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A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (regulations) , with guidance for employers (guidelines) . The MSDS is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product. MSDS's contain useful information such as flash point, toxicity, procedures for spills and leaks, and storage guidelines. For an explanation of the terms used in MSDS's, click here. Information included in a Material Safety Data Sheet aids in the selection of safe products, helps you understand the potential health and physical hazards of a chemical and describes how to respond effectively to exposure situations. Although there is an effort currently underway to standardizes MSDS's the quality of individual MSDS's vary. A MSDS may be useful but it can not substitute for prudent practices and comprehensive risk management.
If you need to write an msds see: How to Create an MSDS for Your Company's Product
For commercial product MSDS's - if you have a commercial product or formulation, rather than a simple, single chemical compound click this link for the products Material Safety Data Sheets, listed by manufacturer!
The numbering in these directions applies to the ANSI version of MSDS, which is the preferred format (also used by Canada) , (see How to Create an MSDS for Your Company's Product ) but the differences are trivial and the directions are applicable to both MSDS's. Remember, in the United States, OSHA does not specific a particular format for the MSDS, only the content.
Here is a sample of the the new MSDS form, for free (right click and select "save target as" if you want to save a copy to your hard drive, where you can open it and work on it).
Section 1. Chemical product and company identification
Links the MSDS to the material. Identifies the supplier of the MSDS. Identifies a source for more information. You must include the manufacturer's name.
Section 2. Composition/information on ingredients
Lists the OSHA hazardous components May also list significant nonhazardous components. May also include additional information about components (e.g., exposure guidelines)
You can patent your product to protect the contents, but you must disclose all hazardous constituents.
Section 3. Hazards identification, including emergency overview
Provides information on the potential adverse human health effects and symptoms that might result from reasonably foreseeable use and misuse of the material. May provide emergency overview.
Typically, this section is brief, one or two paragraphs.
Section 4. First aid measures
Provides instructions to be taken if accidental exposure requires immediate treatment. May also include instructions to medical professionals. This should include specific instructions to medical professionals; not general platitudes, like "seek medical help" or "apply CPR"
Section 5. Fire fighting measures
Provides basic fire fighting guidance, including appropriate extinguishing media. Describes other fire and explosive properties useful for avoiding and fighting fires involving the material, such as flash point or explosive limits.
Section 6. Accidental release measures
Describes actions to be taken to minimize the adverse effects of an accidental spell, leak or release of the material.
Section 7. Handling and storage
Provides information on appropriate practices for safe handling and storage.
Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection
Provides information on practices, or equipment, or both, that are useful in minimizing worker exposure. May also include exposure guidelines. Provides guidance on personal protective equipment.
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
Provides additional data that can be used to help characterize the material and design safe work practices.
Section 10. Stability and reactivity
Describes the conditions to be avoided or other materials that may cause a reaction that would change the intrinsic stability of the material.
Section 11. Toxicological information
May be used to provide background toxicological information on the material, its compounds, or both.
Section 12. Ecological information
May be used to provide information on the effects the material may have on plants or animals and on the material's environmental fate.
Section 13. Disposal considerations
May provide information that is useful in determining appropriate disposal measures.
Section 14. Transport information
May provide basic shipping classification information. [Comment: If any specific transportation label is required state it here. For bulk chemicals include the UN number. Otherwise just say "May be shipped normally as a nonhazardous matererial"
Section 15. Regulatory information
May be used to proved any additional information on regulations affecting the material.
Section 16. Other information
May be used to provide any additional information. [Comment: If you must include useless denials of responsibility, keep them confined to this section]
Product Name:
SECTION 1 - Chemical Product and Company
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COMMENTS |
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Product Identifier |
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[WHMIS Classification] |
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Product Use |
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Manufacturer's Name |
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Street address |
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City, Province/State, Postal/Zip Code |
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Emergency Telephone Number |
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[Fax Number] |
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Supplier's Name |
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Street Address |
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City, Province/State, Postal/Zip Code |
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Emergency Telephone Number |
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[Fax Number] |
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Preparation date of MSDS |
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MSDS Prepared By |
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Phone Number of Preparer |
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SECTION 2 Composition/Information on Ingredients |
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Hazardous
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CAS# |
LD 50 |
LC 50 |
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SECTION 3 Hazards Identification |
COMMENTS |
Route of entry: Skin contact Skin absorption Eye contact Inhalation Ingestion |
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[Emergency Overview] |
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[WHMIS Symbols] |
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[Potential Health Effects] |
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SECTION 4 First Aid Measures |
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Skin Contact |
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Eye Contact |
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Inhalation |
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Ingestion |
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SECTION 5 - Fire Fighting Measures |
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Flammable No Yes - identify under which conditions |
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Means of Extinction |
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Flashpoint ( degrees C) and Method (oc or cc) |
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Upper Flammable Limit (% by volume) |
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Lower Flammable Limit (% by volume) |
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Autoignition Temperature ( degrees C) |
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Explosion Data - Sensitivity to Impact |
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Explosion Data - Sensitivity to Static Discharge |
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Hazardous Combustion Products |
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[NFPA] |
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SECTION 6 - Accidental Release Measures |
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Leak and Spill Procedures |
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SECTION 7 - Handling and Storage |
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Handling Procedures and Equipment |
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Storage Requirements |
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SECTION 8 - Exposure Control/Personal Protection |
COMMENTS |
Exposure Limits |
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ACGIH TLV |
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OSHA PEL |
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Other (specify) |
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Engineering Controls (specific) General Local Exhaust Other (specify) |
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Personal Protective Equipment (specific) Gloves Respirator Eye Footwear Clothing Other |
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SECTION 9 Physical and Chemical Properties |
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Physical State |
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Odour and Appearance |
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Odour Threshold (ppm) |
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Specific Gravity |
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Vapour Density (air=1) |
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Vapour Pressure (mmHg) |
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Evaporation Rate |
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Boiling Point ( degrees C) |
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Freezing Point ( degrees C) |
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pH |
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Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution |
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[Solubility in Water] |
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SECTION 10 - Stability and Reactivity |
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Chemical Stability? Yes No Identify under which conditions |
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Incompatibility with other substances Yes Identify which ones |
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Reactivity, and under what conditions? |
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Hazardous Decomposition Products |
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SECTION 11 - Toxicological Information |
COMMENTS |
Effects of Acute Exposure |
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Effects of Chronic Exposure |
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Irritancy of Product |
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Skin Sensitization |
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Respiratory Sensitization |
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Carcinogencity IARC ((1, 2A or 2B) ACGIH (A1, A2 or A3) |
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Reproductive Toxicity |
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Teratogenicity |
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Embryotoxicity |
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Mutagenicity |
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Name of Synergistic Products/Effects |
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SECTION 12 Ecological Information |
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[Aquatic Toxicity] |
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SECTION 13 Disposal Considerations |
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Waste Disposal |
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SECTION 14 Transport Information |
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Special Shipping Information PIN u TDG [DOT] [IMO] [ICAO] |
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SECTION 15 Regulatory Information |
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[WHMIS CLASSIFICATION] |
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[OSHA] |
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[SERA] |
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[TSCA] |
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SECTION 16 Other Information |
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This product has been classified in accordance with the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by CPR.
Click here if you want to download a Word version of the 174 form or here for an RTF version .
Material
Safety Data Sheet
May be used to comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. Standard must be consulted for specific requirements. |
U.S. Department of
Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Non-Mandatory Form) Form Approved OMB No. 1218-0072 |
IDENTITY (As Used on Label and List) | Note: Blank spaces are not permitted. If any item is not applicable, or no information is available, the space must be marked to indicate that. |
Manufacturer's Name | Emergency Telephone
Number
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Address (Number, Street, City, State, and ZIP Code) | Telephone Number for
Information
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Date Prepared
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Signature of Preparer
(optional)
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Hazardous Components (Specific Chemical Identity; Common Name(s)) | OSHA PEL | ACGIH TLV | Other Limits Recommended | % (optional) |
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Boiling Point | Specific Gravity (H
2
O
= 1)
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Vapor Pressure (mm Hg) | Melting Point |
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Vapor Density (AIR = 1) | Evaporation Rate
(Butyl Acetate = 1) |
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Solubility in Water
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Appearance and Odor
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Flash Point (Method Used) | Flammable Limits | LEL
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UEL
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Extinguishing Media
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Special Fire Fighting
Procedures
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Unusual Fire and
Explosion Hazards
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(Reproduce locally) | OSHA 174, Sept. 1985 |
Stability | Unstable | Conditions to Avoid
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Stable |
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Incompatibility
(Materials to Avoid)
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Hazardous Decomposition
or Byproducts
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Hazardous
Polymerization |
May Occur | Conditions to Avoid
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Will Not Occur |
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Route(s) of Entry: | Inhalation? | Skin? | Ingestion?
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Health Hazards
(Acute and Chronic)
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Carcinogenicity: | NTP? | IARC Monographs? | OSHA Regulated?
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Signs and Symptoms of
Exposure
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Medical Conditions
Generally Aggravated by Exposure |
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Emergency and First Aid
Procedures
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Steps to Be Taken in
Case Material is Released or Spilled
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Waste Disposal Method
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Precautions to Be taken in Handling
and Storing
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Other Precautions
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Respiratory
Proctection
(Specify Type)
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Ventilation | Local Exhaust | Special
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Mechanical (General) | Other
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Protective Gloves | Eye Protection
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Other Protective
Clothing or Equipment
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Work/Hygienic Practices
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* U.S.G.P.O.: 1986 - 491 - 529/45775 |
Click here for household products master list
And if you are not a scientist, and are looking for general information about the safety of a common household product, you might want to try this search engine, Scorecard , rather than the list below.