What are MSDS or COSHH sheets?
These are documents which every manufacturer must produce which describe, in full, the materials which make up the product and any hazards associated with them. They're broadly the same thing so you'll see them referred to with both acronyms.
Safety Mascot 'Hugh B Kareful'
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet.
They're needed primarily by Couriers and Freight handlers but sometimes customers want them too.
They run through a few general areas -
Material Identification - What is the product?
Ingredients and Hazards - What's it made from, and how hazardous is it?
Physical Data - What does it look like? How does it smell? Is it soluble in Water? etc.
Fire and Explosion Data - What temperature is the flash point? Safe operating temperatures and specific firefighting techniques.
Health Hazard Information - Effects of exposure - contact with eyes, skin, ingestion etc. and what to do if contact occurs.
Reactivity Data - How stable is the product? Are there any conditions or other products to avoid?
Spill, Leak and Disposal Procedures - What to do in the event of a spill or leak and how to dispose of safely.
Any other Special precautions or protection information - Does the product need any special ventilation? Do the handlers need any special clothing?
There's an example sheet attached for the Vincent Bach 1885 Valve Oil - more hazardous than you'd think!