| Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS are documents | | | | reactivity with the other substances. Guidelines are |
| that provide detailed information pertaining to any | | | | also laid down for the disposal of the chemical waste. |
| given chemical substance. The details that are | | | | The importance of MSDS cannot be understated. All |
| elaborated refer to the name of the substance and | | | | personnel involved in the production, storage, |
| its chemical compounds and mixtures, the risks that | | | | handling, and transportation of the chemical |
| might be associated with the substance, and the | | | | substances referred to, must be fully aware of the |
| various first aid measures that would be required to | | | | document that should be prominently displayed. The |
| combat these hazards. | | | | document must also accompany the substance when |
| Besides this, the documents detail the typical | | | | it is being transported. Therefore, in the case of an |
| measures that would be required for fighting a fire | | | | accident, the safety personnel would immediately be |
| that could erupt on account of the substance. In | | | | aware as to how the content inside production unit |
| case of any spillage, the MSDS gives the precautions | | | | should be handled safely. They would know about |
| that would need to be taken to control the effects | | | | the toxicity and ways to put out the fire. The |
| of the spill. The protective gear to be used is | | | | personnel would know of the protective gear to be |
| specified. The exposure limits are laid down in these | | | | worn and the specific hazards that might be |
| data sheets along with the toxicity of the substance | | | | associated with the dangerous substance. |
| and the extent to which it might be hazardous to the | | | | Some of the regulatory bodies for Material Safety |
| environment. | | | | Data Sheets include National Institute for Occupational |
| MSDS – Guiding advising Personnel to perform | | | | Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and |
| their task better | | | | Health Administration (OSHA) and Environment |
| Therefore, an MSDS serves as an effective guide | | | | Protection Agency (EPA). There are also some |
| advising personnel how to store, handle and transport | | | | competent agencies offering services of ‘Material |
| the chemical substance in a safe way. The document | | | | Safety Data Sheets authoring' for manufacturing units |
| also lists the physical properties such as the vapor | | | | operating in the US, Canada, Mexico and some other |
| pressure, the boiling point, the odor associated and its | | | | countries. |