Safety Data Sheets

Safety data sheets, or SDS, are an important component of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). SDS’s provide information on chemicals, chemical mixtures, and chemical compounds. They must include instructions for the safe use of such materials and the hazards associated with each material or product. They must be easily available to all employees at the workplace. SDS must include the chemicals risks, safety, environmental effects, physical effects, chemical properties, protective measures, and handling/storing/transporting information of all chemicals. SDS’s are a critical component of OHSA’s Hazardous Communication Standard. OSHA requires chemical producers, importers, distributers, and users to have Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Providing an SDS for every chemical at the workplace is part of hazardous communication standard’s right-to-know provisions. SDS training is required for all employees who work with hazardous chemicals. Employees must know the written description for all chemical products at their workplace, how to use and interpret SDS, and how to access an SDS. The workplace should maintain a hazardous communication program, written chemical inventory of all hazards, and a chemical hazard training program for all employees.

  1. SDS Procedures:
  • SDS’s are a critical component of OSHA’s hazard communication standard.
  • OSHA’s hazardous communication standard covers over 6000 chemical products.
  • SDS’s:
  • Include important information that employees who work with chemicals must know.
  • Must be easily accessible for all employees at all times.
  • Must be read very carefully before using, storing, transporting, or handling any chemical.
  • Employees who need to access to an SDS must be trained on how to use it.
  • If employees have any question after reading an SDS about any chemical or hazard they must ask a supervisor.