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Backpack User Guide, Version 1 0

© 2011 Chemwatch

2.1.1 OPTIONAL AUTOMATIC LOGON ........................................................................................................ 5

2.4 GETTING HELP AND TECHNICAL LIVE SUPPORT ........................................................................ 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Backpack User Guide Database for Managing Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS)

© 2011


© 2011 Chemwatch

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMWATCH……………………………………………………………………..3

2. LOGIN AND NAVIGATION ………………………………………………………………………………..5

2.1 LOGIN TO THE PROGRAM ……………………………………………………………………………….5

2.2 AUTOMATIC LOGIN………………………………………………………………………………………...5

2.3 PROGRAM SET UP…………………………………………………………………………………………5

2.4 GETTING HELP AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT…………………………………………………………6

2.4.1 THE CHAT SERVICE……………………………………………………………………………………….6

2.4.2 REMOTE ACCESS AND LIVE SUPPORT……………………………………………………………….6

3. THE SET UP TOOL…………………………………………………………………………………………7

3.1 THE PROGRAM FILTER SETTINGS………………………………………………................................7

3.2 SECURITY AND USER ACCESS…………………………………………………………………………7

4. THE MATERIALS MODULE………………………………………………………………………………11

4.1 SEARCH OPTIONS………………………………………………………………………………………..11

4.2 THE SEARCH CRITERIA…………………………………………………………………………………13

4.2.1 SEARCHING FOR MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)…………………………………….13

4.2.2 TEMPORARY FILTERS…………………………………………………………………………………..15

4.3 THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)……………………………………………………..15

4.3.1 MSDS FORMAT AND PREPARATION…………………………………………………………………16

4.3.2 MSDS STRUCTURE………………………………………………………………………………………16

5. DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS……………………………………………………………………………..20

5.1 THE SHOW OWN LIST (MATERIALS REGISTER)……………………………………………………20

5.2 PRINTING, SAVING AND EMAILING REPORTS……………………………………………………...21

6. THE FOLDERS MODULE………………………………………………………………………………...23


© 2011 Chemwatch

6.1 CREATING FOLDERS………………………………………………………………………………….23

6.2 EDITING FOLDERS……………………………………………………………………………………..24

6.3 DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS…………………………………………………………………………..24

6.4 GENERAL SEARCH IN FOLDERS MODULE………………………………………………………..28

7. PART NUMBERS………………………………………………………………………………………..29

7.1 CREATING PART NUMBERS…………………………………………………………………………29


© 2011 Chemwatch

1. Introduction to Chemwatch

Chemwatch is the largest supplier of independently researched Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and

related materials. Chemwatch provides a fully managed service to control, assess chemicals and cover risks

within an enterprise or organization; and also supplies computer-based modules which can be tailored for

specific industries throughout the world such as emergency services, hospitals, governments, education

institutions (universities, schools and research), the military, unions, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and

automotive industries

This User Guide focuses on the basic program called Backpack, which is part of the hierarchy of programs

comprising of the ChemFFX and Chemgold 3 programs.

The Backpack Program provides employers and employees alike with a platform to manage hazardous

substances by utilizing a web-based database system as means to providing access to Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS) on the cloud. The program draws from a library collection of more than 6 million MSDSs

maintained by Chemwatch’s global database system.

Employees are required access to MSDSs for the chemicals located at the workplace to ensure that they are

provided with information on hazards, risks and potential exposure to hazardous substances used in a work

activity. The main objective of the program is provide access to MSDSs for all users of chemicals at the

workplace to meet compliance1 requirements pertaining to information on usage, storage, and handling of

hazardous substances and transportation of dangerous goods.

The Backpack program consists of mainly three modules; Materials, Folders and Activities. The Backpack

program defaults to the Materials Module after login.

The Materials Module Covers the search criteria and tracking of individual materials,

products, chemicals, synonyms and vendor names (suppliers/manufacturers). Program users can search the

database using the latter material search criteria. Suppliers MSDSs can also be printed emailed or saved

into desktops or external storage devices for future use and reference. MSDSs may also be added, copied

and moved into organized folders within the program tree structure for subsequent retrieval.

1 National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous

Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)], Scope and Application


© 2011 Chemwatch

The Folders Module provides a platform to create folders and organize locations of

MSDSs based on premises or sites where hazardous substances and dangerous goods are stores on site.

Materials may be copied, moved or deleted by using the mouse right click functionality. The folder structure

can be locked using security model permissions to allow users with specific rights or prevent others from

manipulating or editing the folders as well as means of protecting the deletion of folders and its contents by

unauthorized users.

The Activities Module provides administrators of Chemwatch within their own

organization will be using the Chemwatcher Project Tracking Program to manage their MSDSs acquisitions,

viewing status reports and history patterns. Special access details will be provided to login into their PTNs2

and view status of their vendors MSDSs, Gold MSDSs, regulatory reports and other data. For more

information on how to use the Chemwatcher program, contact customer service.

2 PTN – Project Tracking Number assigned to MSDS acquisitions


© 2011 Chemwatch

2. Login Screen and Navigation

The Backpack program is a web based application accessible through the internet. Login user identification

name and password is a requirement for authentication purposes.

2.1 Login into the program

Step Task

1 Type your user name or user identification in the User ID

text box

2 Type your Password in the password text box

3 Press the Submit button

Optional Click on the checkbox to Remember Password for multiple

login entries. END.

2.1.1 Optional Automatic Logon

Organizations can choose to login to the program through automatic recognition of their user account. This

set up will allow local program users to click on a link in their business intranet page to directly gain access to

the Backpack program. The organization’s administrator will contact Chemwatch to set up automatic logon.

2.2 Logging Out of the Program

The log out icon is located in the main toolbar at the top right corner of the graphical user interphase.

Clicking on this icon logs out the user account back to the login screen as shown above.

2.3 Program Set Up

The Graphical User Interphase

The Backpack program is designed as a user friendly system. The Graphical User Interphase (GUI) consists

of modular tabs, icons, buttons, and menus. It also uses the mouse to click on these commands to carry out

a particular task. In this user guide, clicking on a button on any screens will be represented by a bold text

and relevant icon, tab or button. There are distributions functionalities that require mouse right click to be

able to create folders, delete folders, rename folders, copy and move entire folders within the tree structure.

These folders are organized in a tree structure as a storage facility where chemicals can be distributed

across the tree to access chemical registers and subsequently view, print, email and save single or multiple

MSDSs and material registers. The description of these feature tools are tabulated in the appendix at the

end of this user guide for your reference.

The Login Screen


© 2011 Chemwatch

2.4 Getting Help and Technical Live Support

2.4.1 The Chat Service Online

Chemwatch provides technical live support over the internet. Clicking

on the Live Support button within the top middle of the GUI opens up

another window. Fill in the required information and ensure appropriate

selection of the applicable department from the menu. To begin a chat,

click on the chat button within the program. Fill in the required fields,

however, we emphasize that providing us with your telephone or mobile

number (optional) will also help for further troubleshooting.

2.4.2 Remote Access and Support over the Internet

Technical staff can offer to remotely control your desktop for further

investigation and troubleshooting the problem on your laptop or

personal computer via the internet. All it requires is to start a small

application, which does not require installation or administrative rights.

Help Documents and Step by Step Approach to Tasks

Help documents contain a step by step guide (Task Descriptions) to

conducting particular tasks. All the documents are based on individual

tasks that pertain to a specific module. This user guide will provide the

basic activities for demonstration purposes. Reference made within this

guide on “how to” can be inference to the help documents.

The Help icon is found across the

GUI. Clicking on this icon displays

help screens and other information

relevant to that particular area of the

program. To get back to the last

viewed screen or get out of the Help

documents, click on the Back button.

The Back button takes you

back to the previous screen.

The Close icon closes off the

screen in current view. To get out of

help files, click on this icon within the

help screen window.

Generally, Helpdesk department can

be contacted through email or

telephone line.

All enquiries can be sent to the email

address: [email protected]

For further navigation and

presentations, please go to the following

web address:

http://train.chemwatch.net/powerpointhelp to

download presentations for your

reference.

MSDS updates and acquisitions, please contact the Customer Service Department

Email address:

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://train.chemwatch.net/powerpointhelp


© 2011 Chemwatch

3 The Set Up Tool

The Set Up Tool consists of four tabs; Filter Settings, User Access, Logo and MSDS Settings. These

are discussed further below.

3.1 The Program Filter Settings

The filtering configuration of the program has a number of

options to select settings that will be tailored towards specific

search results and the way you view the contents of chemical

registers within the folder structure. The search results

depend on the filter conditions applied by administrators of

the program within your organization. All user accounts are

set to particular filter conditions dependent on the regional

configuration of the organization. Organizations are country

based whereas others operate globally, hence, the filter

conditions for the latter can be set to global settings. The

latest documents will default to a five year period as per

legislative requirement for compliance on using the latest

manufacturers’ MSDSs that are current and up to date.

The default settings can be altered by each individual user and will not affect the permanently set filter

configuration of the entire program. The Set Up tool allows users to independently set filter conditions to

desired search results by country, language and the type of report to retrieve from the database.

Australian organizations, businesses and other enterprises have their filters configured to view MSDSs that

Australian and written in English Language and hence, the Country field is set to Australia and the Language

field is set to English.

However, if your organization operates overseas or in another country other Australia, the filter conditions

can be set to the specific country of operation to be able to view relevant MSDSs from your region and those

filters will be desktop dependent and they will not affect other users’ filter settings within the same

organization. Below is a table showing the various filter conditions that are possible to set to your desired

program’s behavior patterns. Global settings apply for international organizations. The respective filter

settings can be set to default to ‘please select one’ field in order to filter through all available results in the

database for that particular search input.

Global Filter Settings


© 2011 Chemwatch

Filter Option Filter Setting

Show Part Number

Displays a Part Number column in a chemical list, document list and when viewing an MSDS.

The Part Number icon shows in the column header within a list. Clicking on this icon loads

another window to add stock numbers for a particular material which can be later used as

part of the search criteria in the Name/CAS drop down arrow menu within the search panel.

Part numbers can either be user dependent or vendor dependent. Vendor dependent part

numbers are only assigned by the original supplier or manufacturer of the product. These are

normally found in Section 1 of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) as product codes or

product number. However, user part numbers are added by the specific user and will be

linked to that user account in the program.

Latest documents

only

Checkbox ticked means all search results will display the latest versions of MSDSs.

However, if there are no latest versions, then the icon will show right next to the

document’s issue date. It is also clickable to view more information update on that particular

MSDS.

Checkbox not ticked means all search results will display all available latest and

archived old versions of MSDSs for that particular material search as well as viewing a

MSDSs from a chemical list.

Hide Gold MSDS Hide Gold MSDS checkbox ticked means all the search results and material list will only

show Vendor (Supplier) MSDSs other than Gold. The option for ‘Show Only Gold’ will

disappear from the filter configuration options.

Show Only Gold

MSDS

Show Only Gold MSDS not ticked means all the search results and material list will only

show MSDSs (Vendor/Supplier) other than Gold MSDSs. A Gold MSDS is a material safety

data sheet written by Chemwatch. Most pure substances with a Chemical Abstract Number

will have a corresponding Gold MSDS. MSDSs authored by Chemwatch for specific client(s)

are called “WeWrite” and these are represented by an asterisk (*) within a document list if

available for a particular searched product. Hence, these become Vendor MSDSs owned by

that specific client (supplier/manufacturer).

Show Preferred

Names

Show Preferred Names option allows all preferred names (other names assigned to

materials) to show next to the chemical name. All preferred names are shown in RED text

and the chemical names will be bracketed.

Show Preferred Names checkbox not ticked will only display the exact chemical names

without any preferred names across the programs GUI.

Country Country option not set to any specific country defaults to “Please select one” which means

that all available MSDSs within the entire Chemwatch database must globally retrieve any

MSDS.


© 2011 Chemwatch

Country option set to a specific country will default to retrieve any MSDSs available to that

particular country filter condition. For example, if the country filter is set to “Australia”, then

the MSDSs that will display will give preference to Australian MSDSs first.

Language Language option not set to any specific country defaults to “Please select one” which means

that all available MSDSs within the entire Chemwatch database must globally retrieve any

MSDS.

Language option set to a specific country will default to retrieve any MSDSs available to that

particular language filter condition. For example, if the country filter is set to “English”, then

the MSDSs that will display will give preference to English MSDSs first.

Type Type of report to display depends on the available options to select from the menu; Please

select one, Label, Mini, MSDS, Mono and other. The default option is the report type

“MSDS”.

Source Type

All types of sourced MSDSs will display

P refers to primary MSDSs sourced directly from the manufacturer

S refers to secondary MSDSs sourced from other sources such as websites

Filters

Simple is the default filter conditionality as described in the above options

Advanced refers to the application of specific filter conditions by country and language to a

particular folder(s) or manifest location(s).END.

3.2 Security and User Access

The User Access tab is password protected. The administrator of the Backpack program

within your organization has the sole responsibility of setting up Folder Security. Consider

whether your access will be for specific people or work positions. Adding email addresses when creating

users for update notices can require more upkeep.

The security model and access follows the Microsoft Folders access model. Where there are two sets of

permissions set, it is the more restrictive access that overrides. Chemwatch can be consulted to start setting

up your Folder Security permissions. The table below describes the different permissions for various users

and/or user groups.


© 2011 Chemwatch

Folder Security Permission

Activated Security

No Access The Folder Structure is grayed out. General users do not have access to folder structure.

Read Only The Folder Structure is depressed. General users have read only access. Users can open

folder contents, view, print, email and save MSDSs. This level of permission allows users

to copy materials into their own folders but cannot move items or delete any materials.

General users will be password prompted to distribute materials within the folder

structure.

Read/Write The Folder Structure depends on ‘Everyone Else’ set permission. Security activated, user

with Read/Write access is permitted to add, delete, modify and distribute materials within

folders. This user will also create folders and edit the folder structure for the non default

directories.

Inactive Security

Permission Security set to “Inactive” defaults to ‘Read/Write’ access for all users.END.

The Security setup follows a standard User and Group hierarchy. The Master User is SUPERVISOR. The

default password should be changed when the system’s security logon is first activated. The supervisor will

have changed access to all folders. A separate security manual will be provided to administrators of the

Chemwatch program for detailed guidance, navigation and reference on how to set up security permissions

for users and user groups and assigning applicable permission to ‘Everyone Else’ for the organisational

general access.


© 2011 Chemwatch

4 The Materials Module

4.1 Search Options

The Materials Module is designed to search for specific materials, chemicals, products and ingredients of

mixtures by using the widely used Name/CAS search and other search options that can be accessed

through the Name/CAS drop down menu. The program login defaults to the Name/CAS search panel with

the Full reference database (Chemwatch Global Database) option active. The following table describes other

search options available.

Search Option Description

Name/CAS

Name Searching by Name can include the following options;

Search by chemical name, e.g. acetone

Search by product name e.g. thinner

Search by synonym, e.g. 2-propanone

Search by preferred name ( added to a Gold MSDS) through the rename function

CAS

(Chemical

Abstract

Number)

Search for acetone by its CAS number : 67-64-1


© 2011 Chemwatch

Name/CAS Drop Down Menu

CW Number

(Chemwatch

Number)

Chemwatch assigns each chemical a Chemwatch Number (CW number) in the database

system such each CW number is searchable and displays an exact match of the MSDS.

Search by CW number 1090 displays an exact match

EINECS No

(European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances)

These are substances, excluding polymers, which were commercially available in the EU from

1 January 1971 to 18 September 1981. These were considered registered under Article 8(1)

of directive 67/548/EEC. The identifying number of these substances is called the EINECS

number.

UN No UN numbers or UN IDs are four-digit numbers that identify hazardous substances, and

articles (such as explosives, flammable liquids, toxic substances, etc.) in the framework of

international transport. Some hazardous substances have their own UN numbers (e.g.

acrylamide has UN2074), while sometimes groups of chemicals or products with similar

properties receive a common UN number (e.g. flammable liquid, not otherwise specified, have

UN1993). A chemical in its solid state may receive a different UN number than the liquid

phase if their hazardous properties differ significantly; substances with different levels of

purity (or concentration in solution) may also receive different UN numbers.

UN numbers range from UN0001 to about UN3500 and are assigned by the United Nations

Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. They are published as part of

their Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, also known as the Orange

Book. These recommendations are adopted by the regulatory organization responsible for the

different modes of transport.

There is no UN number allocated to non-hazardous substances. These will simply not have a

UN number.

DG Class

Dangerous Goods (DG) are divided into classes on the basis of the specific chemical

characteristics producing the risk. Dangerous Goods include materials that are radioactive,

flammable, explosive, corrosive, oxidizing, asphyxiating, bio-hazardous, toxic, pathogenic, or

allergenic. There are 9 main classes of DG classification.

Class 1: Explosives

Class 2: Gases

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directive_67/548/EEC

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_substances

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_substances

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylamide

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flammable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrosive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidizer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphyxiant_gas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biohazard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathogen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAZMAT_Class_1_Explosives



© 2011 Chemwatch

Class 3: Flammable Liquids

Class 4: Flammable Solids

Class 5: Oxidizing Agents and Organic Peroxides

Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

Class 7: Radioactive Substances

Class 8: Corrosives

Class 9: Miscellaneous

All the DG Classes can be searched by the class number, e.g. DG Class1 will display

materials that are explosives. They are designated diamonds to each class as shown in the

left column.

Packing Group

Packing groups are used to indicate the degree of danger associated with dangerous goods

within a given class.

Packing Group I (PG I) = Great Danger

Packing Group II (PG II) = Medium Danger

Packing Group III (PG III) = Minor Dan

User Part No Part numbers can be stock numbers assigned to material MSDSs by users. Refer to Part

Number Section 7 for more information. User Part Numbers can be used to search for those

MSDSs and these can be summarized as your own stock numbers or code assigned.

Vendor Part No Vendor Part numbers are assigned to materials’ MSDSs and these can range from product

codes or product numbers assigned by manufacturers. These are normally found in Section 1

of any vendor MSDS. Refer to Part Number section above in this table for more information.

Vendor Part Numbers can be used to search for those MSDSs and these can be summarized

as products numbers or codes designated by manufacturers into their MSDSs.

Document ID All MSDSs are identified and searchable by a specific ID number called the Document ID

linked to an MSDS by the relevant vendor. This search option is commonly used by

Chemwatch staff for tracking MSDSs. Other manufacturers can assign document IDs to their

own products, e.g. acetone by CSR (supplier) has the document id 10362500.END.

4.2 The Search Criteria – Searching The Database

4.2.1 Searching for MSDS by Material and/or Vendor Name

The search options discussed in section 4.1 demonstrate the various options available for in-depth searches.

The name of a chemical can be used as a general indicator of what you are looking for in the database. The

name of a material can be a trade name, product name, synonym, preferred name. Let us now illustrate with

worked examples of the search options and reference database used in each case.









© 2011 Chemwatch

Search Option Task Description 1: Search by Name

Name/CAS Search

Name Searching by Name can include the following options;

1. Search by chemical name, e.g. type the name “acetone” in the Name/CAS text field

2. Select Full ( Chemwatch Global Database )option for the search reference database

3. Press on the button

4. Click on the “document name” to display a latest version of a vendor MSDS by a specific

supplier. Content and structure of a Vendor MSDS is discussed in proceeding sections.END.

Search Option Task Description 2: Search by Vendor

Vendor Name Search

Search by

Vendor

Searching by Vendor Name can include the following options;

1. Search by supplier name, e.g. type the name “Merck” in the Vendor text field

2. Select Full ( Chemwatch Global Database )option for the search reference database

3. Press on the button

4. Click on a node next to a vendor within a country of interest (jurisdiction) to display the

location or you can use the “expand by levels” option for the tiers to show the address.

5. Click on the “chemical name” to display a latest version of a vendor MSDS by supplier. END.


© 2011 Chemwatch

4.2.2 Temporary Filters

Filtering temporary can only be done in a document list. Permanent filters are the default settings in which the

temporary filters are dependent upon. However, any user could be interested in display an MSDS from a listed

supplier. The word, ‘vendor’ refers to ‘supplier or manufacturer’ and is used interchangeably in the industry.

Search Option Task Description 3

Temporary Filtering

Filter by

Specified

Fields

Filter by Vendor Name;

Conduct a search as detailed in “task description 1”

1. Press on the Filter button

2. Select supplier from the vendor name drop down arrow list, e.g. 3M

3. Click on the “OK” button on the bottom left of the ‘current filters’ window

4. Click on the “document name” to display MSDS. END.

4.3 The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The acronym [MSDS] is used across the user guide and refers to a document authored by manufacturers

and organizations across the world. The “Safety Data Sheet’ (SDS) is a globally accepted document as the

standard international document widely used in Europe and other GHS countries to meet regulatory

standards and compliance.

What is an MSDS?

An MSDS (Australia), also known as PSDS (Product Safety Data Sheet, COSHH data sheet in UK), is a form

or document with data regarding the properties of a particular known substance. It is regarded as an

important component of product stewardship and workplace safety for the provision of procedures for

handling and working with that substance in a safe way. The MSDS contains information ranging from

physical data (boiling point, melting points, flash point, toxicity, etc), health effects, first aid, reactivity,

storage, disposal, protective equipment, spill and fire emergency procedures, regulatory classification, e.g.

(Australian - NOSCH, ADG7 Code), etc. MSDS formats can vary from one source to the other within a

country depending on the national legal requirements on compliance and standards.


© 2011 Chemwatch

An MSDS for a substance (pure or mixture) is primary used at workplace environments and focuses on the

hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting. It is important to use an MSDS specific to

both country and supplier, as the same product sold under identical brand names by the same company can

be different in formulations in different countries. The formulation and hazard of a product using generic

names may vary between manufacturers in the same country. The MSDS follows a 16 section format and

must be supplied in an official language of the member state(s) of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS),

which takes effect in 2011. For more information, please visit the governments’ websites respective to

occupational health and safety on the various legal instruments for established regulatory formats in various

countries and regions of the world.

4.3.1 The MSDS Format and Preparation (Australian Regulations)

The responsibility to prepare an MSDS for a hazardous substance and/or dangerous goods lies with the

supplier. A supplier is defined as a manufacturer or importer of the material or product and must provided an

MSDS upon supply of the material or on request. Duties and obligations for the production, review, revision

and supply of MSDSs are prescribed in Australia in the Commonwealth, state and territory regulations that

give effect to the National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Substances3.The Second Edition

of the code provides guidance on the preparation of a 16 header MSDS, which is consistent with the

information requirements of the globally harmonized format.

4.3.2 The MSDS Structure

The 16 header MSDS contains the following sections as defined in the code. All sections of an MSDS should

be completed. Where information relevant to a particular section is not available, the MSDS should state ‘Not

available’. The table below describes only the core information required in each section of an MSDS as per

legislative compliance.

3 [NOHSC: 2011(2003)] The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS Code) provides

guidance on the preparation of an MSDS.

http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Pages/CP2003MaterialSafetyDataSheets2ndEdition.aspx


© 2011 Chemwatch

Sections MSDS Header: Descriptive Content

1 Identification of the Material and Supplier

Product name, supplier name, address and telephone

number and emergency contact number

Alternative names, synonyms, numbers, company product

codes or other unique identifiers may also be used

Provide the recommended use or intended use with any

restrictions on use if applicable

2 Hazards Identification

Hazard classification according to respective criteria,

statement of overall hazardous or dangerous nature of the

material. Wording to be used:

(i) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE.DANGEROUS GOODS

(ii) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE.NON-DANGEROUS GOODS

(iii) DANGEROUS GOODS. NON- HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE

Description of hazards and appropriate warning information

(Risk and Safety Phrases) associated with those hazards

3 Composition/Information on Ingredients

Pure Substance

Chemical identity of the pure substance

Common name(s), synonym(s)

CAS Number(s)

Mixtures or Composite Materials

Chemical identity of ingredients

Proportion of ingredients

CAS Numbers for ingredients

4 First Aid Measures

Description of necessary first aid measures according to

routes of exposure

Indication of medical attention and notes to physician

including description of symptoms

Information on specific first aid facilities

5 Fire Fighting Measures

Suitable extinguishing media

Hazards from combustion products

Precautions for fire fighters and special protective

equipment to be used during an emergency situation

6 Accidental Release Measures

Emergency procedures

Methods and materials for containment and clean up

Provision of Hazard Information

While an MSDS is not required for

substances not classified as hazardous,

there’s often a legislative requirement to

provide hazard information. It is good

practice to provide an MSDS for any

material, which may give rise to a health,

safety and environmental effects.

Acceptability of an overseas MSDS

MSDS prepared overseas are accepted

by Commonwealth, State and Territory

legislation if they meet the National

Standard MSDS Code. MSDS that use

EC classification criteria will provide an

MSDS that can be easily adapted to

Australian requirements.

MSDS Review and Approval

Periodical reviews are required to keep a

MSDS up to date, for example, when any

new or significant information becomes

available on the hazards of the material.

MSDS must be reviewed and re-issued

every 5 years.

Employers Duty of Care

Employers must obtain an MSDS for all

hazardous substances and/or dangerous

goods supplied to or used in the

workplace and ensure that they are

available to all employees. All containers

must be properly labeled in accordance

to the National Code for labelling of

hazardous substances and Dangerous

Goods at the Workplace.

What does ‘Hazard’ mean?

Hazard means an intrinsic capacity

associated with a material or process

capable of causing harm.

What is a ‘Risk’?

Risk means the likelihood that a material

will cause harm in the circumstance of its

use at the workplace.

Non-Hazardous and Non-Dangerous

Regarding Non-Hazardous and Non-

Dangerous Materials, there is no legal

requirement to provide an MSDS for such

materials. However, it is good practice to

provide one and is a well-accepted.


© 2011 Chemwatch

7 Handling and Storage

Precautions for safe handling

Conditions for safe storage

Any incompatibility characteristics in terms of segregation,

fire separation and prohibition

8 Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

National exposure standards

Biological limit values

Engineering Controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

9 Physical and Chemical Properties

Identification of empirical data such as appearance (colour,

physical form, shape), odour, pH, solubility, flash point,

ignition temperature, etc.

Additional Information, for example, intensely burning

characteristics, decomposition temperature, etc.

10 Stability and Reactivity

Chemical stability and conditions to avoid

Identify incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

Hazardous decomposition products

11 Toxicological Information

Health Effects – acute and chronic

Routes of exposure (skin/eye, inhalation, ingestion)

Any carcinogenic effects

Compounding effects

12 Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity

Persistence and degradability

Mobility

13 Disposal Considerations

Disposal methods

special precautions for landfill or incineration

14

Transport Information

Provide basic classification information for transportation

and shipment

UN Number

UN Proper Shipping Name

Hazards From Combustion Products

Advice must be provided on whether

hazardous combustion products can

occur when a material burns.

Emergency Services Information

Consult the emergency services authority

for specific advice. All Chemwatch clients

can also be provided emergency support,

the emergency service is available 24/7.

Chemwatch emergency contact

Toll Free Australia: 1800 039 008

International : +800 2436 2255

Hazchem Code

The Hazchem Code for bulk dangerous

goods provides coded information on the

fire-fighting medium to be used. This

includes information on clothing and

equipment for personal protection (PPE),

risk of violent explosion, spillage action

and evacuation consideration.

National Exposure Standards

Exposure standards represent the

airborne concentrations of chemicals and

are expressed as Time-Weighted

Average (TWA) concentration of that

substance over an eight-hour working

shift, to an eight-hour day for a five-day

working week over an entire working

lifetime. Short Term Exposure Limits

(STEL) and Peak Limitations may also be

specified for short periods of exposure

such as 15 minutes.

Special Requirements for PPEs

Special requirements may exist for the

type of gloves, protective clothing to

prevent skin or eye or lung exposure, for

example, ‘PVC gloves or nitrile rubber

gloves’. Others may exist for respirators

and vague data such as ‘face musk’ is

not acceptable whereas ‘use half face

filter type of respirator suitable for organic

vapors’ would be acceptable.

Incompatibility

DG Classes of chemicals that could react

to produce a hazardous situation and

also considers the containers and

contaminants’ exposure due to

transportation, storage and use with

other materials.


© 2011 Chemwatch

Dangerous Goods Class and subsidiary risk(s)

Packing Group

Special precautions for user

Hazchem Code

15 Regulatory Information

Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons

(SUSDP) under the Therapeutic Goods Act (1989)

Applicable prohibition, notification/licensing requirements

including carcinogens under Commonwealth, State or

Territory legislation

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act (1988)

Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act

(1989)

Listing on the Australian Inventory of Chemicals

Substances (AICS)

Additional national and/or International regulatory

information should be included

16 Other Information

MSDS preparatory information, date of preparation or last

revision of the MSDS

Provide key/legend to abbreviations and acronyms used in

the MSDS

Provide literature references and sources of data

END.

Material for Export and Import

Section 14 may indicate regulatory

information relevant to international

transport as well as advice on overseas

regulatory transport requirements.

Examples

ADR Surface shipments in Europe by road

RID European International carriage by Rail

IMDG International Maritime Organization

Shipment by water

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation

Shipment by air

IATA International Air Transport Association

Shipment by air

Poisons Schedule Number

If the substance has not been scheduled,

then the MSDS should state there is no

Poisons Schedule number allocated to

that substance.

Preparation and Revisions

When revisions are made to an MSDS,

clearly must indicate where the changes

have been made to the previous version

of the MSDS, with an explanation of the

changes.


© 2011 Chemwatch

5 Distributing Materials

5.1 The Show Own List (Materials Register)

The Show Own list provides a register of your own organization’s register of products provided to Chemwatch

as an inventory or created by organization users. Materials can be distributed across the program tree

structure by copying or moving single or many items from a chemical list or document list and when viewing

the MSDS. The instructions below depict steps on how to distribute materials from own list.

Materials

Module

Task Description 4 : Distributing Materials

Copying a single or multiple materials from ‘Show Own’ list

Show Own List 1. Press on ‘Show Own’ button

2. Materials list displays, and then right click the mouse on the applicable chemical name and

select the copy button; notice the track button changes to copy icons on the first column.

3. To copy a single item, click on the grey copy icon next to the chemical name

4. To copy multiple items, click on many copy icons next to the chemical names. The copy

icons when selected turn color from grey to red. It important at this stage to identify the

materials to copy as well as the destination within the folder tree.

5. Click and hold a single red copy icon then drag and drop selection into a folder within the

tree structure. Dragging a single selected chemical picks up all selected icons into

destination folder.

6. Click on OK button on the copy complete confirmation message.


© 2011 Chemwatch

7. Folder will be highlighted in red once the chemicals have been successfully copied. END

Materials

Module

Task Description 5 : Tracking a material

Track a single material from ‘Show Own’ list


2. Materials list displays, then click on the Track button alongside a chemical name

3. Location identified in Folders directory (red highlight).END

5.2 Printing, Saving and Emailing Reports

Materials lists and MSDSs can be printed, saved and emailed through the task bar icons within a chemical list,

document list and on MSDS view. The table below illustrates the stepwise tasks to follow through the activity.

Materials

Module

Task Description 6 : Printing Vendor MSDSs as a batch file

Printing Vendor MSDSs from ‘Show Own’ list


2. Materials list displays, and then press the print icon on task bar. The print menu displays as

a drop down list of option.

3. Click on the Vendor SDS check box from the print menu and notice the track button changes

to print icons on the first column.

4. Select the print icon(s) alongside applicable chemical name (s) or click the check box in the

Print All column header to select all materials listed on show own (own register).

5. Press the Submit button from the print menu.

The program will open batch window showing progress bar for downloads. At 100% load,

PDF IDs generated with up to 20 MSDSs per batch file size.


© 2011 Chemwatch

6. Click on the PDF ID number to open the link ad display a batch file with various MSDS from

different suppliers.

7. Batch file loads the entire corresponding supplier MSDSs generated. Chemicals names are

indexed as book marks and searchable within the pdf file. To search for a specific MSDS,

use the search field to link searches in the listed bookmarked vendors MSDSs.

8. Print, save or email the batch file using the icons within the acrobat program.END.


© 2011 Chemwatch

6 The Folders Module

The Folders Module consists of various features; the tree structure and the display of folder contents.

The main objective of this module allows the management of chemical registers in folders and/or stores,

searching and distributing materials between various locations. Folders are created in order to populate

them with materials from own chemicals registers. Folder security can be applied to the folder tree

structure to protect contents and secure modification and/or deletion of folders/stores and its contents.

This module allows the distribution of entire personalized folders and the transfer of relevant documents

inside those folders into others. The distribution of entire folders/stores incorporates copying and moving

location(s) to a destination tier level depending on the expand level applied. There are 3 main expand

levels which can be based on a site map within an organization’s premises or regional sites depending on

the size and operational infrastructure where hazardous substances and dangerous goods are stored on

site(s).

6.1 Creating Folders

Regional sites, organizational

areas, premises, national or

interstate and/or local tiers.

Departmental, Building

compartmentalization, areas,

sections.

Divisions, locations, stores, sub-

visions, sub locations/stores. There

are no limits to creating tiers.

Task Description 7 :

Creating a Folder- an area


Creating a department


Creating a location

1. Right click on Folder directory

2. Select ‘create’ from the menu

3. A new node is added, type the

name of the area, for example,

‘Water Treatment Plant

4. Click on any GUI space. Folder

name is created in level 1.

5. Right click on area name

‘Water Treatment Plant’


as shown in Task 7: Step 2


name of the department, for

example, Chemical Storage


name is created at level 2.

9. Right click on “Chemical

Storage’.


as shown in Task 7: Step 2


location name, ‘Cabinet’


name is created at level 3.

END.


© 2011 Chemwatch

6.2 Editing Folders


Rename a Folder


Delete a Folder


Edit a Folder: Cut, Copy, Paste

1. Right click on Folder to rename

2. Select ‘Rename’ from the menu

3. Type new folder name

4. Click on any GUI space

1. Right click on Folder to delete

2. Select ‘Delete’ from the menu

3. Click OK to confirm deletion

4. Click OK to accept completion

1. Right click on Folder to move

2. Select ‘Edit’ from the menu

3. Click ‘Cut’ to move folder

4. Right click on destination folder

5. Select ‘Edit’ from the menu

6. Click Paste

Follow the steps above for Copy.

END.

6.3 Distributing Materials

Materials can be distributed across the folders and stores by copying or moving single or many items from a

chemical list or document list and when viewing the MSDS. The instructions described in Task Description 4

depicts the steps on how to distribute materials from own register (chemical list).

Folders

Module


Copying a single or multiple materials from ‘Folder’ list

Folder View Click on the source ‘Folder Name within the tree

Folder contents displayed on the right hand side of the window

Materials list displays, right click the mouse on the applicable chemical name

select the copy button; notice the track button changes to copy icons on the first column

To copy a single item, click on the grey copy icon alongside the chemical name


© 2011 Chemwatch

OR;

To copy multiple items, click on many copy icons next to the chemical names. The copy icons

turn color from grey to red when selected. It important at this stage to identify the

destination folder.

Click and hold a single red copy icon then drag and drop selection into a folder within the tree

structure. Dragging a single selected chemical picks up all selected icons into destination folder.

Note

Click on OK button on the copy complete confirmation message.

Folder will be highlighted in red once the chemicals have been successfully copied. END

Folders

Module


Moving a single or multiple materials from ‘Folder’ list

Folder View Click on the source ‘Folder Name within the tree


Materials list displays, right click the mouse on the applicable chemical name

select the move button; notice the track button changes to move icons on the first column


© 2011 Chemwatch

To move a single item, click on the grey copy icon alongside the chemical name

OR;

To move multiple items, click on many copy icons next to the chemical names. The move icons

turn color from grey to red when selected. It important at this stage to identify the

destination folder.

Click and hold a single red copy icon then drag and drop selection into a folder within the tree

structure. Dragging a single selected chemical picks up all selected icons into destination folder.

Note

Click on YES button on the dialogue message to continue to move all the items selected from the

chemical list. If you choose NO, the program will retract back to step 1.

Click on OK button on the move complete confirmation message.

Folder will be highlighted in red once the chemicals have been successfully moved. END


© 2011 Chemwatch

Folders

Module


Adding a single material into a folder/store

Folder View Click on the source ‘Folder Name within the tree where material would be deposited


Materials list displays, right click the mouse on the chemical list and select the add new button.

Notice the add button links to the search panel. Refer to Task Description 1 and 2 to conduct a

search for a particular product. Search for ‘acetone’ and follow the steps below;

To add a single item, click on the add icon alongside the chemical name

Click OK on confirmation message.

If there are more than one MSDS within a chemical since the search focused only on material

name only, click NO to open the document list and choose applicable MSDS by a particular

supplier and latest issue date.

To add a single item, click on the add icon alongside the document name with stipulated

language, country and issue date (latest version).Drag and drop icon [single or multiple

selection(s)] into folder destination.

Note

Click the OK button on the copy complete confirmation message. The folder will be highlighted in red

once the chemicals have been successfully copied. END


© 2011 Chemwatch

6.4 General Search in Folders Module

General searching applies to both materials and folders/stores. The table below illustrates various types of

search links within this module.

Search Option Task Description 13: Searching for Materials in Folders Module

Material(s) Search

Name/CAS

Name

Searching by Name can include the following options;

Search by chemical name, e.g. acetone

Search by product name e.g. thinner

Search by synonym, e.g. 2-propanone

Search by preferred name (added to a Gold MSDS) through the rename function

Search by company name (some manufacturers use their own supplier names as part of

the product name or trade name, for example, conduct a name search by for Wattyl

products in the Name/CAS field. Wattyl products listed.END.

Search Option Task Description 13: Searching for Folder(s) in Folders Module

Folder(s) Search Link

Folder name

search

Search by folder name identifies folder’s location within the tree structure

Click on the Folder(s) Search link button

Search for folder name “ Workshop’ as depicted below;

Click the OK button to search. The folder ‘Workshop’ is highlighted in red within the

tree.


© 2011 Chemwatch

If a folder does not exist, the result would be ‘Folder not Found’.END.

7 Part Numbers

The Part Number screen consists of seven tabs; Summary, Vendor Assigned, User Assigned Gold

MSDS, User Assigned Vendor MSDS and Bar Coding. The ‘Part Number Tool’ can be used to add,

delete and view part numbers. The user can assign own codes or stock number to any material in the

database. Once a code has been assigned, user is able to search for the material using the newly

assigned user part number rather than the material name for an exact match.

To view the summary for part number searches in terms of part no., volume and container type; simply

click Summary. There are two type of main part numbers; namely the “user” and the “vendor” and the

latter is normally assigned to a type of vendor MSDS by manufacturers.

7.1 Creating User Part Numbers

Search Option Task Description 14: Creating Part Numbers

Assign a User Part Number to a Material in a Folder

User Part

Number

Ensure that the permanent filters in the Set Up Tool have “Show Part Number” checked

Open Folders Module

Click on a folder with products. The Chemical list consists of a Part Number Column

Click on the part number icon alongside a material, e.g. acetone

Select ‘User Assigned Gold MSDS’ tab

Click the add button in the edit tool

Enter respective values for the fields ‘Part Number’, Volume* and confirm continer Type*

Click the OK button to save input. END.