What is a Material Safety Data Sheet, and why is it important?
The MSDS is required by a manufacturer if there are any hazardous chemicals in the product, or released while using the product. It is the only document that gives you the real truth about the products health and safety issues, and how these issues affects the end user..YOU!
What does the MSDS tells me?
1. All hazardous components, and % of the component in the product. 2. The exposure limits (How much of this product can you be exposed to in 8 hrs) 3. First aid measures ( how to treat exposures) 4. Health Hazard Data (the acute and chronic effects to your body) 5. Fire and explosion data 6. Reactivity data (what other products have dangerous reactions to this product) 7. Control and protective measures (how to keep from overexpose) 8. Safe handling and use.
The MSDS is a very important document for ANY product you have in your shop. It makes good sense to ask for a MSDS for every product type you purchase for the first time. Then keep it on file just incase you need it in an emergency.
Before using a new product, read the product label yourself. Do not take the work of a co-worker on the safe use of a product, they may be incorporating an unsafe act during use that could injure you or your client. The manufacturer has went above and beyond to test and develop instructions so you can use their product safely and effectively. Not following the manufacturers instructions could cause a safety issue, poison someone, have a violent reaction with another chemical in the shop, start a fire, or even kill you or your client, etc.
Read and fully understand the label instructions, and read the MSDS for that product if one is available. This website contains MSDS's for several products that are used every day in the grooming shop. Please see if your products MSDS is among our list. If you cant understand the MSDS fully, there are two files you can read that will explain the terminology, and the different parts of the MSDS and what they tell you.
Most over the counter surface disinfectants use this same chemical in their chemical makeup. The analysis is prepriotory, so check the label on your container for amount in its analysis.
