The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
Contents
How many items are there in Safety Data Sheet?
on November 19, 2020 | Featured A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is required for any chemical to ensure workplace safety and health. Safety Data Sheets are an essential item in the workplace to learn about the hazards of chemicals and how to handle them safely.
Under the revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) regulation, a chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer (i.e., companies who purchase and use the chemicals) must provide the Safety Data Sheets to the downstream users. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
A Safety Data Sheet is a document that consists of comprehensive data of chemical compounds, including its properties, handling, storage, and safety precautions. These documents provide helpful information regarding physical characteristics, the response to exposure, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Identification: Must provide the details of the manufacturer, chemical name.
- Hazard Identification: Must include the information regarding the hazard classifications and statements, pictograms for hazard symbols, and precautionary statements.
- Composition/Information on ingredients: Must provide concentration, CAS, and other chemical names. It also includes information on compound or mixture and its trade secret.
- First-aid measures: Must include necessary first-aid steps if there are any symptoms or effects as provided. It is also helpful for knowing immediate medical treatment.
- Fire-fighting measures: Must provide appropriate or inappropriate fire equipment that can be used during hazards and also advises PPE and precautions.
- Accidental release measures: Includes necessary actions during leaks or spillages and methods to clean along with the precautions.
- Handling and storage: Must include the precautions for safe handling and recommends protective storage.
- Exposure controls/Personal protection: Must provide threshold values, exposure limits or any other limits provided by the manufacturer along with the recommended Personal Protective Equipment
- Physical and chemical properties: Lists all the characteristics of the chemical like odor, melting point, solubility, flammability, etc.
- Stability and reactivity: Must include the stability of the chemical at the ambient conditions, possibilities of hazardous reactions, and the conditions that should be avoided.
- Toxicological information: Must provide the information related to the short- or long-term effects of inhalation of toxic chemicals, symptoms, and precautions.
- Ecological information: Includes the harmful effects on the environment.
- Disposal considerations: Advice about suitable methods and containers to dispose of safely.
- Transport information: Includes proper shipping name, transport hazard class, and precautions while transporting a chemical.
- Regulatory information: Safety, health, and environmental regulations specific to the compound.
- Other information: Necessary to include the date of the SDS prepared when the new information is updated, and any other information.
These 16 sections provide all sorts of information for a hazardous chemical should possess. Each section in the SDS has a unique significance. Safety Data Sheets are updated when there is new knowledge on handling, storage, and protective measures, as determined by the manufacturer. Satya | Chemical Engineer Satya is the resident Chemical Engineer here at SafetyStratus, She is focused on supporting and improving the Chemical Inventory and related products and services for the SafetyStratus platform. She has recently completed her master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
While relatively new to the business world, she has conducted cutting edge research, participated in several notable projects, and worked at a refinery, a steel processing plant, and, most notably, for the Center of Atomic Research. She is eager to use her skills and talents to share knowledge with the broader EHS community.
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- Gilman, L.J. (2016). Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Overview. Retrieved from Ucsd.edu website: https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/SDS/index.html
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2015). Retrieved from Ccohs.ca website: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/whmis_ghs/sds.html
- United States Department of Labor. (2012). Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets – OSHA 3514 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from Osha.gov website: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html
- United States Department of Labor. (2015). OSHA QUICK CARD (TM): Hazard Communication Safety Data Sheets | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from Osha.gov website: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_SafetyData.html
United States Department of Labor. (2017). Hazard Communication | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from Osha.gov website: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/
How many categories are on SDS?
The Sixteen (16) Sections of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) The Global Harmonization System (GHS) is a product of the United Nations that embodies an international approach to hazard communication using an agreed upon criteria for classifying hazardous chemicals and a standardized method to communicate the hazards through use of container labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
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Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.1200 indicates the required (and suggested) information to include in the SDS and the format. Sections 1-11 and 16 are required, sections 12-15 may be included but are not required.
Section 1—Identification: Product identifier, manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number, emergency phone number, recommended use, and restrictions on use. Section 2—Hazard(s) identification: All hazards regarding the chemical and required label elements. Section 3—Composition/Information on ingredients: Information on chemical ingredients and trade secret claims. Section 4—First-aid measures: Required first aid treatment for exposure to a chemical and the symptoms (immediate or delayed) of exposure. Section 5—Fire-fighting measures: The techniques and equipment recommended for extinguishing a fire involving the chemical and hazards that may be created during combustion. Section 6—Accidental release measures: Steps to take in the event of a spill or release involving the chemical. Includes: emergency procedures, protective equipment and proper methods of containment and cleanup. Section 7—Handling and storage: Precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities. Section 8—Exposure controls/Personal protection: OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (PELs), threshold limit values (TLVs), appropriate engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Section 9—Physical and chemical properties: The chemical’s characteristics. Section 10—Stability and reactivity: Chemical stability and possible hazardous reactions. Section 11—Toxicological information: Routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or absorption contact), symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of toxicity. Section 12—Ecological information: How the chemical might affect the environment and the duration of the effect. Section 13—Disposal considerations— describes safe handling of wastes and methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated packaging. Section 14—Transportation information— includes packing, marking, and labeling requirements for hazardous chemical shipments. Section 15—Regulatory information— indicates regulations that apply to chemical. Section 16—Other information— includes date of preparation or last revision.
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The Sixteen (16) Sections of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
What are the 2 most important sections in SDS?
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Explained Last Updated: September 22, 2020 10:41:01 AM PDT Safety Data Sheets (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets) communicate hazard information about chemical products.
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The federal, revised in 2012, now requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers to provide new Safety Data Sheets in a uniform format that includes the section numbers, headings, and associated information below. Section 1 – Identification identifies the chemical on the SDS as well as the recommended uses.
- It also provides the essential contact information of the supplier.
- Section 2 – Hazard(s) identification includes the hazards of the chemical and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards.
- Section 3 – Composition/information on ingredients identifies the ingredient(s) contained in the product indicated on the SDS, including impurities and stabilizing additives.
This section includes information on substances, mixtures, and all chemicals where a trade secret is claimed. Section 4 – First-aid measures describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical.
Section 5 – Fire-fighting measures lists recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical, including suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment, and chemical hazards from fire. Section 6 – Accidental release measures provides recommendations on the appropriate response to spills, leaks, or releases, including containment and cleanup practices to prevent or minimize exposure to people, properties, or the environment.
It may also include recommendations distinguishing between responses for large and small spills where the spill volume has a significant impact on the hazard.
Section 7 – Handling and storage provides guidance on the safe handling practices and conditions for safe storage of chemicals, including incompatibilities. Section 8 – Exposure controls/personal protection indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure. Section 9 – Physical and chemical properties identifies physical and chemical properties associated with the substance or mixture.
Section 10 – Stability and reactivity describes the reactivity hazards of the chemical and the chemical stability information. This section is broken into 3 parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other. Section 11 – Toxicological information identifies toxicological and health effects information or indicates that such data are not available.
- This includes routes of exposure, related symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of toxicity.
- Section 12 – Ecological information provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the environment.
- Section 13 – Disposal considerations provides guidance on proper disposal practices, recycling or reclamation of the chemical(s) or its container, and safe handling practices.
To minimize exposure, this section should also refer the reader to Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) of the SDS. Section 14 – Transport information includes guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting of hazardous chemical(s) by road, air, rail, or sea.
Section 15 – Regulatory information identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS. Section 16 – Other information indicates when the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision was made. The SDS may also state where the changes have been made to the previous version.
You may wish to contact the supplier for an explanation of the changes. Other useful information also may be included here. : Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Explained
Do I need an SDS for every chemical?
December 23, 2014 Mr. Robb Boros Patterson Logistics Services, Inc.1905 Lakewood Drive Boone, Iowa 50036 Dear Mr. Boros: Thank you for your January 17, 2014, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Directorate of Enforcement Programs.
- Your letter requested clarification on safety data sheets (SDSs) under the revised Hazard Communication standard (HCS 2012), 29 CFR 1910.1200.
- This letter constitutes OSHA¿s interpretation only of the requirements herein, and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence.
Your paraphrased questions and our responses are below. Question 1: If the end user company adds water to a concentrate solution prior to use, must the SDS for that product reflect the concentrate form of the chemical? If a company sells both concentrate and ready-to-use products, would each product require a unique SDS or would a single SDS suffice? Response: Manufacturers or importers are required to obtain or develop a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical that they produce.
See 1910.1200(g)(1). The SDS must reflect the concentrate form of the chemical since the end user is the one that adds the water. Additionally, if the manufacturer should reasonably know that a chemical is going to be used in a particular way (e.g., if the chemical is going to be mixed with water by the downstream user), and if that use creates a new hazard, the manufacturer must disclose the hazards of reaction product in Section 10(c) of the SDS.
See 1910.1200(g)(2)(x). If the concentrate chemical contains different ingredients than the ready-to-use chemical, unique SDSs must be developed for each chemical. Single SDSs are permitted only when mixtures have similar hazards and contents (i.e. the chemical ingredients are essentially the same, but the specific composition varies from mixture to mixture or batch to batch).
See 1910.1200, Appendix D. Question 2: If several hazardous chemicals are packaged in such a manner where each is in a separate inner container (e.g. epoxy syringe) or in a distinct compartment of a single container (e.g. amalgam capsule containing mercury and alloy powder), is an SDS required for each different hazardous chemical? Response: Yes, a separate SDS is required for each distinct hazardous chemical.
Paragraph 1910.1200(g)(1) requires chemical manufacturers or importers to develop an SDS for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Therefore, an SDS is required for each of the chemicals in the epoxy syringe and each of the chemicals in the amalgam capsule.
When a manufacturer or importer intends a chemical to be used with another chemical (e.g., that two chemicals in an epoxy syringe or an amalgam capsule will be mixed together), and that use creates a new hazard, the manufacturer must also disclose the hazards of reaction products in Section 10(c) (Stability and reactivity) of the SDS.
OSHA would require information on the safe handling and use of the reaction product in other sections of the SDS, if different than the individual components, such as 4 (First-aid measures), 5 (fire-fighting measures), 6 (accidental release measures), 7 (handling and storage), and 8 (exposure controls/personal protection).
- See 1910.1200(g)(2).
- In the examples you provided, if there are new hazards created by the reaction of the chemicals in a syringe or amalgam capsule, this information must be included on the SDSs for each hazardous chemical.
- As you may be aware, the State of Iowa is one of 25 states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that operates its own occupational safety and health program under a plan approved and monitored by federal OSHA.
Employers in the State of Iowa must comply with state occupational safety and health requirements. As a condition of plan approval, state plans are required to adopt and enforce occupational safety and health standards that are at least as effective as those promulgated by federal OSHA.
State interpretations of its standards must also be as least as effective as federal OSHA interpretations. If you would like further information regarding Iowa¿s occupational safety and health requirements, you may contact Iowa at the following address: Iowa Division of Labor Services 1000 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319-02209 Telephone: (515) 242-5870; Fax: (515) 281-7995 Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health.
We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations.
- This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation of the requirements discussed.
- Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules.
- Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.
- To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov,
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Health Enforcement at (202) 693-2190. Sincerely, Thomas Galassi, Director Directorate of Enforcement Programs
Who can write an SDS?
Who is responsible for writing a product’s SDS? – The manufacturer or distributor of the chemical itself is responsible for creating these safety data sheets. Anyone who creates a chemical in a laboratory which is sent to another facility is also responsible for writing an SDS.
Who creates safety data sheets?
Purpose – A Safety Data Sheet (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheet) is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product. SDSs contain useful information such as toxicity, flash point, procedures for spills and leaks, storage guidelines, and exposure control.
See SDS Explained to learn how to read a Safety Data Sheet.
What are the 5 physical hazards?
Physical hazard are based on the intrinsic properties of the chemical. There are five main classes of physical hazard namely Explosive, Flammable, Oxidising, Gases under Pressure and Corrosive to metals. These are then sub-divided into different categories depending on the degree of danger and these are assigned specific hazard statements to identity them.
What is a Level 4 hazard?2. Hazardous material levels range from 1 to 5, with level 1 being the least dangerous and level 6 being the most dangerous – Level 1: These are materials that are unlikely to cause harm when handled correctly and present no fire or explosion hazard Levels 2: These materials can be easily ignited, such as gasoline; they also have a high risk of causing an explosion Level 3-These substances could result in death with long-term exposure.
Level B- Alkalis react with water or other materials with the addition of heat. Level C- Explosive substances that react violently when mixed Level D- Substances that emit toxic vapors, such as hydrogen sulfide gas, when exposed to air. Level F- Flammable liquids and solids that will ignite at a specific temperature without any external flame. What are Category 1 and 2 hazards?Assessments are carried out on the property – A full inspection of a property will be completed by the council using a risk based assessment to consider the effect of any hazards in the property. The hazards are rated according to how serious they are and the effect they are having, or could have, on the occupants. Class 1 – Extreme (death from any cause, permanent loss of consciousness, regular severe pneumonia, 80% burn injuries)Class 2 – Severe (cardio-respiratory disease, asthma, loss of a hand or foot, serious factures, severe burns)Class 3 – Serious (chronic severe stress, mild heart attack, loss of finger, fractured skull and severe concussion)Class 4 – Moderate (occasional severe discomfort, mild pneumonia, broken finger, severe bruising, regular serious coughs and colds) Please see the document below for a detailed list of the 29 hazards and the four harm outcomes. HHSRS Hazards and Harm Outcomes (PDF) It must be remembered that all properties contain hazards and it is not possible to remove all of these. The emphasis is to minimise the risk to health and safety as far as possible either by removing the hazard completely or minimising the effect. If you have a complaint about poor housing conditions, please send a message to the Housing Standards team, How long is the SDS valid for?Reviewing and updating safety data sheets – Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals must review and update the information in an SDS every 5 years. All SDS must list the date when it was last reviewed and updated. This date is usually written in Section 16 – Any other relevant information, of the SDS. How many pictograms are there?There are nine pictograms under the GHS to convey the health, physical and environmental hazards. The final Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires eight of these pictograms, the exception being the environmental pictogram, as environmental hazards are not within OSHA’s jurisdiction. What are the 2 signal words used on an SDS sheet?There are only two signal words – ‘DANGER’ and ‘WARNING.’ Within a specific hazard class, ‘DANGER’ is used for the more severe hazards and ‘WARNING’ for the less severe hazards. What sections of the SDS are not mandatory?A safety data sheet (SDS) shall include the information specified in Table D.1 under the section number and heading indicated for sections 1-11 and 16. If no relevant information is found for any given subheading within a section, the SDS shall clearly indicate that no applicable information is available. Sections 12-15 may be included in the SDS, but are not mandatory. |
