All employees, including student workers, are covered by the standard. Students enrolled in classes or working without compensation in laboratories must have access to material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and safety training during the course of their lab preparation. Check the reference shelf in each Introductory Biology teaching laboratory for a copy of the hazard manual with a set of material safety data sheets included.
Employees must be trained on the chemical hazards they may encounter in the workplace. At a minimum, training should include interpreting labels and material safety data sheets; acute and chronic health effects of exposure; hazardous chemical locations; handling procedures; personal protective equipment; first aid treatment; and clean-up and disposal guidelines.
WHAT IS A HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL?
A hazardous chemical is any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements or compounds that is a physical or health hazard. This manual includes hazard data on all chemicals used in the Introductory Biology laboratory exercises even though some may not be considered hazardous.
LABELING REQUIREMENTS
Labels are essential in communicating hazard data. Original, or primary, labels should not be removed from containers. The minimum information required on secondary chemical containers is the chemical name, date and hazard warning. Refer to material safety data sheets and/or primary labels whenever secondary containers are labeled prior to transferring a chemical. At no time should an unlabeled container be left unattended.
WHAT IS A MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)?
The OSHA standard specifies that employees must be provided with and taught to interpret material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for the chemicals they use. Among other things, MSDSs cover:
Chemical suppliers are required to provide MSDSs to their customers. However, the accuracy and organization of the data varies widely. MSDS formats are not standardized. This may cause delays in finding information during an emergency. To enable users to quickly find information, the MSDSs in the lab reference copies of the hazard manuals have been modified to fit a standard format (Accrocco 1988). Once you learn the format of one MSDS in the lab's reference manual, then you should be able to use the manual to easily find information for any other chemical used in the Introductory Biology lab program. Since material safety data sheets are technical documents, a glossary is included to help the user interpret the jargon. The online version of the hazard manual has links to online MSDS sheets for many of the chemicals used in the program. The online MSDS forms may not fit a standardized format, so be prepared to browse the sheets for relevant information. However the reference MSDS collection in the labs follow the format listed below.
THE HEADING:
The heading includes the name, address, contact person and telephone number of the company or companies that provided the data. It provides the date of issue (or date of most recent revision) and the chemical name.
SECTION 1. MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION:
This section lists all known names for the chemical.
SECTION 2. INGREDIENTS AND HAZARDS:
This section lists the percentage concentration of each hazardous chemical in a product. Hazardous ingredients to 1.0 % and carcinogens to 0.1% are listed. Established exposure limits are listed. For example, a TWA value of 100 ppm or 300 mg/m3 means the eight hour exposure limit to airborne concentrations of the chemical is 100 parts per million or 300 milligrams per cubic meter. Check these limits before working with a chemical so you can take appropriate protective measures.
Toxicity data is usually listed by LD50's. This is the lethal dose level for 50% of a test group of animals. For example, a rat oral LD50 value of 200 mg/kg means that 200 milligrams of the chemical per kilogram of rat body weight was the oral dose that killed 50% of a group of test rats. These data help establish possible hazard levels for humans.
SECTION 3. PHYSICAL DATA:
Physical data include a chemical's boiling point, water solubility, viscosity, specific gravity, melting point, evaporation rate, molecular weight, appearance, odor etc. This information allows the worker to predict chemical behavior under different conditions.
SECTION 4. FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA:
This section identifies protective equipment that must be used during a fire. It lists suitable extinguishing materials for a fire involving this chemical. Flammability information should be considered along with information in the sections on physical data and reactivity when evaluating the level of fire or explosion hazard a chemical may have.
SECTION 5. REACTIVITY DATA:
This section focuses on the materials and circumstances that may create a hazardous reaction when combined with the target chemical. It provides critical information for safe handling and storage of chemicals. Note any incompatibilities before working with any chemical.
SECTION 6. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION:
Hazardous chemical exposure may occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, eye contact and injection. This section describes the possible health effects for the various routes of entry. It includes acute (immediate) and chronic (longterm) effects and states if a material is carcinogenic. First aid treatments are listed for cases of accidental exposure.
Standard advice is to obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after an exposure. However, do not wait for professional help to take action. Quick, appropriate first aid can be the difference between a minor and a major injury. Chronic effects can be dangerous because damage may occur slowly and result in severe health problems later in life.
SECTION 7. SPILL DISPOSAL PROCEDURES:
This section provides information on handling spills, leaks and waste disposal. Disposal procedures should comply with federal, state and local regulations. This section helps workers plan emergency response procedures and arrange for equipment and waste disposal.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION:
This section describes how to reduce exposure. It covers room ventilation requirements, respiratory equipment and personal protective equipment. Instructions for caring or disposing of contaminated gear are presented. Section 8 specifies the precautions workers should take to safeguard their health. Cautions presented in a MSDS are legal requirements. Employer's are responsible for providing the safety equipment or working environment needed to prevent employee exposure to excessive chemical concentrations. It is the employee's responsibility to use the provided equipment.
SECTION 9. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND COMMENTS:
This section describes safe storage and handling methods for the material. It indicates labeling requirements for containers and describes the Department of Transportation (DOT) policies for handling the material.
Storage containers may corrode or leak. Sparks or heat may cause fires or explosions. Shipping or storing incompatible materials together may cause dangerous reactions. This section may emphasize particularly important hazard information. It may also include information that does not fit into the other MSDS sections.