MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
SOLID WASTE SECTION
WHAT IS A MATERIAL SAFETY DATA III. Hazardous Ingredients: Provides a list of
hazardous chemicals. Depending on the state, the
SHEET (MSDS)? list may
A Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS, is a document that contain all
provides information about the hazards of a chemical or chemical
product. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health ingredients
Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard even if they
(29 CFR 1910.1200) requires manufacturers or distributors are not
of chemicals to issue MSDSs with the first shipment of any hazardous, or
hazardous chemical product, and the employer is only those
responsible for having them available to all workers. chemical
MSDS’s vary in style and content, but manufacturers must ingredients
communicate certain information to the purchaser for which have
workers safety. OSHA
standards.
WHO IS THE MSDS FOR? Since
The MSDS is designed to provide both workers and chemicals are often known by different names, all
emergency personnel common (trade) names should be listed. The
with the proper OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and
procedures for Threshold Value Limit (TLV) are listed in this
handling or working section.
with a particular
substance. In IV. Physical/Chemical Characteristic:
addition to giving Examples are vapor density, vapor pressure, flash
information about the point, flammable limits, boiling point, melting
nature of a chemical, point etc. Common parameters such as color,
MSDS’s also provide appearance and odor, will help identify the product
guidance to working and bring attention to a chemical that may be
safely with a decomposing.
chemical, how to store
it and what to do if
there is an accidental V. Fire and Explosion Hazards: The fire
spill. hazards (flammable or combustible) of the chemical
and the conditions under which it could ignite or
explode must be identified. Also informs you of the
COMPONENTS OF A TYPICAL MSDS: lowest temperature when the chemical could catch
I. Chemical Identity: The chemical and common fire (flash point). Fire fighting methods and
extinguishing agent of choice should be listed.
name(s) must be provided for each chemical.
II. Manufacturer’s Information: Name, address, VI. Reactivity Data: This should explain how
certain materials react with other when mixed or
phone number and emergency phone number of
stored together. Describes conditions like heat and
the manufacturer.
water, than can cause the chemical to react. The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 502 E. 9th St. Des Moines, IA 50319 | (515) 725-8200
www.iowadnr.gov
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
SOLID WASTE SECTION
chemical is called “incompatible” or “unstable” in
these conditions.
VII. Health Hazards: This section describes the
health effects (acute=immediate: chronic= long FACT
term), and the primary routes of exposure such as
An MSDS is not required by law to list any carcinogenic
inhalation, ingestion, skin, or eyes. This section
components under 0.1% and non-carcinogenic
should also list the symptoms of exposure that
components under 1%. This should be taken into
could occur from acute or chronic exposure, along
consideration for disposal.
with first aid procedures.
WHERE CAN YOU GET AN MSDS?
VIII. Precautions for Safe Handling and Use: At your workplace; all workers must have easy access to
This section will provide guidance in case of them.
material spill or leak. Information regarding safe
The employer must request them from the distribution
handling and storage must be included. Sometimes
that sold the materials: workers can also request them.
there will be proper disposal information listed in
this section.
IX. Control measures: Control measures are those
LABELING OF CHEMICALS
Labels on purchased chemicals must include:
taken to protect individuals from exposure. These
The common name of the chemical
include engineering controls, type of
and emergency phone number of the company
respiration/filter to use, personal protective
responsible The name, address for the product
equipment (PPE), and special information
An appropriate hazard warning. The warning may be a
necessary to prevent exposure.
single word such as “danger”, “warning” or “caution”
or may identify the primary hazard, both physical (i.e.,
water reactive, flammable or explosive) and health (i.e.,
carcinogen, corrosive, or irritant).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Call NIOSH, toll free at (800) 359-4674 for information
about chemical identities and health effects.
Call your State OSHA or Federal OSHA if the MSDS
information is not accurate or you seek more guidance.
Material Safety Data sheets can be found online.
You have the right to know!
Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 502 E. 9th St. Des Moines, IA 50319 | (515) 725-8200
www.iowadnr.gov
