MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheets - Invaluable Tools for Knowledge and Protection!
Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS are invaluable tools, designed to help and assist workers and emergency personnel in handling contact with potentially toxic substances.
Many occupations, require people to work with or come in contact with substances on a regular basis which can be hazardous if not handled correctly. This is where MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets come in. They contain information outlining what type of protective gear should be worn when handling the substance, along with:
- Potential health effects from prolonged exposure
- First aid
- Level of toxicity
- Spill clean up and disposal procedures
Physical properties and characteristics like the boiling point, melting point, flash point, and reaction with other substances is also listed on the (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets. All this essential information is compiled by the manufacturer of the substance and MUST BE made available to those people who work with it on a regular basis.
Companies are required to keep and make Material Safety Data Sheets accessible for every toxic substance used by their employees in their facilities.
You might be wondering if any of this applies to the average person who may use potentially toxic substances on rare occasions and how much of a risk is involved. It’s true that the exposure level would not be as great for someone who only comes in contact with a substance such as, paint or paint thinner, once or twice a year as opposed to someone who uses it on a prolonged daily basis.
This does not mean that infrequent users should not take the same precautions when handling toxic substances. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for over 2 million different chemicals and are widely available on the internet. It is a good practice to familiarize yourself using Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for any type of toxic substance in your home and/or workplace.
Paint may seem harmless but prolonged exposure in an unventilated room, can cause serious reactions to occur. Pick a nice day to paint and open the windows to circulate air and move the fumes outside. Have a fan going to circulate the air as well will reduce the concentration in the room.
We often take for granted common toxic substances like paint thinner, gasoline, acetone, and other household chemicals. The Household Products Database has many Material Safety Data Sheets available for common household products. Use caution with any toxic substance - at work or at home.
MSDS information on toxic substances used in the workplace can be found at www.msds.com or www.msdsonline.com, and other MSDS vendor sites. The knowledge and information contained in (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets is essential in handling and using toxic substances safely and preventing potentially hazardous incidents from occurring.
