Hazard Sections MSDS
Sections 3, 4, 5 of the MSDS are usually the most important sections with which to be familiar.
PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6
Sections of a Material Safety Data Sheet
Below is a listing of what each ANSI standard Z400.1 compliant MSD Sheet section usually contains. Sections 3, 4, and 5 are usually the most important for you to be familiar with, although you should review the entire sheet as a standard practice. These sections detail the hazards identification, first aid measures, and fire fighting measures specific to the product.
If you have any questions or concerns after reviewing the information contained within an MSD Sheet, please feel free to contact CVCC Director of Human Resources at ext. 4278. We want you to be informed about your workplace, so please, if you are uncertain about any issue, call us. If we don't know the answer we will find it.
Section 1: Chemical product and company identification
This section will usually provide the chemical name or family description and the manufacturer's address, regular business phone number, and emergency phone numbers. This section may also reference additional sources of information as may be appropriate.
Section 2: Composition and/or Information on Hazardous Ingredients
This section will usually provide the chemical formula(s) if available (trade name products such as WD-40 will not usually list their chemical formulas since they are considered secrets or the major components of the product). It will also detail any exposure limits that may have been established for the product, or components of the product.
Section 3: Hazards Identification, Including Emergency Overview
This section will usually provide an emergency overview and the adverse effects of overexposure to the product. The emergency overview may contain items which will help you identify the product should a spill or other accident occur. For example, the emergency review sub-section might list the appearance and the odor of the product. The sub-section that deals with adverse effects of overexposure will usually list known and unknown Acute and Chronic health effects (including symptoms) for routes of entry or exposure, such as:
- Eyes
- Skin
- Inhalation
- Ingestion
- Other transport mechanisms suspected or known
Section 4: First Aid Measures
This section will usually provide the first aid measures to be taken (if any) in case of accidental overexposure to the product. Usually these measures are listed in the same manner as the health effects. Additionally, this section may also contain instructions to medical personnel.
Section 5: Fire-fighting Measures
This section details specific fire-fighting measures to be used in case of fire, including the media to be used in fighting the fire (e.g. water, carbon dioxide (CO2), or dry chemical extinguishers). Also listed will be the product's flash-point and other details about the product's flammability and situations (temperature or incompatible chemicals) to avoid to prevent ignition of the product. It may also contain special instructions to fire fighting personnel.
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
This section will usually provide steps to take to minimize the effects of an accidental release of the product to the environment. It will include any special procedures or precautions to take when attempting to contain and clean up the release. It may list any emergency numbers to call in case of accidental release.
Section 7: Handling and Storage
This section will usually provide precautions to take when handling and storing the product. It will also detail what situations to avoid when working with the product.
Section 8: Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
This section will usually provide practices or equipment (or both) to be used while using or working around the product that can minimize worker exposure. Additionally, information may be provided on exposure guidelines and personal protective equipment (e.g. goggles, gloves, or aprons).
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
This section will usually provide additional information on the characterization of the product (appearance, odor, taste as examples) and other information that can be used to design a safe working environment when using the product.
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
This section will usually provide information on what incompatible chemicals as well as other situations or reactions that will change the product's structure or stability. It may also contain reaction product information.
Sections 11-16
These sections may or may not be present on your selected MSD Sheet. Some sections may be included, but their section numbers will not be exactly the same as those listed below, although they will usually be in the order specified below even if the numbers are different (for example, section 12's data may not exist on your sheet, so section 13, if present, becomes section 12).
Here is a complete listing of the remaining 6 sections and a brief description of the information found in each.
- Section 11: Toxicological Information - Used to provide any known toxicological information on the product, components, or both.
- Section 12: Ecological Information - Used to provide information on the product's (or is component's) effect on plants or animals and on the product's ultimate environmental disposition.
- Section 13: Disposal Considerations - Used to provide information pertinent to determining how to best dispose of the product.
- Section 14: Transport Information - Used to provide basic shipping information. If you wish to ship material off-campus, please contact Personnel BEFORE SHIPPING at 278 to be sure your proposed methods do not violate any state or federal regulation.
- Section 15: Regulatory Information - May list any additional regulatory information which may apply to use, disposal, or transportation (or other issues) of the product.
- Section 16: Other Information - Can contain any information not specifically covered in the preceding 15 sections.
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