingestion.
TARGET EFFECTS: Poisoning may affect the respiratory and central nervous system.

HEALTH EFFECTS AND FIRST AID INHALATION:

ACUTE EXPOSURE - Dust may cause mild respiratory irritation with sore throat and coughing.
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - No data available.
FIRST AID - Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep person warm and at rest. Treat symptomatically and supportively. Get medical attention immediately.

SKIN CONTACT:

ACUTE EXPOSURE - Dust and liquid may cause mild irritation and redness. Concentrations up to 0.2%, may elicit an immediate skin reaction varying from erythema to a non-immunologic contact urticaria in some persons.
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - Repeated application to human skin produced moderate irritation.
FIRST AID - Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention immediately.

EYE CONTACT:IRRITANT.

ACUTE EXPOSURE- Dust may cause strong irritation and redness.
CHRONIC EXPOSURE- Repeated or prolonged contact with irritants may cause conjunctivitis.

FIRST AID - Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water or normal saline, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention immediately.

INGESTION:

ACUTE EXPOSURE - Large doses may cause sore throat, gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and possible allergic reactions. A 67 kg man ingested 50 gm without ill effects.
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - A daily intake of 4-6 grams produced no toxic effects outside of gastric irritation. Larger doses may have systemic effects similar to salicylates and may include disturbances in acid base balance, tremor and convulsions.
FIRST AID - Treat symptomatically and supportively. Get medical attention immediately. If vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips to prevent aspiration.

ANTIDOTE: No specific antidote. Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Any generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, including appropriate hygienic practices, protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated equipment, and procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks;

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

Observe all federal, state and local regulations when storing or disposing of this substance. Store away from incompatible substances.

CONDITIONS TO AVOID

May burn but does not ignite readily. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, excessive heat, sparks, or open flame.

SPILL AND LEAK PROCEDURES

SOIL SPILL: Dig holding area such as lagoon, pond or pit for containment. Use protective cover such as a plastic sheet to prevent material from dissolving in fire extinguishing water or rain.

WATER SPILL: Use activated carbon to absorb spilled substance that is dissolved. Use mechanical dredges or lifts to extract immobilized masses of pollution and precipitates. Use suction hoses to remove trapped spill material.

OCCUPATIONAL SPILL: Sweep up and place in suitable clean, dry containers for reclamation or later disposal. Do not flush spilled material into sewer. Keep unnecessary people away.

Reportable Quantity (RQ): 5000 pounds

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Section 304 requires that a release equal to or greater than the reportable quantity for this substance be immediately reported to the local emergency planning committee and the state emergency response commission (40 CFR 355.40). If the release of this substance is reportable under CERCLA Section 103, the National Response Center must be notified immediately at (800) 424-8802 or (202) 426-2675 in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area (40 CFR 302.6).

Any generally applicable control measures which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment;

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

VENTILATION: Provide local exhaust ventilation. Ventilation equipment should be explosion-proof if explosive concentrations of dust, vapor or fume are present.

RESPIRATOR: The following respirators are recommended based on information found in the physical data, toxicity and health effects sections. They are ranked in order from minimum to maximum respiratory protection. The specific respirator selected must be based on contamination levels found in the work place, must be based on the specific operation, must not exceed the working limits of the respirator and must be jointly approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH-MSHA).

Any dust and mist respirator.
Any air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a dust and mist filter.
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
Any type 'C' supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode.
Any self-contained breathing apparatus.

FOR FIREFIGHTING AND OTHER IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH CONDITIONS:

Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

CLOTHING: Employee must wear appropriate protective (impervious) clothing and equipment to prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact with this substance.

GLOVES: Employee must wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent contact with this substance.

EYE PROTECTION: Employee must wear splash-proof or dust-resistant safety goggles to prevent eye contact with this substance.

Emergency eye wash: Where there is any possibility that an employee's eyes may be exposed to this substance, the employer should provide an eye wash fountain within the immediate work area for emergency use.

The date of preparation of the material safety data sheet or the last change to it.

PREPARATION DOCUMENTATION

AUTHORIZED - XYZ SCIENTIFIC GROUP, INC.
CREATION DATE: 11/02/84
REVISION DATE: 12/23/93

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - THE INFORMATION BELOW IS BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE AND REPRESENTS THE BEST INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO US. HOWEVER, WE MAKE NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INFORMATION, AND WE ASSUME NO LIABILITY RESULTING FROM ITS USE. USERS SHOULD MAKE THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF THE INFORMATION FOR THEIR PARTICULAR PURPOSES.

If no relevant information is found for any given category on the material safety data sheet, the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet must mark it to indicate that no applicable information was found.

MSDS Management

Here are some more important requirements manufacturers, importers and distributors must meet:

The manufacturer or importer must:

Prepare one MSDS that applies to all similar mixtures where complex mixtures have similar hazards and contents (i.e. the chemical ingredients are essentially the same, but the specific composition varies from mixture to mixture),
When preparing the material safety data sheet, ensure that the information recorded accurately reflects the scientific evidence used in making the hazard determination.
When aware of any significant new information regarding the hazards of a chemical, or ways to protect against the hazards, this new information, add it to the material safety data sheet within three months.
If the chemical is not currently being produced or imported, add any new information to the material safety data sheet before the chemical is introduced into the workplace again.
Provide an appropriate material safety data sheet with the initial shipment, with the first shipment after a material safety data sheet is updated, and as requested by the employer or distributor;
Provide material safety data sheets with the shipped containers or send them to the distributor or employer prior to or at the time of the shipment;

Distributors must:

Ensure that material safety data sheets, and updated information, are provided to other distributors and employers with their initial shipment and with the first shipment after a material safety data sheet is updated;
Either provide material safety data sheets with the shipped containers, or send them to the other distributor or employer prior to or at the time of the shipment;
Retail distributor selling hazardous chemicals to employers having a commercial account -- provide a material safety data sheet to such employers upon request, and must post a sign or otherwise inform them that a material safety data sheet is available. If an employer without a commercial account purchases a hazardous chemical from a retail distributor not required to have material safety data sheets on file (i.e., the retail distributor does not have commercial accounts and does not use the materials), the retail distributor must provide the employer, upon request, with the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor from which a material safety data sheet can be obtained. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors need not provide material safety data sheets to retail distributors that have informed them that the retail distributor does not sell the product to commercial accounts or open the sealed container to use it in their own workplaces.
Wholesale distributor selling hazardous chemicals to employers over-the-counter -- provide material safety data sheets upon the request of the employer at the time of the over-the-counter purchase, and post a sign or otherwise inform such employers that a material safety data sheet is available.
Distributors and employers who in good faith choose to rely upon the MSDSs provided to them by the chemical manufacturer/importer assume no responsibility for the content and accuracy of the MSDSs.

What about employer responsibilities?

Employers must obtain a MSDS from the chemical manufacturer or importer as soon as possible if the material safety data sheet is not provided with a shipment that has been labeled as a hazardous chemical.

Employers must maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and must ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s). (Electronic access, microfiche, and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the material safety data sheets are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace are created by such options.)

Where employees must travel between workplaces during a workshift, i.e., their work is carried out at more than one geographical location, the material safety data sheets may be kept at the primary workplace facility. In this situation, the employer must ensure that employees can immediately obtain the required information in an emergency.

Employees who work at more than one site during the work shift must be able to obtain MSDS information immediately in an emergency. MSDSs may be kept at the primary workplace facility, as long as the employer has a representative available at all times to ensure ready access to this information. This is the only situation in which an employer is allowed to transmit hazard information via voice communication. The employer must address in the written hazard communication program how MSDS information will be conveyed to remote worksites.

Material safety data sheets may be kept in any form, including operating procedures, and may be designed to cover groups of hazardous chemicals in a work area where it may be more appropriate to address the hazards of a process rather than individual hazardous chemicals.

However, the employer must ensure that in all cases the required information is provided for each hazardous chemical, and is readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in in their work area(s). Usually MSDSs will be kept at the "Right to Know" station in a centralized location where most of the work is being accomplished. Along with the MSDSs, there must be a list of chemicals with an effective reference system to help the employee quickly locate a specific MSDS.

According to the standard, you can keep your company's MSDSs on a computer.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Various terms and concepts to know. Back to MSDS form Acute Exposure - a short-term exposure usually occurring at high concentration. Back

Acute Health Effect - an effect that develops either immediately or a short time after exposure.

Antidote - a remedy or other agent to counteract the effects of a poison. Back

Atomic Weight - The average weight of an atom of an element, usually expressed relative to one atom of the carbon isotope taken as a weight of 12. Back

Autoignition Temperature - the minimum temperature required to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion, in the absence of a spark or flame. Back

Biohazardous Infectious Material - a material that contains organisms and the toxins produced by these organisms that have been shown to cause disease or are believed to cause disease in either humans or animals.

Boiling Point - the temperature at which a liquid changes from a liquids to a gas, at normal atmospheric pressure. Back

Carcinogens - agents/compounds that may induce cancer in humans. Back

CAS Registry Number - a number assigned to a material by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) to provide a single unique identifier. Back

Chemical Formula - sometimes called the molecular formula, indicates the elements that make up a chemical.

Chemical Name - a proper scientific name for the active ingredient of a product.

Chronic Exposure - a long-term exposure, usually occurring at low concentrations. Back

Chronic Health Effects - an effect that appears a long time after exposure.

Coefficient of Oil/Water Distribution - the ratio of the solubility of the chemical in an oil to its solubility in water.

Combustible Liquid - a liquid which has a flash point above 37.8 C.

Compressed Gas - a material which is a gas at normal room temperature (20 C) and pressure but is packaged as a pressurized gas, dissolved gas or gas liquefied by compression or refrigeration.

Condensation - the process of reducing from one form to another denser form such as steam to water.

Controlled Products - Under the Controlled Products Regulation, a controlled product is defined as a material, product or substance which is imported or sold in Canada and meets the criteria for one or more of the following classes: -

Class A - Compressed Gas
Class B - Flammable and Combustible Material
Class C - Oxidizing Material
Class D - Poisonous and Infectious Material
Class E - Corrosive Material
Class F - Dangerously Reactive Material

Corrosive Material - a material that can attack (corrode) metals or cause permanent damage to human tissues such as skin and eyes on contact.

Cryogenics - materials which exist at extremely low temperatures, such as liquid nitrogen.

Dangerously Reactive Materials - materials that may undergo vigorous condensation, decomposition or polymerization. They may react violently under conditions of shock or increase in pressure or temperature. They may also react vigorously with water or water vapor to release a toxic gas.

Decomposition - the breakdown of a substance, often due to heat, decay or other effect, with the release of other compounds such as vapors or gases that may be flammable or toxic.

Density - the weight of a material in a given volume. It is usually given in grams per millilitre (g/ml).

Dilution Ventilation - dilution of contaminated air with uncontaminated air in a general area, room or building for the purposes of health hazard or nuisance control, and/or for heating and cooling.

Dose - amount of the agent that has entered the body through the various routes of entry.

Evaporation Rate - the rate at which a liquid changes to vapor at normal room temperature.

Explosive (Flammable) Limits - the lower explosive (flammable) limit (LEL) is the lowest concentration of vapor in air which will burn or explode upon contact with a source of ignition. The upper explosive (flammable) limit (UEL) is the highest concentration of vapor in air which will burn or explode upon contact with a source of ignition. Back

Explosive (Flammable) Range - the range between the lower explosive limit (LEL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL).

Exposure Limits- established concentrations which, if not exceeded, will not generally cause adverse effects to the worker exposed. Exposure limits differ in name and meaning depending on origin. For example:-

The exposure levels for the hazardous chemicals that are included in the Regulation respecting the Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents - made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario, are expressed as follow: -
TWAEV Time-Weighted Average Exposure Value: The average airborne concentration of a biological or chemical agent to which a worker may be exposed in a work day or a work week.
STEV Short Term Exposure Value: - The maximum airborne concentration of a chemical or biological agent to which a worker may be exposed in any 15 minute period, provided the TWAEV is not exceeded.
CEV Ceiling Exposure Value: The maximum airborne concentration of a biological or chemical agent to which a worker may be exposed at any time.
SKIN: This notation indicates that direct or airborne contact with the product may result in significant absorption of the product through the skin, mucous membranes or eyes. Inclusion of this notation is intended to suggest that preventative action be taken against absorption of the agent through these routes of entry.
Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) are exposure guidelines developed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). They have been adopted by several Canadian governments and others as their legal limits. They are expressed as follows:-
TLV-TWA Threshold Limit Value - Time-Weighted Average: The time-weighted average concentration for a normal 8 hour work day and a 40 hour work week, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effect.
TLV-STEL Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit: a 15 minute time-weighted average exposure which should not be exceeded at any time during a work day even if the 8 hr TWA is within the TLV. Exposures at the STEL should not be repeated more than 4 times a day and there should be at least 60 minutes between successive exposures at the STEL.
TLV-C Threshold Limit Value - Ceiling: the concentration that should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure.
Other exposure limits include the Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) which are legal exposure limits in the United States.

Flammable Limits - "See Explosive Limits".

Flammable Substance - one that will readily catch fire and continue to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition.

Flammable Aerosol- a material that is packaged in an aerosol container which can release a flammable material.
Flammable Gas- a gas which can readily catch fire and continue to burn.
Flammable Liquid - a material that gives off a vapor which can readily catch fire and continue to burn. A flammable liquid has a flashpoint below 37.8 C.
Flammable Solid- a material which can readily catch fire and continue to burn vigorously and persistently. This may occur from friction, absorbing moisture, from spontaneous chemical change, or by retaining heat from manufacturing or processing.
Reactive Flammable Material- a material which is a dangerous fire risk because it can react readily with air or water.

Flashback - this occurs when a trail of flammable material is ignited by a distant source of ignition. The flame then travels back along the trail of gas, vapor or aerosol to its source.

Flashpoint - the lowest temperature of a liquid at which it gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture of vapor and air immediately above the liquid surface. Back

Freezing Point - the temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid, at normal atmospheric pressure.

Hazard- the potential for harmful effects.

Hazardous Combustion Products - chemicals which may be formed when a material burns. These chemicals may be flammable, toxic or have other hazards.

Hazardous Decomposition Products - formed when a material decomposes (breaks down) because it is unstable, or reacts with materials such as water or oxygen in air.

Hazardous Ingredient - Under the Hazardous Products Act, a chemical must be listed in the Hazardous Ingredients section of a MSDS if:-

it meets the criteria for a controlled product;
it is on the Ingredient Disclosure List;
there is no toxicological information available; or
the supplier has reason to believe it might be hazardous.

Hazardous Polymerization - Polymerization is a process of forming a polymer by combining large numbers of chemical units or monomers into long chains (polyethylene from ethylene or polystyrene from styrene). Uncontrolled polymerization can be extremely hazardous. Some polymerization processes can release considerable heat or can be explosive.

Ingestion - means taking a material into the body by mouth (swallowing).

Inhalation - means taking a material into the body by breathing it in.

Irritant - some sort of aggravation of whatever tissue the material comes in contact with.

LC50 - the concentration of a material in air which causes death in 50% of a group of test animals. The material is inhaled over a set period of time, usually 4 hrs. LC stands for lethal concentration.

LD50 - the weight of material which causes the death in 50% of a group of test animals. It is usually expressed in weight of material per weight of test animal. LD stands for lethal dose.

LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) - See "Explosive Limits".

Local Exhaust Ventilation - involves the capture of pollutants at the source.

Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects - classified under "Poisonous and Infectious Material" as toxic or very toxic based on information such as the LD50 or LC50.

Material Causing Other Toxic Effects - classified under "Poisonous and Infectious Material" as a material causing toxic effects such as skin or respiratory sensitization, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, etc.

Melting Point - the temperature at which a solid material becomes a liquid. Back

Molecular Formula - A chemical formula that shows the number of atoms of each element in a molecule of a compound. Back

Molecular Weight - the sum of the atomic weights of a molecule's constituent atoms. Back

Mutagen - an agent that affects the genes or cells of the exposed people in such a way that it may cause cancer in the exposed individual or an undesirable mutation to occur in some later generation.

NA Number - See "UN number".

Odor Threshold - the airborne concentration, usually in part per million, at which an odor becomes noticeable.

Oxidizing Material - gives up oxygen easily or can readily oxidize other materials. Back

Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) - legal limits in the U.S.A. set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

pH - a measure of the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a material when dissolved in water.

Polymer - a natural or man-made material formed by combining units, called monomers, into long chains.

Polymerization - a process of forming a polymer by combining large numbers of chemical units or monomers into long chains. Back

Parts Per Million (ppm) - represents the concentration of gases or vapor in air. For example, 1 ppm of a gas means that 1 unit of the gas is present for every 1 million units of air.

Reactivity - tendency to participate in chemical reactions. Back

Sensitization - the development, over time, of an allergic reaction to a chemical.

Solubility - the ability of a material to dissolve in water or another liquid. Back

Solvent - a material which is capable of dissolving another chemical.

Specific Gravity - the density of a liquid compared to the density of an equal amount of water. Back

Stability - the ability of a material to remain unchanged in the presence of heat, moisture or air.

Teratogen - agents or compounds that a pregnant woman takes into her body that generate defects in the fetus.

TLV - See "exposure Limits".

Toxicity - ability of a substance to cause harmful effects. Back

Trade Name - the name under which a product is commercially known.

TWA - See "Exposure Limits".

UEL (Upper Explosive Limits) - See "Explosive Limits".

UN Number - a four digit number assigned to a potentially hazardous material or class of materials. UN (United Nations) numbers are internationally recognized and are used by fire fighter and other emergency response personnel for identification of materials during transportation emergencies. NA (North American) numbers are assigned by Transport Canada and the US Department of Transport to materials they consider hazardous and to which a UN number has not been assigned.

Vapor - a gaseous form of a material which is normally solid or liquid at room temperature and pressure.

Vapor Density - the density of a vapor compared to the density of an equal amount of air. Back

Vapor Pressure - the pressure of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form. Back

Ventilation - the movement of air.

Volatility - the ability of a material to evaporate.

Back

MSDSs must be readily accessible and there must be no barriers to employee access during the work shift. The Agency interprets the term "readily accessible" to mean immediate access to MSDSs. The employer has flexibility to determine how this will be accomplished. The use of electronic means such as computers with printers, microfiche machines, the Internet, CD-ROMS, fax machines, etc., is acceptable. Employers using electronic means to supply MSDSs to their employees must ensure that reliable devices are readily accessible in the workplace at all times; that workers are trained in the use of these devices, including specific software; that there is an adequate back-up system for rapid access to MSDSs in the event of an emergency, including power outages, equipment, and on-line access delays; and that the system is part of the overall hazard communication program of the workplace. Additionally, employees must be able to access hard copies of the MSDSs, and in the event of medical emergencies, employers must be able to immediately provide copies of MSDSs to medical personnel. Mere transmission of the requested information orally via telephone is not acceptable.

Employers may use off-site MSDS management services to meet the requirements of the HCS only if MSDSs are readily available to employees, either as hard copies in the workplace or through electronic means and as long as the provisions outlined in the previous paragraph are ensured. Despite the use of an MSDS management service, the employer maintains primary responsibility for the hazard communication program, including receipt and use of the information to develop and implement a site-specific hazard communication program under paragraph (e) of the standard.