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Section III Room and Space Planning
Material Safety
As a drafter, you may not think about material safety. However, there are many types of mate-
rials that you come in contact with, and some may be considered hazardous. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires:
A list be kept of all hazardous materials used on the premises.
A file be maintained containing material safety data sheets (MSDS) on each hazardous material.
Employees be trained in the proper use of hazardous materials.
Some materials that you may come in contact with include ammonia, cleaning fluids, inks,
and toner. In addition to proper handling of these materials, they must be properly disposed of
when you are done using them. For example, spent toner cartridges should not be placed in the
garbage. They should be returned to a recycling facility for recharging and eventual reuse. When
in doubt, check the facility’s master list of hazardous materials. If the material is listed as
hazardous, check the material’s MSDS for hazards. Finally, check with the manufacturer or
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for disposal procedures. A sample MSDS is shown below.
Material Safety Data Sheet
Preparation/Revision Date:
ACME Chemical Company
24 hour Emergency Phone: Chemtrec: 1-800-424-9300
Outside United States: 1-202-483-7616
Trade Name/Syn: DICHLOROMETHANE * METHYLENE DICHLORIDE
Chem Name/Syn: METHYLENE CHLORIDE
CAS Number: 75-09-2
Formula: Ch2Cl2
NFPA Rating:
Health 4
Flammability 1
Reactivity 1
Statement of Hazard:
Possible cancer hazard. May cause cancer based on animal data. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Vapor irritating.
May cause eye injury and/or skin irritation. May cause damage to liver, kidneys, blood, and central nervous system.
Effects of Overexposure-Toxicity-Route of Entry:
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Irritating on contact with skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. May cause eye
injury. Inhalation of high vapor concentrations causes dizziness, nausea, headache, narcosis, irregular heartbeats,
coma, and death. If vomiting occurs, methylene chloride can be aspirated into the lungs, which can cause chemical
pneumonia and systemic effects. Medical conditions aggravated by exposure: heart, kidney, and liver conditions.
Routes of entry: inhalation, ingestion.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
HCL, phosgene, chlorine.
Will Hazardous Polymerization Occur?
Will not occur under normal conditions.
Is the Product Stable?
Product is normally stable.
Conditions to Avoid:
Contact with open flame, welding arcs, and hot surfaces.
Spill Procedures, Disposal Requirements/Methods:
Evacuate the area of all unnecessary personnel. Wear suitable protective equipment. Eliminate any ignition sources
until the area is determined to be free from explosion or fire hazard. Contain the release with a suitable absorbent.
Place in a suitable container for disposal. Dispose of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local
regulations.
Ventilation:
Local exhaust: Recommended
Mechanical (Gen): Recommended
Special: NA
Other: None
Respiratory Protection:
NIOSH/MSHA air supplied respirator.
Protective Gloves:
Viton, PVA, or equivalent to prevent skin contact.
Other Protective Equipment:
Safety glasses with side shields must be worn at all times; eyewash; fume hood.
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