Issue 04: February 2018

SMR Proprietary Binder

1. Identification of Substance
An odourless white to grey powder mainly insoluble in water. When water is added it becomes a binder for construction applications.

SMR (UK) Ltd
Units 10a & 10b Norman Way Severnbridge Industrial Estate Portskewett
Monmouthshire
NP26 5PT

Emergency telephone number 01252 710772

2. Hazard Identification

2.1 Classification of Hazard
According to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP)

Hazard class

Eye irritation Skin Irritation

Hazard statements

H314 – Causes severe skin burns and eye damage H315 –Causes skin irritation
H319– Causes serious eye irritation
H335 – May cause respiratory irritation Precautionary statements

P102 – Keep out of the reach of children
P260 – Do not breathe dust/fumes/gas/mist/vapours/spray
P262 – Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing
P280 – Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection P301 + P310 – If swallowed, immediately call a poison centre or doctor
P309 + P311 – If exposed or if you feel unwell, call a poison centre or doctor P313 + P337 – Get medical advice/attention if eye irritation persists.

Hazard category

Hazard statements

2 H319: Causes serious eye irritation
1 H315: Causes severe skin burns and eye

damage
1B H314: May cause allergic skin reaction

3 H335: May cause respiratory irritation 2.1.1 Hazard and Precautionary statements

Skin sensitisation
Specific target organ toxicity

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2.2 Label elements

2.3 Other Hazards

1. a)  When the binder is mixed with water, or when the binder becomes damp, a strong alkaline solution is produced. If this comes into contact with the eyes or skin it may cause serious burns and ulceration. The eyes are particularly vulnerable and damage will increase with contact time. Strong alkaline solutions in contact with the skin tend to damage the nerve endings, first before damaging the skin, therefore chemical burns can develop without pain being felt at the time.

2. b)  Binder / water mixes may until set, cause irritant dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis is due to a combination of the wetness, alkalinity and abrasiveness of the constituent materials. If used outside of the declared shelf life, there may be a risk of allergic dermatitis due to sensitivity of an individual’s skin to elevated soluble hexavalent chromium.

3. c)  Base cation hydrated metasilicates are extremely destructive to mucus membranes and the upper respiratory tract and may be hazardous if inhaled. They also may cause severe skin burns and eye damage.

3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

3.1.1 Chemical Description

The principal constituents of these binders are calcium silicates, aluminates, base cation hydrated metasilicates, hydrated calcium sulphates and sulphates. Small amounts of alkalis, lime, magnesia and chlorides may also be present together with trace amounts of chromium compounds. Additional constituents may also be present, e.g. fly ash, limestone, clay and granulated blast furnace slag.

3.1.2 Hazardous Ingredients

1. a)  The lime, calcium silicates and alkalis within the binder are partially soluble and when mixed with water will give rise to a potentially hazardous alkaline solution.

2. b)  Soluble chromium (VI) in the binder is soluble and when mixed with water will give rise to a potentially hazardous solution.

3. c)  Dust, fumes, gas, mist, vapours or sprays containing base cation hydrated metasilicates are potentially hazardous.

4. First Aid Measures

4.1.1 Eye Contact

Do not rub eyes, as additional cornea damage is possible by mechanical stress. Remove any contact lenses and open the eyelid(s) widely to flush eye(s) immediately by thoroughly rinsing with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes to remove all particles. Seek medical advice without delay.

4.1.2 Skin Contact

Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water before continuing. If irritation, pain or other skin trouble occurs, seek medical advice. Clothing or shoes contaminated by the binder should be removed immediately and medical advice obtained. Garments should be washed thoroughly before use.

4.1.3 Ingestion

Do not induce vomiting. Wash out mouth with water and give patient plenty of water to drink. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention.

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4.1.4 Inhalation

Move the person to fresh air. Dust in the throat and nasal passages should clear spontaneously. Get medical assistance if irritation persists, later develops, or if discomfort, coughing or other symptoms do not subside. If the person is not breathing, give artificial respiration.

5. Fire – Fighting Measures

Binders are not flammable and will not facilitate combustion with other materials. Suitable extinguishing media: water spray, alcohol resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. At high temperatures (more than 1200°C) sulphur trioxide will be produced.

6. Accidental Release Measures

6.1.1 Personal Precautions

See 9.4

6.1.2 Cleaning Up

Recover the spillage in a dry state if possible. Minimise generation of airborne dust. Avoid breathing vapours, dust mist or gas and ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe area. The product can be slurried by the addition of water but will subsequently set as a hard material. Keep children away from cleanup operation.

7. Storage and Handling

7.1.1 Storage

Don not handle or store near food and beverages or smoking materials. Bulk binder must be stored in silos that are waterproof, clean and protected from contamination, dry (internal condensation minimised), airtight, with stock rotated in chronological order of the despatch dates marked on delivery tickets. Packed products must be stored in unopened bags clear of the ground in cool, dry conditions and protected from excessive draught, however the area must be well ventilated. Bags should be stacked in a safe and stable manner.

7.1.2 Handling

When handling binder bags, due regard should be paid to the risks outlined in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Some bags may have a small amount of binder on the outer surface. Appropriate personal protective clothing (see 9.4) should therefore be used whilst handling and appropriate exhaust ventilation should be provided at places where dust is formed.

8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

8.1.1 Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)

OEL 8hr Time Weighted Average (TWA) 10mg/m3 total inhalable dust
4mg/m3 respirable dust
Quartz (silica) 0.1 respirable dust

8.1.2 Engineering Measures

Where reasonably practicable dust exposures should be controlled by engineering methods.

8.1.3 Stock Control

For binders treated with a Cr (VI) reducing agent, the effectiveness of the reducing agent diminishes with time. Therefore cement bags and/or delivery documents will contain information on the period of time (shelf life) for which the manufacturer has established that the reducing agent will continue to maintain the level of soluble Cr (VI) below the imposed limit of 0.0002%, according to EN197-10. They will also indicate the appropriate storage conditions for maintaining the effectiveness of the reducing agent.

8.1.4 Personal Protective Equipment

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1. a)  Respiratory protection – Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle respirator type N100 (US) or type P3 (EN143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

2. b)  Hand and skin protection – Protective clothing should be worn which ensures that binder, or any binder/water mixture, does not come into contact with the skin. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove’s outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.

   Wash and dry hands. The selected protective gloves have to satisfy the specifications of EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the standard EN374 derived from it. In some circumstances, waterproof trousers and wellingtons may be necessary. Particular care should be taken to ensure that wet concrete does not enter the boots and persons do not kneel on the wet bound materials whilst curing as to bring the moisture into contact with unprotected skin. Should the binder get inside boots, gloves or other protective clothing then this protective clothing should be immediately removed and the skin thoroughly washed as well as the protective clothing/footwear.

3. c)  Eye protection – Dust-proof goggles should be worn wherever there is a risk of binder powder or any binder/water mixture entering the eye. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN166 (EU).

9. Physical / Chemical Properties

9.1.1 Physical Data

Physical state: Particulate
Mean particle size: 5-30 microns
Odour Not Applicable: (N/A)
pH once cured: 11.66
pH wet slurry: 12.98
Viscosity N/A
Freezing point N/A
Boiling point N/A
Melting point N/A
Flash point N/A (not flammable) Explosive properties N/A (not explosive) Apparent Density: 1188kg/m3
Solubility: 2.5g/I (0.5-3.0g/I)

9.1.2 Chemical Compounds

Mainly a mixture of: 3 CaO – SiO2 2 CaO – SiO2
3 CaO – AI2O3
4 CaO – AI2O3 –Fe2O3

CaSO4
MgO
Contains less than 1% crystalline silica.

10. Stability and Reactivity

Conditions contributing to chemical instability: none Hazardous decomposition products: none
Special precautions: none
Incompatible materials: strong oxidising agents

11. Toxicological Information

11.1.1 Short Term Effects

1. a)  Eye contact – binder is a severe eye irritant. Mild exposure can cause soreness. Gross exposure or untreated mild exposures can lead to chemical burning and ulceration of the eye.

2. b)  Skin contact – binder powder or any powder/water mixture may cause chemical burns and/or irritant contact dermatitis. If used outside of the declared shelf life, there may be risk of allergic dermatitis.

3. c)  Ingestion – causes burns.

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d) Inhalation – binder powder may cause inflammation and destruction of mucous membranes including the upper respiratory tract.

11.1.2 Chronic Effects

High repeated exposures in excess of the OEL have been linked with rhinitis and coughing. Skin exposure to binder outside of its declared shelf life may cause allergic dermatitis. Allergic dermatitis more commonly arises through contact with binder/water mixtures than dry binder.

12. Ecological Information

12.1.1 Aquatic Toxicity Rating

LC50 aquatic toxicity rating not determined. The addition of binders to water will, however, cause the pH to rise and may therefore be toxic to aquatic life in some circumstances.

12.1.2 Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Not applicable.

13. Disposal Considerations

Dispose of empty bags or surplus binder to a place authorised to accept builders’ waste Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Dispose of contaminated packaging as unused product. Keep out of the reach of children. Prevent powder / slurry from contaminating drains and watercourses.

14.

UN number

ADR / RID: 3253 IMDG: 3253 IATA: 3253

UN proper shipping name

ADR / RID: DISODIUM TRIOXOSILICATE IMDG: DISODIUM TRIOXOSILICATE IATA: Disodium trioxosilicate
Transport hazard class (es)

ADR/ RID: 8 IMDG: 8 IATA: 8

Packaging group

ADR / RID: III IMDG: III IATA: III

Environmental hazards

ADR / RID: no IMDG Marine pollutant: no IATA: no

Special precautions for user

No data available

15. Regulatory Information

•   CONIAC Health Hazard Information Sheet No. 26 (CEMENT)

•   Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

•   Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Regulations)

•   PORTLAND CEMENT DUST – criteria document for an occupational exposure limit. June 1994 (ISBN 07176 -

  0763 – 1)

•   HSE Guidance Notes EH26 (Occupational Skin Diseases – Health and Safety Precautions)

•   HSE Guidance Note EH40 (Occupational Exposure Limits

•   Any authorised manual on First Aid by St. John’s / St Andrew’s / Red Cross

•   Manual Handling Operations Regulations

•   Environmental Protection Act