Hazardous Materials

The MSDS Sheet

This week we should look at hazardous materials training. More importantly we will look at one reference to be used in determining the identification issue of a hazardous material incident.

There are many good references for handling hazardous materials incident and the MSDS is only one of them. I have consistently recommended that you check a minimum of three sources of information and should check at least five.

I am choosing the MSDS for a lot of reasons. It is generally found and in many cases required to be present where chemicals are used. It may in fact be the most readily available if the incident occurs at a fixed facility.

In terms of information received I think if the incident commander is able to interpret it correctly it can be one of the more valuable.

For the purposes of this drill, get some of your MSDS sheets from your station. ( I certainly hope you have them present for any cleaners or materials you use around there! The requirement is for us also!)

Ask the crew some very basic questions that they should be able to determine by using the sheet. Does the material float, are vapors heavier than air, what is the right DOT guide number, what is the emergency number to call for information.

After they have reviewed the sheets in an attempt to answer all those questions, review all of the following key points with them.

* As a minimum the MSDS sheet will have 10 parts or sections.

* If you are handed a multi page MSDS the first thing is to review and make sure you have all of these component parts or you could be basing your decision on Incomplete info.

Lets look at each primary section and a very brief description of what each might tell you:

Chemical product and Company Information

The actual chemical name and the manufacturer name of the chemical is located here. The company should provide n address and contact information. They are required to put a 24 hour emergency contact number as well, but this is often the Chemtrec number.

Chemical Composition

The ingredients are listed here but can be eliminated if trade secret information is involved. It can indicate some of the hazards and will give vague percentages in some cases.

Hazard Identification

Emergency response information can be found here. These will include exposure information and might even include PPE information

Physical and Chemical Properties

If you know what you are looking for and how to interpret the information, then this section is invaluable. It will list boiling points, vapor density, solubility, specific gravity and all other properties.

Stability and Reactivity

Will the material polymerize, will it react to water, sunlight and other issues. Does it oxidize readily or in combination with other materials.

Toxicology Information

The IDLH and LD50 and LC 50 acute and chronic exposure information is listed here.

Ecological Information

Any information regarding the potential environmental concerns would be found here.

Disposal Considerations

Proper disposal concerns, regulations and requirements will be listed here.

Transport Information

The DOT guidelines, class number and placarding information can be found here.

Regulatory Information

The information on regulations and agencies that regulate this material can be found in this section.

As you can see the information contained on an MSDS sheet will clearly be more than the generalities from the DOT guidebook.

It should not be your only tool, but it should be one you and your crew should be familiar with before you are trying to read one at two in the morning in the rain.

Look over a few sheets, explain each section, and see what questions the troops will ask.