Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDS)
Introduction to MSDSs

 A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a universal standardised document that contains
health and safety information pertaining to a particular chemical or chemical compound. 
 These sheets contain the chemical properties, health, and environmental protection
measures as well as safety precautions for the storing, handling, and transporting of
chemicals.
 The International Hazard Communication Standard
(HCS)

 The International Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) mandates that chemical manufacturers must
communicate a chemical’s hazard information to chemical handlers by providing a Safety Data Sheet.
 The HCS sets out a globally harmonised standard (GHS), that was developed by the United Nations. These
guidelines were created to ensure the safe manufacturing, handling, use, disposal, and transport of hazardous
materials. The GHS system is used to:
 Classify chemical data and hazard criteria.
 Identify a chemical's health, physical, and environmental hazards.
 Provide chemical manufacturers and distributors with a well-defined system to communicate a chemical's
hazard information and protective measures.
 All ship crew must have access to safety data sheets for all of the hazardous chemicals they handle. Ship
management systems may fulfil this requirement in a variety of ways. 
 For example, MSDS binders are quite common as are computer-based MSDS databases. What’s important is
that the crew have ready access to the safety data sheets for all of the chemicals that they are using. The
online MSDS databases have a clear advantage over binder-based systems since the database vendor usually
takes care of indexing and updating the safety data sheets, but this must be accessible on the vessel at all
times so paper-based systems may still be used.
 SDS Structure and Format
 Safety data sheets have sixteen sections. 
 The early sections, one through eight, focus on quick access to essential information that might be required
by chemical handlers for safe handling practices or by emergency response personnel. 
 Sections nine through eleven contain technical and scientific data, e.g., stability, reactivity, and physical and
chemical properties. 
 Sections twelve through fifteen are not mandatory; however, they are required to be fully GHS compliant. 
 The last section, section sixteen, contains information about the SDS itself, e.g., the revision date and
changes since the last version.
 MSDS Layout
 As we learned in the previous step, there are sixteen categories of information that must be present on an MSDSs worldwide.
These categories are specified under flag Government regulations and must include:
 Product Identification.
 Hazards.
 Composition of Ingredients.
 First Aid Measures.
 Fire Fighting Measures.
 Accidental Release Measures.
 Handling and Storage.
 Exposure and Personal Protection.
 Physical and Chemical Properties.
 Stability and Reactivity Data.
 Toxicological Properties.
 Ecological Information.
 Disposal Considerations.
 Transport Information.
 Regulatory Information.
 Other Notes.
Sections of the MSDS

 Product Identification
 The names and other designations of the chemical as well as the company details of the compiler of the datasheet.
 Hazards
 The IMDG classifications for the chemical including the hazard statements such as flammable, corrosive, irritant,
and so on. There may also be cautionary notes on how to react to contact with this chemical.
 Composition of Ingredients
 These will be the concentrations of various elements or compounds within the chemical. It should be noted that
this may be vague in the context of manufactured chemicals where the concentrations are considered patent or
trade secrets. 
 First Aid Measures
 General advice for the treatment of injuries related to contact with the chemical if it is known to cause harm to
humans. This section should cover contact with skin, eyes, and other body parts as well as inhalation or ingestion
if necessary.
 Fire Fighting Measures
 Information relating to the flash, flame, and auto-ignition temperatures of the chemical as well as
precautionary measures to be taken in the event of needing to extinguish a fire.
 Accidental Release Measures
 Any requirements for spill clean-up that may be necessary such as chemicals that may well neutralise the
effects to the environment or methods of picking up the chemical such as mixing with sand.
 Handling and Storage
 Advice for containers and stowage positions so that the chemical is as protected as possible. This will be to
prevent the degradation of the chemical as well as the storage containers.
 Exposure and Personal Protection
 An important section that details the minimum Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Personal
Protective Clothing (PPC) requirements for safe handling or interaction with the chemical. These
requirements should be capable of being met by the crew before they are allowed to move, clean up spills,
or otherwise deal with the chemical in any way.
 Physical and Chemical Properties
 This section provides the characteristics of the chemical in its regular ambient state as well as defining
features such as odour, colour, or other similar identification points.
 Stability and Reactivity Data
 This information can be used to determine how best to transport the chemical and crucially when to
segregate it from other chemicals that may well react with it.
 Toxicological Properties
 Information pertaining to the effect of the chemical on human physiology. This may well be lacking in data
for newer chemicals as they are unable to be tested on humans for possible toxic effects. As such, chemicals
with no data may well still be toxic to humans and should be treated as such unless otherwise specifically
stated in this section.
 Ecological Information
 The toxic nature of the chemical to marine environments and aquatic organisms will be detailed here along
with any particular notes on the persistence of the chemical to remain a pollutant. 
 Disposal Considerations
 Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical is classified as hazardous waste.
Chemical waste generators must also consult local, regional, and national hazardous waste regulations to
ensure complete and accurate classification so that the waste is disposed of correctly.
 Transport Information
 This is the proper shipping name for the chemical as well as UN numbers and other details that relate to the
IMDG Code and classifications for transport.
 Regulatory Information
 This section will be broken down by country or trading region (such as the EU) with regard to regulatory
restrictions. These can include weight, volume, or other restrictions or even an outright ban on transportation
in some areas.
 Other Notes
 Any other notes that are not covered by the other sections.
QUESTION
 MSDSs are issued for groups of chemicals and never
for individual chemical substances. Is this statement
true or false?

A-TRUE
B-FALSE
B-FALSE
 The concentration (exact percentages) of each
ingredient must be specified except when a trade
secret claim is made and in such cases, concentration
ranges may be used instead. Is this statement True or
False?

A-TRUE
B-FALSE
A-TRUE
Which of the following is NOT a category that is required on
an MSDS?

A-Composition of Ingredients.
B-Toxicological Properties.
C-Fire Fighting Measures.
D-Uses of the Chemical.
D-Uses of the Chemical.
Which of the following is NOT an objective of the
Global Harmonised Standard?

A-Provide chemical manufacturers and distributors with a well-defined system to communicate a chemical's
hazard information and protective measures.
B-Classify chemical data and hazard criteria.
C-Prevent chemicals from being hazardous to humans.
D-Identify a chemical's health, physical, and environmental hazards.
C-Prevent chemicals from being hazardous to humans.
 Which standard sets out the requirements for
MSDSs?

A-SOLAS.
B-International Helping Communication Standart.
C-International Hazard Communication Standard.
D-The IMDG Code.
C-International Hazard Communication Standard.
 All crew should have access to the MSDS of any
chemical carried on board. Is this statement true or
false?

A-FALSE
B-TRUE
B-TRUE