Checklist for Material Safety Data Sheets
As the owner or the manager of an industrial facility, you regularly have to deal with various raw materials, one of them being chemicals. However, many chemicals are not easy to handle; they may be explosive, hazardous to health and corrosive to machinery. Hence, while getting such chemicals from a vendor, you are provided with material safety data sheets. These sheets contain information about the chemical and the hazards it may pose.
There is a possibility that the chemical inventory provided to you may not be comprehensive. To avoid repercussions later, you need to check for the following things in the sheet provided by the vendor.
Basic Product and Company Information: The inventory should list the product, its chemical name and other basic information. Along with this, it should contain information about of the name of the company, its contact details, the person you are dealing with, etc.
Composition: Next comes the part of actually understanding the chemical. The sheet should have data about each element and its percentage.
Physical and Chemical Properties: This matter is extremely vital while using the chemical in combination with another. Here, the inventory has to mention everything in detail and, in case of rare properties, provide a full description and its effects.
Hazard Identification: This is the most important part of the MSDS database. This section will provide complete information about the potentially hazardous effects of the chemical. The MSDS sheet must have data regarding toxic levels, environmental impact, risk to man and machine, etc.
Handling, Transportation and Storage: This section should have details regarding the right way of dealing with this chemical while handling and transporting it. Besides, it should mention specifications regarding the temperature, humidity, etc. of the place of storage.
Emergency Safety Measures: Your inventory should provide complete information regarding dealing with the chemical in case of medical emergencies, fire, accidents, leakage, etc. It should contain safety notes for doctors, firefighters, and other such people who would be called in to help.
Regulatory Information: Legal information regarding the usage of the chemical should be given in the safety sheet. Along with this, the vendor may provide any other information he deems necessary.
Check for these items in your MSDS to ensure safety of workers and equipment.
