Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
When you want to ship dangerous or non-dangerous goods, you will need a document to ensure your cargo can be transported using the chosen container. The document is called Material Safety Data Sheets. Inside the document, you will find details about your cargo, how to handle them, emergency procedures, etc. Let's dive deeper into this matter.
What's on the Inside?
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), also known as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), are a form used to track and document shipping content. Some cargo is hazardous and requires many precautions and loading preparations.
MSDS has them in detail, so make sure you are prepared. Here is the entire section of what’s inside the sheets.
Identification: contain the product name, synonyms (other names), and the manufacturer/company that wants to ship it, including their emergency contacts.
Hazards Identification: classification of the substance, the hazards, and precautions, and sometimes includes a pictogram to make it easier to understand.
Composition: contains the ingredients of the substance.
First-aid Measures: This section provides instructions and symptoms if the substance is ever contacted, inhaled, or ingested.
Fire Fighting Measures: ways to handle a fire if it happens and the proper extinguishing agents.
Accidental Release Measures: actions to take in case hazardous chemicals spill or leak, including containment and clean-up.
Handling and Storage: safe handling practices, storage conditions, and incompatible materials.
Personal Protection: recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, goggles, and respirators.
Physical and Chemical Properties: properties like appearance, pH, flammability, and boiling point.
Stability and Reactivity: conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, and potential hazardous decomposition products.
Toxicological Information: potential health effects, including acute and chronic toxicity.
Ecological Information: environmental impacts, such as aquatic life and soil toxicity.
Disposal Considerations: proper disposal methods and waste management practices.
Transport Information: contain UN number, IMO number, packaging class
Regulatory Information: relevant regulations and legal requirements.
Other Information: additional information such as revision date and glossary.
There is so much information concluded in one file just to make sure your cargo does not fall into the hazardous category. This clearly shows that MSDSs are essential. They ensure the safety of everyone and the safety of your workplace. That's why it is crucial to know what kind of dangerous goods you bring and the procedures to ship or store them. It ensures compliance and promotes safe handling.
Why MSDS are Important
Almost every shipment needs an MSDS to help the shipper classify your cargo. With it in hand, the shipper can adhere to proper packaging for the cargo that will be shipped. It would also help to check the type of goods, as there's a lot of classification for each dangerous good. MSDS will help determine if your shipment includes any hazardous materials that need special handling.
For example, there’s a way to handle accidental release measures if it happens. In personal protection, it can tell you what to wear to be safe and minimize the risk of contact with the chemical. On firefighting measures, there is extinguisher media, special hazards arising from the chemicals, and advice to firefighters due to different types of dangerous goods. Like ethanol, for example, it needs alcohol-resistant foam to extinguish it because it is highly flammable.
If we fail to comply with these regulations, some can result in fines, legal penalties, and even criminal charges in some cases. Additionally, using hazardous chemicals without proper information and safety measures can lead to accidents, injuries, and health problems for workers, the public, and the environment.
Some companies that need MSDS are chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors. One such company is Silkargo Logistics. We use T11 ISO tanks to ship DG and non-DG liquids and to ensure the safety of the tanks and our workers, we use MSDSs before every shipment.
Validity
MSDS documents have different validity periods in different countries. For example, they are valid for 5 years in Singapore and 3 years in Canada. In Europe, however, their validity is determined by their ongoing compliance with current regulations rather than a fixed expiration date.
Sometimes, revision is needed. Safety data sheet revisions are necessary whenever new information about the product becomes available. This includes updates to hazard classifications, restrictions, or authorizations. Revised safety data sheets must be sent to all recipients within the past 12 months, free of charge, and should indicate the date of the most recent update. Additionally, the first page should display the compilation date, a version number, and information about the superseded version.
Key Points to Take
MSDS are essential documents that provide detailed information about a substance's properties, hazards, and safe handling procedures. They ensure worker safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance. MSDSs also have different validity periods with different regulations. Some might take years, and some need to be revised every time new information becomes available. By utilizing and understanding this information, businesses can prioritize safety, protect the environment, and comply with regulations.
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