General Statement
Lincoln Electric is moving to enhance the value of its current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and to comply with OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard and the Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Soon, we will replace our current MSDS with a multi-page 16 section Safety Data Sheet (SDS).Product And Company Identification
This section describes the manufacturer, the product, and contains the general company contact information. The enhanced SDS is specific to each product and size specification. This provides the most accurate information possible to the customer because product composition and % make-up can vary by product diameter. This way, the information that will be the most useful to the customer for hazard communication or regulatory reporting will have the highest level of accuracy and specificity.
Hazards Identification
This section serves as an overview that summarizes the key hazards involved with product handling and usage. This information provides a quick reference to the more detailed information contained within the main body of the SDS.
Composition / Ingredient Information
Section 3 provides a breakdown of the product's hazardous ingredients as defined according to applicable regulations or Lincoln Electric policy. This section lists the hazardous ingredients (of the unused product) on a percent by weight basis. Other hazardous constituents may be formed when the product is used. Subsequent sections of the SDS will provide byproduct ingredient and hazard information, in accordance with our long standing policy to provide the most detailed, accurate and up-to-date hazard information possible.
First-Aid Measures
The First Aid Section defines the basic emergency treatment guidelines that relate to the product's acute hazards.
Fire-Fighting Measures
This section obviously designed to describe applicable fire response information. Welding
consumables used for metal joining are not flammable, however, the act of welding can produce
sparks and hot material that can, in turn, ignite other flammable or combustible materials.
Therefore, we reference ANSI Z49.1. ANSI Z49.1 provides sound recommendations for fire
prevention in the welding environment.
Accidental Release Measures
Section 6 is typically designed to reference material spill control measures. This section is most
often not applicable to Lincoln products.
Handling And Storage
This section provides basic hazard awareness information pertinent to product handling and
storage.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
This is one of the largest and most important SDS sections for hazard communication compliance.
In the first part of our enhanced SDS's Section 8, we list all the current applicable exposure limits
established by regulatory entities, and recognized health science organizations. Included are
specific references listed by country, state and province. The second part lists exposure limits for
chemical species produced only during use or decomposition, biological exposure indices, as well
as additional information regarding exposure guidelines, engineering controls, and personal
protection.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
This is one of the largest and most important SDS sections for hazard communication compliance.
In the first part of our enhanced SDS's Section 8, we list all the current applicable exposure limits
established by regulatory entities, and recognized health science organizations. Included are
specific references listed by country, state and province. The second part lists exposure limits for
chemical species produced only during use or decomposition, biological exposure indices, as well
as additional information regarding exposure guidelines, engineering controls, and personal
protection.
Physical And Chemical Properties
This section lists the basic material properties such as pH, flammability, etc. Most of the standard property fields listed do not apply to finished product welding consumables.
Stability And Reactivity
The Stability and Reactivity Section contains a summary of the chemical and physical hazards,
including the hazardous decomposition byproducts to which the customer's workers might be
exposed, and lists the variables affecting exposure potential. This is information can be a useful
reference for EHS professionals or others responsible for workplace safety.
Toxicological Information
Section 11 provides detailed information about material or decomposition constituent toxicology and
the potential health effects that could result from both acute or long-term overexposures. The
section lists any materials that exhibit potential carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or may include a
potential to cause reproductive effects. This information can be a useful reference for industrial
hygienists, safety personnel, and/or occupational health professionals.
Ecological Information
Similar to Section 11, Section 12 describes the ecotoxicity potential of various materials or decomposition constituents. Most of these values define the relative concentration or dose toxicity for fresh water or marine species that often serve as scientific indicators of environmental health. This information can be useful to customer environmental compliance and emergency response personnel. (Due to the nature of welding products, the potential for a significant environmental release is extremely remote.)
Disposal Considerations
This section provides guidance for proper disposal of waste materials that may be generated by the welding process.
>Transportation Information
Transportation Information refers to regulatory categorization and classification that may be necessary for proper transportation and shipping placards, labels and manifesting. Welding consumables are generally not classified as being regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, or similar bodies in other countries.
Regulatory Information
This section is also a good resource for customer EHS staff or consultants. This section provides a summary of regulations that may be applicable to the product constituents or the decomposition byproducts listed. Also defined are hazard definitions, environmental CERCLA and SARA reporting, and applicable regulatory lists such as state Right-to-Know and California Proposition 65 lists.
Other Information
Section 16 is reserved for all other information that the manufacturer may want to provide. Welding products are somewhat unique compared most to other products in that the hazards are not inherent in their properties as received by the customer. The hazards typically occur only during product use (the welding process itself). Therefore, this section is an important source of customer information and it contains Lincoln's Maximum Fume Exposure Guideline (MFEG) and Maximum Dust Exposure Guideline (MDEG), as applicable. The section also defines these values for the customer which can be useful to their EHS personnel responsible for maintaining safe exposure levels in the workplace. Welding-specific reference information may also be provided for the benefit of our welding customers.