What is MSDS? Uses and Functions of MSDS
What is MSDS? Uses and Functions of MSDS
MSDS is a familiar term in the field of import and export of goods, especially import and export of food and chemical products.
So what is MSDS? What are the uses and functions? Let’s find out information about MSDS with World Courier in the following article.
What is MSDS?
What is MSDS or what does MSDS stand for are questions of many people today. Accordingly, MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet and means chemical safety instruction sheet.
MSDS is a document containing information about certain chemical substances, to help workers understand and be proactive when exposed to these substances. This will help ensure personal safety and improve the ability to handle emergency situations when affected.
MSDSs are especially applicable to items that are potentially hazardous during transportation, handling, storage and other related activities. This chemical safety guide provides detailed instructions to help users avoid and handle risky situations that may arise from chemicals.
Therefore, when related to import and export of dangerous goods, businesses must present MSDS for review and confirmation of whether or not they can transport goods.
Uses and functions of MSDS
After knowing what an MSDS is , let’s review with Alpha Express some of the following uses and functions of MSDS:
- MSDS helps businesses propose appropriate measures for the goods transportation process, ensure safety when loading and unloading goods, and handle emergency situations quickly.
- The MSDS warns of the dangers of using materials and chemicals without following instructions during transportation and handling.
- MSDSs provide important information to workers on how to use materials and chemicals safely.
- Chemical safety guidance documents help businesses build a safe working environment, and are also a basis for training on labor procedures when exposed to materials and chemicals.
- MSDS provides complete information so people can respond to emergency situations, recognize signs of danger and handle them.
What is the content of the MSDS table?
The MSDS table includes the following contents:
Names of chemical ingredients
This document includes complete information about the chemical ingredients that make up the product and is marked to identify dangerous chemicals. Based on the CAS number (Chemical Abstracts Service – the characteristic number of each chemical substance) to accurately verify the chemical composition.
This is important because a chemical can be known by many different names, and the use of a CAS number helps ensure uniformity in the identification of chemical components.
Creator of MSDS
Contains full information of the person who created the MSDS, including name, address, phone number, date of creation of the MSDS,…
Product and commodity information
Includes documents and sales documents, with product information, ingredients, chemical formula and molecular weight that make up the product accurately recorded.
Rationality
State clearly what form the product is in, such as solid, liquid or gas. At the same time, display information such as product appearance, density, boiling point, volatility, pH,…
Flammability
Clearly state information about the temperature, fire and explosion conditions of the product and how to resolve when a fire or explosion occurs. In addition, there is also information on how to properly store, package and transport goods.
Product reaction
Information about how the chemical reacts to temperature, light and humidity. In addition, there is also some information about requirements for preserving, packaging and transporting the product and how to handle it when a chemical reaction occurs.
Toxicity
Information about the effects of toxic chemicals on exposed people and treatment measures in case of chemical poisoning through direct contact. Specifically, how to handle when workers come into contact with chemicals on the skin, eyes or when swallowed is also mentioned.
At the same time, evaluate the toxicity level of chemicals to the environment, including water, air and soil pollution, based on indicators released into the environment.