Material Safety Data Sheet: OSHA Requirements

The recommended format and the most used is the ANSI MSDS, but the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) categories are the minimum and the legally enforceable. Most of MSDS are using the ANSI format but if you find an OSHA MSDS these is what you will find in it.

Let’s use the MSDS of the ACETONE
 

Section I. Manufacturer's Name and Contact Information 

 

General Information about the substance such as chemical formula and common names.

Section II. Hazardous Ingredients 

 

All the ingredients in the composition of the substance must be listed, especially the carcinogens agents that are required to be listed at levels of 0.1% or greater.

Section III. Physical and Chemical Characteristics

 

All the information about boiling and freezing points, volatility and more.

Section IV. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data 

Everything about the potential fire hazard of the chemical, and the conditions under it could ignite or explode. Also like in the ANSI MSDS, some firefighting methods are listed aswell.

Section V. Reactivity Data
 


Other substances that the chemical wont be compatible or could react with, along with some  proper storage conditions.

Section VI. Health Hazards 

 


Everything about the Health hazards of the compound, any symptoms depending on the route of entry on the body.

Section VII. Precautions for Safe Handling and Use / First Aid Procedures 

Section dedicated to ensure the chemical will be stored and handled with the proper procedures and precautions. Be sure to know that this section is very important for insurance companies so you better do everything its said in this part.

In some types of MSDS this section is dedicated to the first aid procedures that must be followed in case of an incident involving a person.

Section VIII. Control Measures

 


Further safety instructions like personal protective equipment.

Material Safety Data Sheet: ANSI Requirements

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a more detailed format for the MSDS, this one is the most common, I found a nice website where you can find pretty much the MSDS of any substance: MSDS DATA BASE

Here i'll describe what kind of information you can find in these type of MSDS using the Benzene.

Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification

 This section provides the Chemical name of the substance, along with the manufacturer contact information and Emergency numbers.

Section 2 - Composition, Information on ingredients

 

Gives a list of the ingredients of the substance, the composition and CAS and other registry numbers.

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

This is an important section, it lists all the possible health effects and hazards such as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Teratogenic Effects; it also lists information about the toxicity and the symptoms after ingestion or inhalation.

This is one of the section that you MUST read before handling any Reagents on the Lab, there are many of them that can be a carcinogenic risk and you couldn't be aware of the danger.

Section 4 - First Aid Measures

This section gives instructions on what to do if any kind of exposure might have occur such as skin or eye contact, inhalation or ingestion and in some cases it includes instructions to medical professionals.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures 

Fire being one of the most common reasons of accidents, this MSDS has a section about the possibility of the substance catching on fire, also describes the explosive properties and instructions on how to avoid and how to fight the fire involving this substance.

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures

Important information if any spill or leak happens, how to proceed with the clean-up process. It may contain some safety precautions.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage 

 All the information about storage and handling practices, showing the best ways to keep the chemical safe from spilling, leaks or any other danger like fire or un-wanted human contact. Some insurance companies will require you comply with all the requirements on this section and section 6.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection 

This section is dedicated to give information about how to prevent any kind of exposure to the substance with the required Persona Protective Clothing and Equipment

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical properties 

This section is self explanatory, it provides all the Chemical and Physical information such as boiling point, color or odor. This might help you identify any kind of danger.

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity 

 

Important section to be aware of any potential hazardous reaction of the substance

Section 11 - Toxicological Information 

Further information about health hazards, Tested Toxicology and the outcome of these tests.

Section 12 - Ecological Information 

This section provides information about environmental hazards in case if the substance is spilled outside the Lab.

Section 13 - Disposal Considerations

The proper procedures when it comes the time to dispose any sub products or the substance itself.

Section 14 - Transport Information

 

Important information when it comes to transport the substance, every transportation company will ask you this before accepting any contract.

Section 15 - Regulatory Information

Every country has different regulation regarding any substance, this section will provide any available information about regulations in other States or Countries.

Section 16 - Other Information 

Section mainly used for MSDS related information.

Laboratory Reagents: Safety first

I know that once you are in a Lab, the first thing that comes to your mind is start mixing things and watch chemical reactions; I've been there but trust me, its important to know what type of chemicals you are dealing with in case something goes wrong.

Every laboratory must keep the MSDS (Material Safety Data sheet) of every single one of the reagents they use. This sheet has all the important data regarding the properties of a particular substance.

Now i will talk about what kind of information can be found on the MSDS; depending on the regulations and laws of every country, each MSDS has specific requirements, the next part is a General description of the MSDS form.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) MUST be used by any chemical manufacturers, resellers and every one that will have a direct contact with the substance, this to be aware of the physical and health hazards that these chemicals might present such as flammability, flashpoint, carcinogenicity, poison hazard, etc.

Like i said depending on the regulation the MSDS might present different sections.

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) requires the following sections on every MSDS:

• Manufacturer's Name and Contact Information
• Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information
• Physical/Chemical Characteristics
• Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
• Reactivity Data 
• Health Hazard Data
• Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
• Control Measures

 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a slightly different format.

• Chemical Product & Company Information
• Composition/Information on Ingredients
• Hazards Identification
• First Aid Measures
• Fire Fighting Measures
• Accidental Release Measures
• Handling and Storage
• Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
• Physical and Chemical Properties
• Stability and Reactivity
• Toxicological Information
• Ecological Information
• Disposal Considerations
• Transport Information
• Regulatory Information
• Other Information

Stay tuned, ill explain more about each section of the MSDS.

Types of Chemical Reactions

I’ve been pretty busy these past weeks and I’m sorry for not being able to help everyone who has e-mailed me for help, Don't worry I'll respond to every single one of you. University has taken a lot of time from me, but I'm still alive if anyone was wondering :).

Now let’s get back to business, I've had a few questions about the Chemical Reactions, there are many types of reactions but most can be place into similar categories, depending on the characteristics of the Reaction. Here i present the ones that come up in my mind, I'm sure there are a lot more, but i hope these ones help you guys with your high school homework (expecting its not too late Mark & Richard)

• Synthesis

This is when 2 or more compounds combine forming a more complex product:

A + B → AB 

• Decomposition

This can be considered as the opposite of the Synthesis Reaction, when a compound is broken into less complex compounds.

AB → A + B 

 

• Combustion

This can be the most recognized reaction, happens when a combustible material in addition to Oxygen generates heat forming Carbon dioxide and water (most common products).

Combustible Material +  O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

• Single Displacement

A substitution or single displacement reaction happens when 1 single element is replaced (displaced) by another element.

A + BC → AC + B 

• Double Displacement

In a double displacement 2 elements on different compounds switch places.

AB + CD → AD + CB 

• Acid-Base

This reaction happens when the H⁺ ion of an acid reacts with the OH^- ion of a Base. Generally forming water and a salt.

HA + BOH → H₂O + BA

• Oxidation-Reduction

Also known as a Redox reaction, in these reactions the oxidation numbers of the elements involved change, while 1 element is being oxidized, other is reducted.

These are the most common, but like i said there are more.

Periodic Table Review: Los Alamos Laboratory

This Table is very simple and basic, you can find it in color and Black/White presentations and the best of all, it is in high Resolution so you can print it.
To download the printable version click here.

Features

This is like any basic table but with one more feature: Electronic Configurations

• Name of Element
• Symbol
• Atomic Mass
• Atomic Number
• ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION

One thing to notice is that his table does have a the group numbers, but doesn't have the Period numbers.

It has references for the colors of the Elements and their aggregation state, but as you might noticed it does not provide information about the color of the Element types such as noble gases or Alkaline or Transition metals.

I wouldn't recommend this table to students starting to learn chemistry but it is good for those going through Inorganic introduction and Electronic Configuration.

Laboratory Glassware: Erlenmeyer Flasks

Another common and useful Glassware found on the lab is the Erlenmeyer Flask, why is it called this way?, this is thanks to its creator: Emil Erlenmeyer.

Here is a picture of the original drawing made by Emil of his invention.

CHARACTERISTICS

The shape of this flask is very unique, and easy to distinguish from other glassware, it has a narrow neck and a flat bottom. The lips are rounded on most Flasks.


And like most Glassware it is made of Pyrex or Borosilicate Glass. The capacity is wide aswell, there are Erlenmeyer Flasks of 50, 150, 250, 500 and 1000 mL.

USES

Personally i find this Flask one of the most useful Glassware in a Lab, its good to mix substances as its easy to shake without fearing of spilling chemicals around thanks to its narrow neck. And trust me there is no way to spill anything if you shake it in the correct way, no matter how hard you do it :). It is also used on titrations.


Good to hold volatile chemicals, as you can easily seal the Flask with cork or stopper, a watch glass, paraffin film or Tin foil on top of it preventing harmful vapors being spread in the air, even if not covered the narrow neck has a slow evaporative loss compared with a larger neck like the Beaker.


More Laboratory Glassware 

Laboratory Glassware: Beakers

Let’s start with one of the most common materials found on the Lab, a Beaker.

CHARACTERISTICS

A beaker is a cylindrical glass container, most have a small spout to help pouring. They can be found in many sizes.
The most common have 250 mL. of capacity, and as i said they are made of glass, mostly borosilicate glass (also called Pyrex), this material is very resistant to heat and makes it perfect for boiling substances.


Besides the common capacity these Beakers can be found in capacities like: 50, 100, 150, 500, 1000 and 2000 mL. Every glassware on the lab has specifications on the side, such as Temperature of calibration.

USES

These beakers have many purposes and can be used for mixing, stirring, measuring or boiling substances.
Although its not recommended to use it to measure substances, because the student can incur in mistakes in this procedure and its better to use a Graduated Cylinder. This beakers have a rough scale that can go from 0-50-100 or bigger ranges, making them not practical for measurement procedures.


 Be careful when boiling or heating, as i said be sure the Beaker is made of Borosilicate glass; one of the most common reasons for this material to break is the mistake of laying the Hot Beaker on a Cold surface such as the tiles on the lab.
 
More Laboratory Glassware 

Chemistry Laboratory Glassware Material and Equipment

One of the main reasons I decided to study chemistry was the opportunity to be at a laboratory, experimenting with chemicals.
But soon i realized that i wasn't going to do any real science for some months, until i had learnt all the basics for Laboratory Experiments, that is safety rules and everything about the Lab Materials.
At first i was disappointed, i hate 100% theory lessons or have to learn a bunch of long rules, but years later after some accidents that I've had on the lab, I can assure you they are VERY important and essential.

You need to learn about EVERY material and equipment, how to handle and its purpose on the Lab. Here is the list of the most common materials that can be found on a Lab. I’ll be filling out all the information about them.

Chemistry Lab Glassware

• Beakers
• Boiling Flasks
• Burettes
• Erlenmeyer Flasks
• Graduated Cylinders
• Test tubes
• Volumetric Flasks
• Pipettes

Of course there are many more, including the equipment necessary like thermometers, Bunsen burners, etc. Stay tuned for more information about each one.