Material Safety Data Sheets

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture

Regulation (EC)No. 1272/2008 (CLP) None assigned.

Product is classified as flammable except for the FRA version, but will burn on contact with flame or exposure to high temperature (see Section 9).

IF IT IS NECESSARY TO SUMMON ASSISTANCE, ADVISE THE FIRE SERVICE THAT EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE IS INVOLVED.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a CFC and HCPC free material and is physically and chemically inert. It contains no known biological or physiological irritant.
Static build up whilst transferring EPS Bead can create a fire risk. Ensure EPS bead is transferred at slowest speed possible and that all transfer equipment is suitably earthed.
EPS is organic and therefore combustible. Although not exhaustive the following guide line and recommendations should be included when assessing the fire precautions of EPS product
Polystyrene dust, like other hydrocarbon based polymers in this form, is classified as a Group (A) flammable dust and precautions should be taken as required by Section 31 of the Factories Act 1961 and therefore no smoking and naked flames must be avoided.
Individual storage areas on building and civil engineering sites, generally, should not contain more than 60 cubic metres (about 1 tonne) of material. If a bigger volume needs to be stored, it should be divided into 2 or more areas, at least 20 metres apart.
If stored outside for more than 1 week it should be covered and at all times stored in a fenced compound to avoid arson.
Large stockpiles should have consideration to siting so that if a fire occurrs the molten liquid generated is adequately bunded and cannot flow down slopes, stairs etc. The bund needs to be liquid tight and fire-resisting and have capacity 3% of the total area. Wherever possible do not store on floors above ground level. The use of sprinkler systems should be considered and adequate access ways provided.
EPS should be stored away from highly inflammable material such as paint, solvents or petroleum products. Care should also be taken to avoid contact with aromatic, oils, and materials such as coal tar, pitch and creosote.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation boards and the lighter blocks tend to be relatively light and can easily be handled on site. Although the boards can be lifted by a single person, it is recommended that the polystyrene boards are carried by two people (especially in windy conditions) to avoid injury to the carrier or damage to the boards.
When forming, cutting or shaping expanded polystyrene (EPS) care must be taken to avoid ignition by burning or hot-wire cutting methods. Adequate ventilation must be provided to prevent respiratory tract and eye irritation which may be caused by any fumes which may be generated. Forming and shaping of expanded polystyrene (EPS) must be undertaken away, and at a safe distance from, the main stockpile to minimise any risk of fire or flame spread.

8.1 Control Parameters

Occupational Exposure Limits

The following are the Occupational Exposure Limits for the expansion agent and for decomposition
products.

TWA = Time Weighted Average STEL = Short Term Exposure Limit MEL = Maximum exposure limit

8.2 Exposure controls

8.2.1 Appropriate engineering controls	Use only in well-ventilated areas.
8.2.2 Personal protection equipment
Eye/face protection	Safety spectacles.
Skin protection (Hand protection)	Wear suitable gloves. Recommended: Impervious gloves (EN 374). Breakthrough time of the glove material: refer to the information provided by the gloves‘ producer. Wear suitable protective clothing. Antistatic safety shoes or antistatic boots.
Respiratory protection	An approved dust mask should be worn if dust is generated during handling and processing.
Thermal hazards	Not applicable.
8.2.3 Environmental Exposure Controls	European Community and local provisions on Volatile Organic Substances (VOC), are to be fulfilled when they are applicable to the EPS industry.
8.2.4 Further information

Further protection required when handling expanded polystyrene, other than those stated under Section 16 should not normally be required, however individual exceptions may be established as the end user should ensure a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is undertaken when Interacting with Polystyrene (EPS) and its processors or operations.
EPS is not known to lead to any skin irritations is chemically stable, biologically inert and non-toxic. EPS is flammable and contains residual amounts of pentane and styrene monomer.
Precautions must be taken in storing, cutting with hot wire, bandsaws, sanding discs and applying the polystyrene material to ensure protection against ignition, contact with solvent based products and PVC-e.g. Electrical cable
Insulation-due to the migration properties of plasticisers in PVC.
Where substantial dust is produced in subsequent re-working or processing of EPS (e.g. band sawing or grinding), suitable dust extraction should be provided, to ensure that exposure does not exceed 10mg/m3 8 hours TWA (Occupational Exposure} and adequate fume extraction must be considered dependant on any hot wire process used.

This assessment is based on information available on similar products.

11.1 Information on toxicological effects

This environmental hazard assessment is based on information available on similar products.
This product contains substances which are classified as dangerous for the environment. However recent studies on aquatic organisms have shown that EPS beads, while containing these substances, do not need to be classified for environmental hazard.

Recover or recycle if possible using a registered re-cycler. Scrap expanded polystyrene is not classified as “Notifiable Waste” and may be disposed of at suitable landfill sites or by incineration under approved conditions. The Local Authority Waste Disposal Officer should be contacted for advice on the correct method to be used. Flame retardant grades contain a halogen complex flame retardant additive encapsulated in the polystyrene which can give rise to the emission of gases such as hydrogen bromide during incineration of waste product. Unofficial dumping or incineration of polystyrene waste is not allowed.

European Waste catalogue number:170604

U.N. Number (United Nations) 2211
EPS products may contain residual amounts of pentane so good ventilation should be provided during transportation
No smoking and controls against exposure to ignition sources should be enforced whilst transporting, loading and unloading operations.

15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture.

The data should be considered when making any assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSSH) and related guidance, for example, “COSSH Essentials” (United Kingdom).
Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
If other regulatory information applies that is not already provided elsewhere in this safety data sheet, then it is described in this subsection.

15.2 Chemical Safety Assessment
Chemical Safety Assessment not required.

Uses range – Insulation of walls, roofs and floors in domestic and other buildings. Cut pieces for packaging, civil engineering and floatation, protection of foundations from clay movement.

Manufactures Safety Data Sheet Listing – Edition 03 Revised October 2018

Safety Data Sheet Distribution -This document contains important information to ensure the safe storage, handling and use of this product. The information in this document should be brought to the attention of the person in your organisation, responsible for advising on safety matters.

Information contained in this document or as otherwise supplied to Users is believed to be accurate and in good faith, but it is for the Users to satisfy themselves of the suitability of the product for their own particular purpose. Eccleston & hart Ltd gives no warranty as to the fitness of the product for any particular purpose and any implied warranty or condition (statutory or otherwise) is excluded except to the extent that exclusion is prevented by law. Eccleston & Hart Ltd accepts no liability for loss or damage (other than that arising from death or personal injury caused by a defective product, if proved), resulting from reliance on this information.