Safety Data Sheet

[vickyp]

#102642

Forum: Community

Hello,
On Section 8 of the Safety Data Sheet (Exposure Controls / Personal Protection), it states when handling “Undiluted Product” you need to wear certain PPE but under the “Diluted Product” it says no PPE required under normal use conditions. Going by Section 16 (Other infromations), the NFPA classification describes the Undiluted to be dangerous with a Health-3, Flammability-2 and Instability-0 whereas for Diluted was Health-1, Flammability-1 and Instability-0 which is fairly safe.
My workers have been able to use words read in the SDS to say since we use diluted products on our site, how come we make PPE compulsory even when the SDS says it is safe without PPE’ My direct answer to this was we work in a Safety Sensitive Area where hazards or risk taking is not an option. We are going to wear PPE everytime we handle either Undiluted or Diluted chemicals. Moreso, our workplace label describes for “Undiluted Product” not “Diluted”.
Why does the SDS describe the undiluted differently from diluted with regards to PPE use?

[vickyp]

#103027

Final Q first: The higher the concentration, the greater the hazard. Accordingly, lesser health and safety measures for undiluted forms, including with regard to PPE, may be required for diluted forms of a product, depending on the product involved.
The Q about what to say to your workers is a little harder for me to answer. I think there probably IS a precise answer why PPE is required for undiluted form even if not listed in Sec. 16 of the SDS but I just don’t have the expertise to provide that answer. What I CAN say is that: A. It’s great that your workers are actually paying close attention to the SDS; and B. I really like your response about safety-sensitive and taking no chances. Remember, that WHMIS and other OHS requirements are MINIMUM standards and that doing just what the law obeys is far from equivalent to providing optimum health and safety.
Sorry I can’t give you a better technical answer but I hope this helps. Glenn

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