If your business is involved in manufacturing or using hazardous chemicals, you're likely well aware of the potential accidents and risks that can arise from inefficiencies in handling those chemicals. This point is further validated by a WHO statistic which states that in 2019, exposure to hazardous chemicals resulted in 2 million deaths globally.
To avoid such devastating chemical accidents in workplaces, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), which mandates chemical users, manufacturers, distributors, or importers to inform employees and possible users about hazardous chemicals in the workplace by providing clear and accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
In this article, we are going to discuss what safety data sheets (SDS) are and what are the SDS format requirements.
What is an SDS?
Safety data sheets (SDS) are a set of documents which include information on the dangers of a chemical product and precautions on how to safely handle, store, and transport it. It further includes details like properties of chemicals and various hazards associated with them.
If your business purchases, supplies, uses, or stores hazardous chemicals, it's mandatory to maintain accessible copies of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on-site. If you are a manufacturer or importer, it's your responsibility to prepare an accurate and compliant SDS for every hazardous chemical you handle. For that, you need to be aware of what are the SDS format requirements. Let's see what those are!
What Information Does an SDS Contain?
The information included in an SDS is maintained under sixteen headings, which ensures better clarity for the reader. While sections 1 to 11 are mandatory to be followed by all relevant stakeholders, there are some sections of the SDS that are not mandatory. These non-mandatory sections include sections 12 to 15, which are consistent with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
The following information associated with a chemical is contained in an SDS format:
Section 1. Identification
This section contains the product identifier, tradename, or any other means of identification. This may also include details like contact of the manufacturer or importer who has supplied the chemical and any emergency contact number. Additionally, it can also include information on recommended use and restrictions on use.
Section 2. Hazards identification
This SDS required section includes information on potential physical and health hazards associated with the chemical, which is used to assess risk to health and safety of people who come in contact with it. This information should match the information mentioned on the product label.
Section 3. Composition and information on ingredients
If the chemical is a mixture, the sheet should also contain information on the composition of elements used to manufacture the chemicals and proportions of any hazardous ingredients in it.
Section 4. First-aid measures
This section includes measures that should be taken if a person is exposed to the chemical by inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion. This should also specify the symptoms and effects that may arise, either delayed or instant. Furthermore, it includes what measures should be taken to provide immediate medical attention and special treatment.
Section 5. Firefight measures
This includes details on actions to be taken if a fire is caused by the chemical, including most suitable or unsuitable extinguisher media and any other protective measures like protective equipment.
Section 6. Accidental release measures
This SDS required section has details on actions to be taken if the chemical is released accidentally to reduce the effects on people, property, and environment.
Section 7. Handling and storage
Under this section goes the information related to the handling and storage of the chemicals safely so that there is minimal risk of exposure to the people, environment, or property.
Section 8. Exposure controls and personal protection
This part contains information on control measures that can be utilized to reduce exposure, for example, appropriate engineering controls, information on exposure standards, and guidance on required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
This part provides information on the chemical and physical properties of the chemical, for example, appearance, odors, pH, flash point, melting/boiling point, auto-ignition temperature, or any other relevant physical data.
Section 10. Stability and reactivity
This section includes details of any hazardous reactions that might occur if the chemical is used under specific conditions and details of any incompatible materials. This includes its reactivity, chemical stability, possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, and hazardous decomposition products.
Section 11. Toxicological information
This section contains information on the toxicological properties of the chemical. It is primarily used by medical professionals, toxicologists and workplace health and safety (WHS) professionals. This includes details like the probable routes of exposure, symptoms associated with physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics, delayed and immediate effects, and chronic effects from short-term and long-term exposure, and numerical measures of toxicity, including acute toxicity estimates (ATEs).
Section 12. Ecological information
This part provides detailed information on the ecological hazard properties of the chemical, such as its ecotoxicity, persistence and degradability, bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil, and other adverse effects.
Section 13. Disposal considerations
This section includes information on waste management such as safe handling for disposal and methods of disposal, including any contaminated packaging. It further explains how the chemical should be recycled or reclaimed.
Section 14. Transport information
This section contains basic information like UN number, UN proper shipping name, and transport hazard classes and packing groups, and other special precautions that relate to the transport and logistics of the chemical.
Section 15. Regulatory information
This section of SDS provides advice on international or national regulatory information related to the chemical, such as the Stockholm Convention (Persistent organic pollutants), the Montreal protocol (Ozone depleting substances), or any other applicable prohibition, notification, or licensing requirements.
Section 16. Any other information
This section provides any other information that may be relevant to the preparation of the SDS, such as the date of its preparation, a key to abbreviations, acronyms and references used in the SDS.
Best Practices for Maintaining SDS
In order to ensure better compliance with OSHA Safety Data sheets, you must follow certain best practices. These include:
1. Become familiar with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and SDS format to accurately identify what your workplace needs to do to stay compliant and safe.
2. Designate an individual responsible for overseeing the implementation of an effective HCS and SDS management.
3. Ensure employees receive thorough training on the hazardous chemicals in their work environment. They should be informed about new hazards as they are introduced and know how to access and interpret SDS.
4. Regularly review your SDSs to ensure they remain up-to-date and effective and also align with your workplace realities.
5. Maintain a digital record of your SDS. This ensures enhanced access due to better search features and also provides back up in case of accidental loss.
6. Use modern technologies like automated alerts for updated SDS versions, cloud storage, and compliance tracking software.
The Bottom Line
Safety data sheets (SDSs) are an essential requirement for businesses dealing with hazardous chemicals. Considering the devastating impact these chemicals can have on physical and environmental safety, maintaining SDSs is crucial.
To effectively manage Safety Data Sheets (SDS), it's essential to have a strong understanding of SDS requirements, maintain digitized records, and leverage modern technologies such as automation, cloud storage, and compliance tracking tools.
One such compliance tracking software is Effivity, which provides a 100% customizable occupational health & safety management system. It enables compliance management and corporate governance across your organization. It also ensures you remain compliant and analyses root cause whenever an issue arises. With everything stored securely on the cloud, compliance becomes easy to manage.
To learn more, visit Effivity's website today!
