Safety Data Sheet — Helium

Product identifier

Product name

Helium, Compressed

Synonyms

051 — SDS Number

Uses and uses advised against

Uses

Industrial applications, Laser applications, Balloon gas, Calibration.

Details of the supplier of the product

Supplier name

APAC GAS PTY LTD

Address

99 Bakers Road, Coburg North, Vic 3058, Australia

Telephone

1300 123 082

Website

http://www.apacgas.com.au

Emergency telephone numbers

Emergency

Dial 000

CLASSIFIED AS HAZARDOUS ACCORDING TO SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA CRITERIA.

Classification of the substance or mixture

Physical Hazards

Gases Under Pressure: Compressed gas

Health Hazards

Not classified as a Health Hazard

Environmental Hazards

Not classified as an Environmental Hazard

GHS Label elements

Signal word

WARNING

Hazard statements

H280 — Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.

Prevention statements

None allocated.

Response statements

None allocated.

Storage statements

P410 + P403 — Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place.

Disposal statements

None allocated.

Other hazards

Asphyxiant. Effects are proportional to oxygen displacement.

Substances / Mixtures

Description of first aid measures

Eye

None required.

Inhalation

If inhaled, remove from contaminated area. To protect rescuer, use an Air-line respirator or Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Apply artificial respiration if not breathing. Give oxygen if available. For advice, contact a Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia Wide) or a doctor.

Skin

None required.

Ingestion

Ingestion is not considered a potential route of exposure.

First aid facilities

None allocated.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

In high concentrations may cause asphyxiation. Symptoms may include loss of mobility / consciousness. Victim may not be aware of asphyxiation.

Immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

Treat symptomatically.

Extinguishing media

Use water fog to cool containers from protected area.

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

Non flammable.

Advice for firefighters

Temperatures in a fire may cause cylinders to rupture. Cool cylinders or containers exposed to fire by applying water from a protected location. Remove cool cylinders from the path of the fire. Evacuate the area if unable to keep cylinders cool. Do not approach cylinders or containers suspected of being hot.

Hazchem code

Hazchem

2T

2

Fine Water Spray.

T

Wear full fire kit and breathing apparatus. Dilute spill and run-off.

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures

If the cylinder is leaking, evacuate area of personnel. Inform manufacturer/supplier of leak. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as detailed in Section 8 of the SDS.

Environmental precautions

Prevent from entering sewers, basements and workpits, or any place where its accumulation can be dangerous.

Methods of cleaning up

Carefully move material to a well ventilated remote area, then allow to discharge if safe to do so. Do not attempt to repair leaking valve or cylinder safety devices.

Reference to other sections

See Sections 8 and 13 for exposure controls and disposal.

Precautions for safe handling

Use of safe work practices are recommended to avoid inhalation. Do not drag, drop, slide or roll cylinders. The uncontrolled release of a gas under pressure may cause physical harm. Use a suitable hand truck for cylinder movement.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Cylinders should be stored below 65°C in a secure area, upright and restrained to prevent cylinders from falling. Cylinders should also be stored in a dry, well ventilated area constructed of non-combustible material with firm level floor (preferably concrete), away from areas of heavy traffic and emergency exits.

Specific end uses

No information provided.

Control parameters — Exposure standards

Biological limits

No biological limit values have been entered for this product.

Exposure controls

Engineering controls

Provide suitable ventilation to minimise or eliminate exposure. Confined areas (e.g. tanks) should be adequately ventilated or gas tested.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Eye / Face

Wear safety glasses.

Hands

Wear leather gloves.

Body

Wear coveralls and safety boots.

Respiratory

Where an inhalation risk exists, wear Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or an Air-line respirator.

Information on basic physical and chemical properties

Reactivity

Carefully review all information provided in sections 10.2 to 10.6.

Chemical stability

Stable under recommended conditions of storage.

Possibility of hazardous reactions

Polymerization will not occur.

Conditions to avoid

Avoid shock, friction, heavy impact, heat, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources.

Incompatible materials

Compatible with most commonly used materials.

Hazardous decomposition products

May evolve toxic gases if heated to decomposition.

Information on toxicological effects

Acute toxicity

Based on available data, the classification criteria are not met.

Skin

Not classified as a skin irritant.

Eye

Not classified as an eye irritant.

Sensitisation

Not classified as causing skin or respiratory sensitisation.

Mutagenicity

Not classified as a mutagen.

Carcinogenicity

Not classified as a carcinogen.

Reproductive

Not classified as a reproductive toxin.

STOT — single exposure

Asphyxiant. Effects are proportional to oxygen displacement. Over exposure may result in dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, breathing difficulties and unconsciousness.

STOT — repeated exposure

Not classified as causing organ damage from repeated exposure.

Aspiration

Not applicable to gases and gas mixtures.

Toxicity

No ecological damage caused by this product.

Persistence and degradability

The product is expected to biodegrade and is not expected to persist for long periods in an aquatic environment.

Bioaccumulative potential

This product does not bioaccumulate.

Mobility in soil

The substance is a gas, not applicable.

Other adverse effects

No information provided.

Waste treatment methods

Waste disposal

Cylinders should be returned to the manufacturer or supplier for disposal of contents.

Legislation

Dispose of in accordance with relevant local legislation.

CLASSIFIED AS A DANGEROUS GOOD BY THE CRITERIA OF THE ADG CODE.

14.6 Special precautions for user

Hazchem code

2T

GTEPG

2C1

EmS

F-C, S-V

Other information

Ensure cylinder is separated from driver and that outlet of relief device is not obstructed.

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

Poison schedule

A poison schedule number has not been allocated to this product using the criteria in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP).

Classifications

Safe Work Australia criteria is based on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS Revision 7).

Inventory listings

AUSTRALIA: AIIC (Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals) — All components are listed on AIIC, or are exempt.

Additional information

The storage of significant quantities of gas cylinders must comply with AS4332 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders.

Application method: Gas regulator of suitable pressure and flow rating fitted to cylinder or manifold with low pressure gas distribution to equipment.

Personal protective equipment guidelines

The recommendation for protective equipment contained within this report is provided as a guide only. Factors such as form of product, method of application, working environment, quantity used, product concentration and the availability of engineering controls should be considered before final selection of personal protective equipment is made.

Health effects from exposure

It should be noted that the effects from exposure to this product will depend on several factors including: form of product; frequency and duration of use; quantity used; effectiveness of control measures; protective equipment used and method of application. Given that it is impractical to prepare a report which would encompass all possible scenarios, it is anticipated that users will assess the risks and apply control methods where appropriate.

Abbreviations

ACGIH

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

CAS #

Chemical Abstract Service number — used to uniquely identify chemical compounds

CNS

Central Nervous System

EC No.

European Community Number

EMS

Emergency Schedules (Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods)

GHS

Globally Harmonized System

GTEPG

Group Text Emergency Procedure Guide

IARC

International Agency for Research on Cancer

LC50

Lethal Concentration, 50% / Median Lethal Concentration

LD50

Lethal Dose, 50% / Median Lethal Dose

mg/m³

Milligrams per Cubic Metre

OEL

Occupational Exposure Limit

pH

Relates to hydrogen ion concentration using a scale of 0 (high acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline).

ppm

Parts Per Million

STEL

Short-Term Exposure Limit

STOT-RE

Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure)

STOT-SE

Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)

SUSMP

Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons

SWA

Safe Work Australia

TLV

Threshold Limit Value

TWA

Time Weighted Average

[ End of SDS ]