Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is formerly called as Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Product Safety Data Sheet. SDS is a document providing information related to occupational safety and health hazards and instructions for safe use of the specific substances.
SDS is a universally used system for enlisting physicochemical properties of chemicals, chemical compounds, chemical mixtures, their toxicity, flash point, storage instructions,
prevention for exposure and leak and spill control. It also includes directives for safe use and potential risks pertaining to a particular chemical.
Composing Safety Data Sheet
SDS is a very crucial equipment for the safety of people handling chemicals. It must be composed of safety personnel having relevant knowledge, experience, and training. SDS is prepared either on paper or electronically in the official local languages where the chemical is being supplied and used. It is in requisite universally accepted GHS’s 16 section format. The language should be clear and concise. Dated and pages are numbered.
SDS should be supplied with the delivery of chemicals. If there is any information, any sanctions that is granted or refused or any restriction is imposed by REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction on Chemical) should be updated immediately. And provided to those who had received it during the last 12 months.
Safety Data Sheet Format
Former MSDS could defer from place to place. Formerly Generic names of materials are used to express the formulation of chemicals. Generic names may vary from source to source and place to
place; even between manufacturers of the same place. Hence the major countries internationally agreed-upon replacement of the previously used system with GHS (Globally Harmonised System Of Classification) for classification and labeling of hazardous material. This United Nations & set up incorporated with a Criteria to standardize hazard testing and universal warning symbols. That helped in harmonizing SDS.
Now chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers have to provide new Safety Data Sheets in a uniform 16- Section format that includes the section numbers, headings, and associated information as 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 chemical supplier such as contact number, Email ID, Address, etc.
SECTION 2 – HAZARDS
Includes the hazards of the chemical and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards.
SECTION 3 – COMPOSITION/ INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
The ingredients contained in the product indicated on the SDS, including impurities and stabilizing additives. This section includes information on the formulation of substances, mixtures, and all chemicals.
SECTION 4 – FIRST-AID MEASURES
Describes the initial care that should be given by untrained been affected on exposure to the chemical.
SECTION 5 – FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES LISTS
Instruct about fighting a fire caused by the chemical, including effective extinguishing techniques with suitable equipment, and measures to avoid chemical hazards from fire.
SECTION 6 – ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Provides recommendations on the appropriate response to spills and leakage including containment and clean-up practices to prevent or minimize exposure to people, properties, or the environment. It may also include recommendations for distinguishing between responses for large and small spills where the spill volume has affected the hazard significantly.
SECTION 7 – HANDLING AND STORAGE
Provides guidelines to follow for the safe handling practices and for safe storage of chemicals, considering anomalies.
SECTION 8 – EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Provides information related to the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) measures that can be helpful to minimal exposure to workers.
SECTION 9 – PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Gives information about physicochemical properties associated with the chemical or mixture.
SECTION 10 – STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Describes the hazards on the reactivity of the chemical and the chemical stability information. This section is segmented into 3 parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and others.
SECTION 11 – TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Identifies toxic health effects information including factors responsible for exposure, related symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of toxicity. If the above information about the chemical is not available, it also mentioned so.
SECTION 12 – ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Supplies information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical on the environment and how it may affect flora and fauna if leaks out.
SECTION 13 – DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Provides guidance on proper disposal, recycling, or reclamation of the chemical or its container, and safe handling practices. To minimize exposure. the section also refers to Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) of the SDS.
SECTION 14 – TRANSPORT INFORMATION
About guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting of hazardous chemicals by various means: road, air, rail, or sea.
SECTION 15 – REGULATORY INFORMATION
Explains the safety, health, and environmental regulations especially for the chemical that is not mentioned anywhere else on the SDS.
SECTION 16 – OTHER INFORMATION
Informs that when the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision was updated. This also states where the changes have been made to the previous version. You can contact the provider for an explanation of the changes. Other useful information also may be included here.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON RECEIVING SAFETY DATA SHEET
- Confirm that the SDS is in GHS’s 16 section format.
- Confirm that it is in local language and instructions are in detail, clear and understandable.
- Make certain that chemical labels are exactly as instructed in section 2.
- If not satisfied with the information provided in SDS, contact the supplier and ask for the updated version.
- Prepare risk assessment and risk management plans, protective measures or actions to be taken in emergency relevant to the information provided in SDS.
- Store SDS as a hardcopy or electronically such that it is easily assessable, handy to all employees.
- SDS helps anybody to keep account of all chemicals in the workplace.
- Trained employees to get information from SDS before handling the chemical.
- Extra or out of date copies are not being stored.
Every chemical manufacturer, distributor, supplier, and the further user must provide SDS for each potentially hazardous chemical. This helps to appraise information handy to each person handling chemicals. Safety Data Sheet is a very useful tool for the safe practice of storing and handling hazardous chemicals and ultimately in sustaining a safe working environment.
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