Know MSDS

By Shandi Alwin


It is very important that a workplace be safe. Chemicals can be dangerous, so a big part of safety is using them and storing then properly. Material data safety sheets, or MSDS, are useful because they include all of the information that you need to know about a particular chemical.

In addition to the name and content of a chemical substance, the MSDS provides information on potential hazards, as well as how these hazards can be prevented and managed.

Perhaps a chemical causes a fire. Should this happen, the MSDS would inform you of how best to put out the fire. If a spill should occur, the material safety data sheet has information on how best to contain it. The material safety data sheet will also tell you if protective equipment is necessary when dealing with a chemical. It's important to know the toxicity of a substance, and that can also be found on the MSDS.

This information can help you determine how damaging the chemical can be to the environment.

Improving Employee Efficiency

If your company has the MSDS of a chemical, then you know that the handling, storage, and transport of that chemical will be handled in a secure fashion. Other information included on an MSDS include boiling temperature, freezing temperature, odor, and potential to react with other substances.

It is important that chemical waste be handled carefully, and the MSDS will contain information on how to reeve it securely.

You will need material safety data sheets if you are handling chemical compounds. Any people who create, store, handle, or move a chemical need to be familiar with the MSDS for that chemical. Always have the MSDS in a location where everyone can see it easily, and remember that the MSDS must be transported with the chemical at all times. No matter how much precaution you take, you must always be prepared for an accident.

With an MSDS, workers will be ready if an accident happens. If a worker is familiar with a chemical's MSDS, he or she will be able to respond to a fire quickly and efficiently. If a worker is untrained, attempts to put out a fire can actually make it worse. Chemicals can be very dangerous, and a worker familiar with an MSDS will be able to handle a dangerous chemical in a safe and secure way.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are a few of the agencies that regular MSDS. You need current data sheets if you are dealing with dangerous chemicals. Local laws vary, but usually the data sheets need to be updated once every five years. There are several companies that offer the service of writing MSDS.




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