Grit and Salt Supply - Health & Safety

Rock Salt

1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Rock Salt is approximately 94% pure salt and has a characteristic reddish-brown colour owing to the presence of marl 
(an insoluble material) which is the chief impurity.

Alternative Names: Sodium Chloride, Common Salt, Halite

CAS Number: 007647 14 5

EINECS Number: 231 598 3

Hazardous Ingredient(s): Contains no Hazardous Ingredients
EC Directive 93/112/EEC

2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Unlikely to cause harmful effects under normal conditions of handling and use.

3. FIRST AID MEASURES

• Inhalation: Remove patient from exposure.
• Skin Contact: Wash skin with water
• Eye Contact: Irrigate with eyewash solution or clean water, holding the eyelids apart, for at least 10 minutes. If symptoms develop, obtain medical attention.
• Ingestion: Wash out mouth with water and give 200-300ml (half a pint) of water to drink. Obtain medical attention if ill-effects occur.
• Further Medical Treatment: Symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy as indicated

4. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

• Non-combustible
• Extinguishing Media: As appropriate for surrounding fire.
• Fire Fighting Protective No special requirements.
• Equipment

5. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

• Clear up spillages.
• Transfer to a container for disposal.
• Wash the spillage area with water.
• Spillages or uncontrolled discharges into watercourses, drains or sewers must be
  IMMEDIATELEY alerted to the Environment Agency or other appropriate regulatory body.

6. HANDLING AND STORAGE

• Handling: Avoid contact with eyes. Avoid prolonged skin contact.
  Atmospheric levels should be controlled in compliance with
  the occupational exposure limit. Keep away from strong acids
  and common metals. Static electricity can be generated by
  pneumatic conveying, therefore pipes should be bonded and
  earthed, especially where a spark could prove hazardous.
  
   
• Storage: Keep away from concentrated acids. Rock Salt can be stored
  outside. Care should be taken to avoid excessive run-off into
  water or onto vegetation.

8. PERSONAL PROTECTION AND EXPOSURE CONTROLS

Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. An approved dust mask
should be worn if exposure to levels above the occupational exposure limit is likely.

- Occupational Exposure Standard

- LTEL 8 hr Time Weighted Average
- ppm mg/m³ ppm
- Dust (Total Inhalable Dust) - 10
- Dust (Respirable Dust) - 5

(UK HSE Guidance Note EH40)

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• Form: Crystalline solid
• Colour: Red-brown
• Odour: Odourless
• Boiling Point (Deg C): 1413
• Melting Point (Deg C): 802
• Density of Sodium Chloride (g/ml) up to 2.165 at 20 Deg C
• Bulk Density (g/ml) 1.2 to 1.5 approx
• Solubility (Water) freely soluble
• Nominal Particle Range Size
• 10mm Ground Rock Salt 0-10mm
• 6mmGround Rock Salt 0-6mm

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

• Hazardous Reactions: Reactions with concentrated acid will produce hydrogen
  chloride. Under wet conditions, will corrode many common
  metals, particularly iron, aluminium and zinc.
   

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Inhalation: High concentrations of dust may be irritant to the respiratory
  tract.
• Skin Contact: Will remove the natural greases resulting in dryness, cracking
  and possibly dermatitis. Repeated and/or prolonged skincontact
  may cause irritation.
• Eye Contact: Dust may cause irritation.
• Ingestion: May cause vomiting and diarrhoea. The swallowing of small
  amounts is unlikely to cause any adverse effects.
• Long Term Exposure: Repeated ingestion of excessive amounts may cause
  disturbance of body electrolyte and fluid balance.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Environmental Fate and Distribution:
• High Tonnage material with wide disperse use. Solid with low
  volatility. The product is soluble in water. The product has no
  potential for bioaccumulation. The product is predicted to
  have high mobility in soil.
• Toxicity Low toxicity to aquatic organisms.
• Effect on Effluent Treatment Adverse effects would not be expected.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Disposal should be in accordance with local, state or national legislation.

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

• Not classified as Dangerous for Transport.

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

• Not classified as Dangerous for Supply / Use

16. OTHER INFORMATION

• USES: HIGHWAYS DE-ICING
   

This data sheet was prepared in accordance with Directive 93/112/EC and the Chemicals
(Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994.
Information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith but the
Customer should ensure the suitability for any particular purpose. Accordingly, Darlingtons
Group plc gives no warranty as to the fitness of the Product for use and any implied warranty
or condition (statutory or otherwise) is excluded except to the extent that such exclusion is
prevented by law.

June 1997