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Example of how to check the classification of an MSDS by

using the ESL Safety Data Sheet Components Library

 



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The ESL chemical components Library can be used to check to see if a safety data sheet has been incorrectly classified. 

This applies to most common MSDS's. Whilst the technique will not provide you with a definitive classification under CHIP, it will give a good guide as to whether the MSDS under question is likely to be incorrect, or not. 

This is very important, because much of the data sheet hangs on the CHIP classification.  For instance, if individual chemical constituents (components), even at seemingly very small concentration levels, are incorrectly classified this can directly affect the product labelling, transport and other critical sections of the data sheet.

How would we check to see if the general classification of a data sheet was correct?

As an example let's suppose we have a Safety Data Sheet of a product called Aunt Mary's Germicide. The overall classification says that its:  Flammable; R10,  Irritant to the eyes; R41 and Irritant to the skin; R38.

Looking at section 2 (Composition / Information on Ingredients), as shown in the table below, we can see that it has three hazardous chemical components. 

1)  Isopropyl alcohol (Propan-2 ol)

2)  Dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride   

3)  Sodium nitrite

 Section 2 of Aunt Mary's Germicide Data Sheet 

2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Chemical name

CAS-No

EINECS 

Classification

Concentration %

Isopropyl alcohol

67-63-0

207-661-7

R10

13.0

Dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride

68424-85-1

270-325-2-

R41

5.12

Sodium nitrite

7632-00-0

213-555-9

R41, R38

2

 

If we use the Search MSDS box at the top of the subscribers page, we will see that two of the above chemicals:  Isopropyl alcohol and Sodium nitrite can be found in the ESL component library. Note that these two substances are listed on the Approved Supply List (ASL)

Lets go to the first one. On the start page of the subscribers section, click the (I) button (for Isopropyl alcohol), then press Ctrl+F and type in the CAS No to locate the substance on the page, Once found, click on the chemical name to show the data sheet.

Looking at the ESL library data sheet, we can see that the classification for Isopropyl alcohol is Highly Flammable; R11, and not R10 as stated in section 2 of Aunt Mary's Germicide. In addition it' s also classified as R36 (Irritating to eyes) and R67 (vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness)

Taking the second component, Sodium nitrite. In the subscribers section, click the (S) button (for Sodium) and then press Ctrl+F and type in the CAS No. Click the chemical name to show the data sheet.  We see that an incorrect classification was also given for Sodium nitrite on the Aunt Mary's Germicide Data Sheet. The correct classification for this chemical component is: Oxidising; R8, Toxic; R25 at concentrations of >= 5% and Harmful; R22 at concentrations above 1%, and by the way it's Dangerous for the Environment; R50  

These results alone are enough to conclude that the overall classification of our data sheet under examination is incorrect.  We would need to return the SDS to our suppliers or, if the data sheet was produced in-house than we would need to use the conventional method under CHIP(3) to re-classify using the correct data from the ESL library.

Please note also that from the ESL library data sheet we see that Propan-2-ol has an Occupational Exposure Standard listed in EH40/2002. If this is not reflected on your product data sheet then this may affect your COSHH assessment and the control measures that are in place. These will be subject to review when the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELS) comes into effect.

 

                      Philippa Nobbs

 

 

 








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