MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

AUSTRALIAN BUILDERS GROUND SLAG

SECTION 1: MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER INFORMATION

Product Name: Australian Builders Ground Slag

Applicable In: Australia

Other Names: GGBS, Ground Slag, Slag

Recommended Use: Australian Builders Ground Slag may be used as a cement component, being
partial replacement for Portland cement. Requires alkali to initiate setting.
Used in concrete, mortars and grouts. As a hydraulic binder when mixed
with small quantities of lime.

Company Details: Building Products Supplies Pty Ltd

750 Lorimer Street
Port Melbourne, Vic 3207
ABN 95 006 150 036

Telephone: VIC 03 9676 0000

Facsimile: VIC 03 9646 4954

This Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is issued by Building Products Supplies Pty Ltd in accordance with
the Code and guidelines from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). The information in it
must not be altered, deleted or added to. Building Products Supplies Pty Ltd will not accept any responsibility
for any changes made to its MSDS by any other person or organisation. Building Products Supplies Pty Ltd
will issue a new MSDS when there is a change in product specifications and/ or ASCC standards, guidelines
or regulations.

SECTION 2: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Statement Of Hazardous Nature: This product is classified as NOT Hazardous according to the criteria
of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous
rd
Substances (NOHSC:1008) 3 Edition. Non-dangerous Goods

Risk Phrases:

Safety Phrases:
S22: Do not breathe dust.
S24/25: Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

SECTION 3: COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Chemical Name Proportion CAS Number
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace >95% 65996-69-2
Slag

Page 1 of 5 MSDS Australian Builders Ground Slag October 2012

SECTION 4: FIRST AID MEASURES

Swallowed: Rinse mouth and lips with water. Do not induce vomiting. Give water to drink. If symptoms
persist, seek medical attention.

Eyes: Flush thoroughly with flowing water, while holding eyelids open, for 15 minutes to remove all
traces. Do not attempt to remove solid particles embedded in the eye. If symptoms such as
irritation, pain or redness persist, seek medical attention.

Skin: Wash off skin thoroughly with water. Use a mild soap if available. Shower if necessary. Seek
medical attention for persistent irritation of the skin.

Inhaled: Remove to fresh air, away from dusty area. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention.

Advice to Doctor: Treat symptomatically.

SECTION 5: FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flammability: Not flammable. Does not cause dust explosions.

Suitable extinguishing media: Not applicable.

Hazards from combustion products: None.

Special protective precautions and equipment for fire fighters: None.

Hazchem Code: None Allocated

SECTION 6: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Spills: Spills are best cleaned up by a vacuum devise to avoid generating airborne dust. Recommendations
on Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection (see following sections) should be followed during spill clean-up.

SECTION 7: HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: Avoid breathing dust and limit unnecessary personal contact.

Storage: Avoid breathing dust. Protect from moisture.

Incompatibilities: None

Transport: Transportation is by rail, road or ship – in bulk form.

SECTION 8: EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

Exposure Standards:

No exposure standard is established for this material by the ASCC.

.
3
Note: total dust (of any type, or particle size): 10mg/m TWA as inspirable dust.

Engineering Controls:

Keep exposure to dust as low as practicable, with the aim of maintaining inspirable dust levels to below
3
10mg/m TWA (time-weighted average). Working in the open air and external openings (such as doors and
windows in buildings) generally provides adequate ventilation. Local mechanical ventilation or local dust
Page 2 of 5 MSDS Australian Builders Ground Slag October 2012
extraction may be used, if necessary, to control airborne dust levels. If generated dust cannot be avoided
follow personal protection recommendations. Where possible vacuum or wash down all gear, equipment or
mobile plant prior to maintenance and repair work. If compressed air cleaning cannot be avoided, wear eye
and respiratory protection, and clothing as listed below.

For bulk deliveries, closed pumping systems are recommended. For handling of individual bags, follow
personal protection instructions if no local exhaust ventilation is available.

Personal Protection:

Skin Protection:
Minimise contact when handling product.
Wear loose comfortable clothing, impervious footwear and gloves (standard duty leather or equivalent AS
2161).

Wash work clothes regularly.

Eye Protection:
Safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles (AS/NZ 1336) or face shield should be worn.

Respiratory Protection:
None required if engineering and handling controls are adequate. Where engineering and handling controls
are not adequate to minimize exposure to total dust, personal respiratory protection may be required.

The type of respiratory protection required is dependent on the concentration of the respirable crystalline
silica dust in the air and the frequency and length of exposure time. Amount of exertion required during the
work and personal comfort are other considerations in choice of respirator. A suitable P1 or P2 particulate
respirator chosen and used in accordance with AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 may be sufficient for many
situations, where high levels of dust are encountered, more efficient cartridge-type powered respirators or
supplied-air helmets may be necessary.

Use only respirators that bear the Australian Standards mark and are fitted and maintained correctly.
Note that persons with facial hair will have difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory face seal. For alternatives see
AS/NZS 1715: Selection and use of respirator protective devices.

SECTION 9: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance: Fine powder, off-white to grey in colour.

Odour: None

Particle Size: 93% of particles may be <45 um.

pH at stated concentration: Approximately 9-10

Vapour Pressure: Not Applicable

o
Boiling Point / Melting Point: MP 1300- 1400 c

Solubility in water: Immiscible

Specific Gravity: 0.60 – 1.12

Flammability Limits: Not Applicable

Flash Point: Not Applicable

Explosive Properties: None

Specification: None

Page 3 of 5 MSDS Australian Builders Ground Slag October 2012

SECTION 10: STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Australian Builders Ground Slag is considered stable and hazardous polymerisation will not occur.

Chemical Stability: Chemically Stable

Incompatible Materials: None

Conditions to Avoid: Keep free of moisture during storage

Hazardous Decomposition Products: None

Hazardous Reactions: None

SECTION 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Health Effects

Acute (short term) Exposure

Swallowed: Unlikely under normal industrial use. Mildly abrasive to mouth and throat if swallowed. The
material is a physical irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract.

Eyes: Generated dust may be discomforting and abrasive to eyes.

Skin: May cause drying of the skin, which may lead to dermatitis. The material may accentuate
any pre-existing dermatitis condition.

Inhaled: Dust is discomforting to the nose, throat and respiratory tract and may cause coughing and
sneezing. Persons with impaired respiratory function, may incur further disability id excessive
concentrations of particulates are inhaled.

Chronic (long term) Exposure- (Effects may occur after repeated or prolonged exposure)

Eyes: May cause irritation and inflammation of the eyes and aggravate pre-existing eye conditions.

Skin: Repeated contact may cause drying of the skin and may result in skin rash (dermatitis)
typically affecting the hands.

Inhaled: Repeated exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function. Pre-
existing upper respiratory and lung diseases including asthma and bronchitis may be
aggravated.

SECTION 12: ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Ecotoxicity: No data available

Persistence and Degradability: Persistent with low degradability.

Mobility: Low mobility would be expected in a landfill situation.

SECTION 13: DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Australian Builders Ground Slag can be treated as a common waste for disposal or dumped into a landfill site
in accordance with local authority guidelines. Recycling into other construction products is usually a
practicable alternative.

Measures should be taken to prevent dust generation during disposal.

Page 4 of 5 MSDS Australian Builders Ground Slag October 2012

SECTION 14: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Transportation is done in bulk or bag form by ship, rail or road.

UN Number: None Allocated

Class – Subsidiary Risk: None Allocated

Packaging Group: None Allocated

Proper Shipping Name: None Allocated

Hazchem Code: None Allocated

Incompatibilities: None

SECTION 15: REGULATORY INFORMATION

Poisons Schedule: Not scheduled

Classified as NOT HAZARDOUS according to the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)
rd
Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances (NOHSC:1008) 3 Edition.

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag is classified as non-Dangerous Good according to the Australian
Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail.

SECTION 16: OTHER INFORMATION

For further information on this product, contact:

Telephone: 03 9676 0000

Website: www.bpsaust.com

Emergency Contact Number: Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26

Australian Standards References:

AS/NZS 1336 Recommended practices for occupational eye protection.

AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices.

AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.

AS 2161 Industrial safety gloves and mittens (excluding electrical and medical glove.

Advice Note:
The information in this document is believed to be accurate. Please check the currency of this MSDS by
contacting: (03) 9676 0000.

The provision of this information should not be construed as a recommendation to use this product in violation
of any patent rights or in breach of any statute or regulation. Users are advised to make their own
determination as to the suitability of this information in relation to their particular purposes and specific
circumstances. Users should read this MSDS and consider the information in the context of how the product
will be handled and used in the workplace and in conjunction with other substances or products.

Page 5 of 5 MSDS Australian Builders Ground Slag October 2012