Material Safety Data Sheets

On-Line MSDS References

UCSB EH&S Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets provide information concerning chemical and physical dangers, safety procedures and emergency response techniques for all products, used in the workplace, that contain hazardous chemicals.

All Material Safety Data Sheets contain the following sections:

  1. Materials Identification
    • the chemical name (by formula, chemical family and trade name)
    • the manufacturer's name and address
    • emergency or information phone numbers
    • date prepared
  2. Hazardous Ingredients
    • chemical's hazardous components in mixtures such as paints, alloys, etc.
    • the chemical's common names
    • recommended safe exposure limits
    • 8 hour worker exposure limits (indicating the average amount of a chemical to which one can safely be exposed over an 8-hour shift)
  3. Physical and Chemical Characteristics
    • information about the chemical's apearance and physical properties needed for determining hazards in different work situations
  4. Physical Hazards
    • the potential risk of fire and explosion
    • emergency response techniques (i.e., fire fighting equipment and procedures)
  5. Reactivity
    • chemical stability - what could happen if combined with other chemicals, with water, or with air (important for spill cleanups, storage, etc.)
  6. Health Hazards
    • ways the chemical can enter the body (inhalation, ingestion, and/or through the skin)
    • possible health hazards (acute and chronic)
    • exposure symptoms and first aid procedures
    • whether or not the chemical is classified as a carcinogen
  7. Precautions for Handling
    • procedures for spills, leaks, or other releases
    • disposal guidelines
    • handling and sto8/8/02">8/8/02r spill cleanup and leaks
  8. Control Measures
    • necessary protective equipment (i.e., gloves, eye protection, respirator, ventilation, and/or protective clothing)
    • work and hygiene practices