OSHA doesn't require an MSDS for water, but anyone who bases their safety program on what OSHA requires, rather than a rigorous analysis of hazards in the operation is making a big mistake. There are plenty of ways water can kill you other than by drowning, as every chemist surely knows. See what happens when you pour it into concentrated acid; drop a piece of metallic sodium in it; cover a wet surface with a spill of molten metal. And don't forget that the worst chemical accident in human history happened when water found its way into a tank of methyl isocyanate.

So if your lab includes any situation where water could contribute to a hazard, that hazard needs to be thoroughly understood, and precautions taken. And containers of water need to be labeled or otherwise identified, even if the only hazard is that another chemical might be mistaken for water. Without a label, or some other clear indicator, how do you know whether the substance is truly water or some other chemical that lost its label?

Mike Wright

Michael J. Wright
Director of Health, Safety and Environment
United Steelworkers

412-562-2580 office
412-370-0105 cell

See us on the web at www.usw.org

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Joseph M. Crockett
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 3:19 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] A Conundrum

I have an MSDS for Water (Sterile water)

Under First Aid Measures - After eye contact - rinse opened eye for several minutes under running water After swallowing - induce vomiting and call for medical help

Under accidental release measures - for environmental protection - dilute with plenty of water

Under exposure controls - Protection of Hands - protective gloves Eye protection - Goggles recommended during refilling

Disposal - Recommendation - Hand over to hazardous waste disposers disposal must be made according to official regulations

Recommended cleaning agent - water

Can you imagine what a freshman non-science major student would think after reading this??

Joe C

Joseph M Crockett | Department of Chemistry A. Leroy and Wanda H. Baker Professor of Science, Professor of Chemistry American Chemical Society - Committee on Chemical Safety Barbershop Harmony Society Member Harrisonburg Harmonizers - Vintage Mix Quartet
phone: 540-828-5431 | fax: 540-828-5661

________________________________________
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety on behalf of David Roberts
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2016 2:31 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**princeton.edu
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] A Conundrum

To put it differently, why would they make us have one for sodium chloride or calcium carbonate (which is in our water at high levels actually) but not for water. Our water here is so high in calcium carbonate it's crazy - I could probably get enough for general labs just by boiling down regular tap water - though that of course would not be cost productive I know.

And I do know the reason. I was just stirring the pot.

It's Fryday ;)

Dave

> On Sep 23, 2016, at 2:01 PM, Ben Ruekberg wrote:
>
> My curiosity will not allow me to wait until April first, when it might be more excusable, to ask this question.
>
> There is a chemical which can be found in almost every laboratory. Most laboratories even have it piped in. There are (M)SDSs for this material and yet, while I am told that we are required to have the (M)SDS for each of the chemicals in our laboratory on hand, I don't believe that many laboratories keep a copy of the (M)SDS for this substance in print. I refer, of course, to water.
>
> OK, I hear you saying "Of course no one has the (M)SDS for water on hand. It's water." And I agree: I mean it's in the safety showers, we wash our hands with it before leaving the lab. But it's a chemical. I can understand why I would make an exception for it, but does OSHA?
>
> Can anyone tell me why safety documentation is not required for water? Or is it? Or is it, but no one makes a fuss about it?
>
> Thank you very much,
>
> Ben
>
> Virus-free. www.avast.com
> --- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division
> of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list,
> contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

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This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

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For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

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