Schools are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDS for every chemical being used or stored on the property. MSDS’s should be readily accessible to anyone using a chemical. You’ll find just about everything you could possibly want to know about the safe handling of a potentially hazardous material in an MSDS

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a detailed information bulletin prepared by the manufacturer of a chemical that describes the physical and chemical properties, physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, and control measures. Information on an MSDS aids in the selection of safe products and helps prepare employers and employees to respond effectively to daily exposure situations as well as to emergency situations.

What Information is on an MSDS?

• Product or chemical identity used on the label.
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Chemical and common names of each hazardous ingredient.
• Name, address, and phone number for hazard and emergency information.
• Preparation or revision date.
  The hazardous chemical's physical and chemical characteristics, such as vapor pressure and flash point.
• Physical hazards, including the toxicity, potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity.
• Known health hazards.
• OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) or other exposure limits.
• Emergency and first-aid procedures.
• Fire fighting procedures
• If the chemical is a carcinogen.
• Precautions for safe handling and use.
• Control measures such as engineering controls, work practices, hygienic practices or personal protective equipment required.
• The ways the chemical can enter your body (inhalation, eye, skin exposure, etc.).
• Procedures for spills, leaks, and clean up.
• Storage and disposal information.