MSDS
MSDS stands for Material safety data sheets.
Material Safety Data Sheets is a document that contains important information about a hazardous chemical, which could but a dangerous good or a hazardous substance. The document must state: - The product name of the hazardous substance - The name of the chemical and other generic names of certain ingredients - Precautions of handling the hazardous substance. - Health hazard information - The manufactures or importers name and details (address, phone number and e.t.c.) |
What is a Hazardous Substances?
Hazardous Substances are those which may have an adverse effect on the health of people in both the short and long term. Hazardous Substances are classified and dealt with under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 in the ACT.
Businesses and workers using substances in the workplace will normally identify hazardous substances from the supplier's label and MSDS. Hazardous substances are classified by the manufacturer or importer in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances. Substances which have an exposure standard listed in the Adopted National Exposure Standards For Atmospheric Contaminants In The Occupational Environment may also be considered hazardous substances. |
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires businesses to provide a healthy and safe working environment, safe plant and equipment, health and safety information along with training, adequate safety clothing and equipment.
It also requires suppliers of hazardous substances to provide adequate information to businesses of any health and safety risks associated with the use of the product, and indicate what control measures are needed to eliminate such risks to employees.
The Act requires workers to use all personal protective equipment in a correct and safe manner (as instructed by the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU)) and to co-operate with the PCBU to fulfill their duties and not to endanger themselves or others.
It also requires suppliers of hazardous substances to provide adequate information to businesses of any health and safety risks associated with the use of the product, and indicate what control measures are needed to eliminate such risks to employees.
The Act requires workers to use all personal protective equipment in a correct and safe manner (as instructed by the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU)) and to co-operate with the PCBU to fulfill their duties and not to endanger themselves or others.
Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods classification is different from hazardous substance classification, in particular, because it does not consider adverse effects from long term exposure. Classification is done using the United Nations Global Harmonised System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
In many cases substances may be both a hazardous substance and a dangerous good, although this can be for differing properties of the substance. A substance classified under both systems will require familiarity with duties and obligations under both sets of legislation. These are generally designed to be complimentary.
There is now ACT legislation which covers the transport of dangerous goods by road where multiple parties have individual liability for transport in accordance with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.
In many cases substances may be both a hazardous substance and a dangerous good, although this can be for differing properties of the substance. A substance classified under both systems will require familiarity with duties and obligations under both sets of legislation. These are generally designed to be complimentary.
There is now ACT legislation which covers the transport of dangerous goods by road where multiple parties have individual liability for transport in accordance with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.
MSDS (Example)
It’s very important that everyone in the workplace is able to access and know how to read and interpret the Material Safety Data Sheet.