EHS-CLNT-PROC-0023
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ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY
Procedure for providing MSDS information for Hazardous
Substances/Chemicals/Dangerous Goods
Purpose:
 To ensure that manufactures /importers of Hazardous Substances/Chemicals/
Dangerous Goods have true and accurate information about those goods in the
form of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
 To ensure that MSDS is up-to-date with all relevant information and providing
copies to suppliers, users, and other concerned parties.
Scope:
 All Hazardous Substances/Chemicals/Dangerous Goods transported, handled,
stored & processed within the jurisdiction of Ports, Customs & Freezone and
Dubai world business units.
Procedure:
 General Information: A Material Safety Data Sheet is a document that contains
information on the chemical make-up, use, storage, handling, emergency
procedures and potential health effects related to a hazardous material. The MSDS
contains much more information about the material than the label on the
container. MSDSs are prepared and written by the manufacturer of the material.
 This procedure is not intended to supersede or replace any information contained
in “Code of Practice of the Management of Dangerous Goods in the Emirates of
Dubai”
 MSDS must have necessary information under the following 16 sections as
minimum standard requirement while manufacturing, importing, exporting,
trading and using within our jurisdiction. Attention is drawn to the American
National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard which serves as valuable source of
information in the development of this MSDS format.
Section 1: Chemical Product and Company Identification
 Names the material & general use of it, also relates the MSDS with the label
and shipping documents.
 Must also have a mailing address/email address and telephone number for the
manufacturer or distributor.
Section 2: Chemical Composition, Information on Ingredients.
 Identifies the hazardous components of the material.
 If non-hazardous ingredients are listed, they should be listed separately.
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Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers should be included, as well as
Exposure standards adopted by international bodies such as OSHA, EU, and
HSE –UK should be included in this section.

Section 3: Hazards Identification
 Describes the material's appearance, odor, and health, physical, and
environmental hazards that may be of concern for emergency response
personnel.
Section 4: First Aid Measures
 This section should include emergency and first aid procedures.
 It should be in layman's language, easy to understand, and procedures for each
potential route of exposure should be included.
 A "Notes to Physicians" subsection should be included if such information is
available( Eg: Toxicity etc.,).
Section 5: Fire Fighting Measures
 This section should describe fire and explosive properties of the material,
extinguishing media to be used, and firefighting instructions.
 It applies to anyone who may be in the area of the fire.
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
 This section should have information needed to prevent or minimize adverse
effects on employees, neighbors, property, and the environment, including
waterways and safety measures
 It is intended for emergency response personnel.
Section 7: Handling and Storage
 This section provides guidelines for handling precautions and minimizing any
potential hazards from storing the material.
 It should include information to minimize handling when appropriate,
recommended storage methods and conditions such as
- temperature,
- inert atmosphere, and
- Conditions to avoid.
Section 8: Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
 Discusses the degree of engineering control that may be needed when
handling the material.
 The personal protective equipment that should be used if there is a potential
for exposure above the regulatory or suggested limits.
 Exposure standards adopted by international bodies such as OSHA, EU, and
HSE –UK should be included in this section.
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
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These properties should be included to assist users to determine proper
handling and storage.
- Appearance
- Odor
- Physical state (liquid, solid, gas)
- pH
- Vapor pressure and density,
- Melting ,freezing point and Boiling point
- Flash point
- Solubility, and viscosity
- Specific gravity should be included.
- Additional properties may be included if they are useful. (E.g.
molecular weight..etc)
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
 This section should describe conditions that may result in a potentially
hazardous reaction, such as
- Evolution of hazardous gases
- Storage incompatibilities
- Production of heat, or
- Other hazardous conditions.
Section 11: Toxicological Information
 This section should include any known information resulting from animal
testing or human experience on the toxicity of the material.
 Also included would be information on its potential for causing cancer.
 Data should be included for
- Acute,
- Subchronic, and
- Chronic exposures (if available).
Section 12: Ecological Information
 This section should list impacts to the environment that may occur if the
material is released to the environment, or in evaluating waste treatment
practices.
Section 13: Disposal Considerations
 This section is intended to provide guidance to environmental and other
technical people responsible for waste management for the product.
Section 14: Transport Information
 This section should provide information concerning classification for
shipping the material.
 It should include U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classifications, or
an indication that it is not regulated. Transport information provided by
international codes/standards viz IMDG, ADR, IATA should be included in
this section
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It may include information for shipment into other countries.
Section 15: Regulatory Information
 This section should contain information regarding the regulatory status of the
material. It should include OSHA AND EPA regulations. It may also include
other regulatory agencies, and state agencies, if appropriate.
Section 16: Other Information
 This section is intended for other material the preparer feels is pertinent, and
that should not be included in the other fifteen sections.
For example, it may include label information, hazard ratings, revision dates, and
references to other related information.
 Hazardous Substances/Chemicals/Dangerous Goods are bought from the
manufacturer/importer, and traded to the supplier then to the end user.
Importer/Trading companies are responsible to obtain and pass the Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to users . Manufactures/importers must have regular
analysis reports of contents certified by third party laboratory and make these
available anytime.
 Everyone should always know the hazards of a material before start using it. For
most people who work with a material, there are sections of the MSDS that are
more important than others. You should always read the name of the material,
know the hazards, understand the safe handling and storage requirements, and
understand what to do in an emergency.
 Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to maintain an inventory
of hazardous materials, provide employees training on the potential hazards
associated with a material, obtain and maintain MSDSs for each material onsite,
establish proper methods and types of labels, and inform contractors of the
hazards that their employees may be exposed to in their work area.
Applicable Regulations
a. Environmental Control Rules & Regulations
b. Health, Safety & Fire Protection Regulations & Standards
c. Code of Practice of the Management of Dangerous Goods in the Emirates of Dubai
d. FZ/DM Rules (See ETG-46)
e. List of Prohibited/Controlled Substances
EHS/Fire Contacts:
A) EHS-FZ & IO : Mr. Mohammed Al Fardan/Mr. Mahesh Kankarej; Tel:04-8811881/8068814;
Fax :04-8817023/8818857;
B) EHS-Ports : Mr. Nazeer Hussain/ Mr.A.M.Nazar Tel:04-8811881/8068820; Fax :048817023/8818857;
C) EHS - Fire – Mr. Francisco D’souza/ Mr. Rajendran Ekambaram; Tel: 04-8811881/8068807;
Fax.04-8817023/8818857
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