TOOL BOX TALKS Material Safety Data Sheets
•A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide workers and emergency responders with
proper procedures for handling or working with hazardous chemicals. Material safety data sheets provide information on fire fighting measures, first aid and personal protective equipment requirements. Anyone that uses a particular chemical on a regular basis should have an MSDS on file in case of emergency.
WORKSAFE TIPS
BEST PRACTICES • A MSDS must be present on site for each MSDS BACKGROUND INFORMATION hazardous chemical or product. • MSDS are prepared by the chemical o Coal tar pitch, roofing chemicals manufacturer. o Cleaners, solvents, paints • MSDS are the key component to obtaining safety o Lubricants, oils, fluids and health information about specific chemicals. • For mixtures, have an MSDS on site for each • MSDS can be from 2 to 14 pages in length. chemical in the mixture. • MSDS are sometimes found on the internet, and • If an employee regularly uses a chemical, then he can be saved as an electronic file on a computer. / she needs to read the MSDS, and know where • When an MSDS has been photocopied too many copies are kept. times – contact the manufacturer for a new copy. • Gather employees and review the MSDS for a • When an MSDS provides limited or vague commonly‐used product. Discuss how to: information about a chemical, DO NOT ASSUME o Fight a fire involving the chemical the chemical is not hazardous. o Administer first aid if chemical exposure • MSDS should be available for immediate use, in occurs case there is an accident. o Notifying emergency services • Whenever an employee needs medical treatment o Clean up a spill after a chemical exposure, the MSDS must be o Determine proper PPE provided to the medical professional. o Format differences in MSDS, as they vary • All employees should be able to recite where the from one manufacturer to the next MSDS are posted. • If an MSDS does not arrive with a shipment of • All employees should be able to recite the chemicals or products, contact the salesperson or hazards of unlabeled containers and barrels. manufacturer for a copy. • Contractors must make MSDS available to their NINE MSDS SECTIONS employees. Section 1 – Product Identification • Keep a MSDS binder on site in case a chemical Section 2 – Hazardous Ingredients exposure or spill occurs. Section 3 – Physical Data • Keep a MSDS binder on site in case a chemical‐ Section 4 – Fire and Explosion Hazard related medical emergency occurs. Section 5 – Health Hazard • Make MSDS binders available to employees in Section 6 – Reactivity case of emergency. Section 7 – Spill and Disposal Procedures • All employees should know where the MSDS Section 8 – Protective Measures binder is located. Section 9 – Special Procedures
Rev 8/11
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888.499.SAFE (7233)
These advisory materials have been developed from national standards and sources believed to be reliable, however, no guarantee is made as to the sufficiency of the information contained in the material and Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company assumes liability for its use. Advice about specific situations should be obtained from a safety professional. no
888.499.SAFE (7233)
