Health & Safety Information

Product Name: Hot Melt Adhesive
Date: February 21, 1995
Revision date: July 14th 2003

1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PREPARATION AND COMPANY

Product Name and Code: Hot Melt Adhesive
Normal Use: to be used as an adhesive for various industrial end uses

Contact details of company:

FOSPAT INDUSTRIAL LTD
Hints Road, Mile Oak
Tamworth
Staffordshire B78 3PQ
Tel: (01827) 288188
Fax: (01827) 251444)

Emergency phone: Tel: (07966) 443015 / (07971) 571288

2 COMPOSITION / INFORMATIONS ON INGREDIENTS

Substances representing a health hazard within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC -

Names	Concentration	Symbols	Risk Phrases
Vinyl acetate	<0.3%	F	R11

The above is present as an impurity.

3 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION OF THE PREPARATION

Not classified under the chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations (CHIP) 1994.

4 FIRST AID MEASURES

General
Hotmelt adhesives pose virtually no hazards to health when used in normal industrial practice, but because they are used in a molten state at high temperatures there is a risk of thermal burns. Skin contact with molten melt should be avoided and precautions taken against accidental splashes of adhesive. The use of hinged guards and the insulation of hot pipes, tanks etc. minimizes the risk of burns.

Inhalation
Noxious and irritating fumes may be released from heating hotmelts. Vapours given off during operation are not considered toxic, but if overheated chemical breakdown of the components may occur releasing complex mixture of organic materials, some of which may be toxic or irritant. Remove to fresh air, keeping patient warm and at rest. If breathing is irregular or stopped, administer artificial respiration. Give nothing by mouth. Treat any irritation symptomatically. If unconscious, place in recovery position and seek medical advice.

Eye contact
For solid treat as inert particles and irrigate copiously with clean fresh water. For molten hotmelt irrigate with cold water and seek medical advice immediately.

Skin contact
Solid cold hotmelt is harmless to the skin. Wash hands with soap and water. Skin affected by molten hotmelt should be plunged into cold water immediately and left until the burning sensation subsides. If no tap is available have a bucket of clean cold water available. If coated with hotmelt move fingers to prevent a tourniquet effect as it cools. Do not remove the adhesive when molten as it might remove skin to quite depth leaving a raw wound. Even when solid remove with care as the above may still occur. If difficult to remove, with medical approval, olive oil or liquid paraffin should be soaked into a cottonwool pad and placed over the affected area. This will slowly soften the adhesive into the pad. When hotmelt is removed treat as a normal burn. In isolated circumstances an allergic reaction may occur and direct contact with the adhesive and its vapour should be avoided.

Ingestion
If accidentally swallowed, obtain immediate medical attention. Keep at rest. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give large quantities of water but never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

5 FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

A solid or when heated liquid with no flash point. The product is combustible and will burn in the event of a small fire but has not unusual fire or explosion hazards. If a fire does occur extinguish with dry agent, foam or CO². Water should not be allowed to come into contact with molten hotmelt adhesives. Fire will produce dense black smoke and toxic gases e.g. carbon monoxide which must not be inhaled.

6 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Sweep up granules of solid material and place in a container for disposal according to local regulations (see section 13). Allow melt to cool and solidify. Scrape up and dispose of as above. Do not allow to enter drains or water courses.

7 HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling
Do not heat hotmelt above recommended temperatures. Avoid overheating hotmelts as this can give rise to excessive fuming indicating polymer breakdown and production of toxic or irritant vapours. The product contains some residual free vinyl acetate and on overheating acetic acid can be produced by decomposition. The requirements of regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act should be complied with.

Storage
Hotmelts can be stored for indefinite periods, but stock rotation is advised. Store in a dry, well ventilated place. Keep in original containers to avoid contamination with moisture and other foreign bodies. Keep containers closed.

8 EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

Provide adequate extraction/ventilation of fumes and vapours released from molten hotmelt.

Exposure Limits
Occupational exposure limit (OEL) for ppm given in EH40

NAME LTEL STEL
Vinyl Acetate 10 20
Acetic Acid 10 15

Personal protection
Gloves to avoid contact with molten adhesive

Respiratory protection
No special protection necessary

Hand protection
Wear gloves to avoid contact with molten adhesive. Wash hands with soap and water after use.

Eye protection
Eye protection designed to protect against liquid splashes may be useful.

Skin protection
Cotton or cotton/synthetic overalls may be useful to avoid skin contact.

9 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Physical state : solid thermoplastic material
Flash point : >250°C
Specific gravity : 0.90 – 1.10
Solubility : Insoluble

10 STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions. (See section 7)
When exposed to high temperatures, may produce hazardous decomposition products such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and smoke as well as vinyl acetate and acetic acid.

11 TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

There are no data available on the product itself.

12 ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The product should not be allowed to enter drains or water courses or be deposited where it can effect ground surface waters.

13 DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Do not allow into drains or water courses or dispose of where ground or surface waters may be affected. Wastes should be disposed of in accordance with the regulations made under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

14 TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Not hazardous for transport.

15 REGULATORY INFORMATION

The product is not classified as dangerous under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1994.

16 OTHER INFORMATIONS

The information contained in this safety data is based on the present state of knowledge and current EEC and national legislation. It provides guidance on health, safety and environmental aspects of the product and should not be construed as any guarantee of technical performance or suitability for particular applications.