Source: United States Department of Labor (https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html)
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) contains detailed information about properties, hazards and emergency actioc when handling a specific chemical. The United Nations requires a safety data sheet consisting of 16 sections dealing with information on all properties and safety measures of a chemical.
This section identifies the chemical on the SDS as well as the recommended uses. It also provides the essential contact information of the supplier. The required information consists of:
Please give the product identifier used on the label and any other common names by which the substance is known
Name, address, phone number of the manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party, and emergency phone number.
Recommended use of the chemical (e.g., a brief description of what it actually does, such as flame retardant) and any restrictions on use (including recommendations given by the supplier). 1
Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification
This section identifies the hazards of the chemical presented on the SDS and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards. The required information consists of:
What is the hazard classification of the chemical?
What is the Signal Word?
What are the Hazard Statement(s)?
Please take a picture of the pictograms or hazard symbols
What are the precautionary statement(s)?
Please describe any hazards not otherwise classified
For a mixture that contains an ingredient(s) with unknown toxicity, a statement describing how much (percentage) of the mixture consists of ingredient(s) with unknown acute toxicity
Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients
This section 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. The required information consists of
Information on the substances involved:
Give all available info on the substances (chemical name, common name, chemical abstracts service number, impurities and stabilizing additives)
Information on the mixtures
Give all available information required for the substances (chemical names, concentrations...)
Section 4: First-Aid Measures
This section describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical. The required information consists of:
Are the necessary first-aid instructions available by relevant routes of exposure (inhalation, skin, eye contact and ingestion)?
Are there discriptions of the most important symptoms or effects due to exposure to the chemical available?
Are recommendations for immediate medical care and special treatment needed?
Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures
This section provides recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical. The required information consists of:
Are recommendations of suitable extinguishing equipment, and information about extinguishing equipment that is not appropriate for a particular situation available?
Is advice provided on specific hazards that develop from the chemical during the fire, such as any hazardous combustion products created when the chemical burns?
Are recommendations on special protective equipment or precautions for firefighters provided?
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
This section 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. The required information may consist of recommendations for:
Are personal precautions (such as removal of ignition sources or providing sufficient ventilation) and protective equipment to prevent the contamination of skin, eyes, and clothing used in case of a spill or accident?
Are emergency procedures, including instructions for evacuations, consulting experts when needed, and appropriate protective clothing provided?
Are employees trained on methods and materials used for containment (e.g., covering the drains and capping procedures)?
Are employees trained on cleanup procedures (e.g., appropriate techniques for neutralization, decontamination, cleaning or vacuuming; adsorbent materials; and/or equipment required for containment/clean up)?
Section 7: Handling and Storage
This section provides guidance on the safe handling practices and conditions for safe storage of chemicals. The required information consists of:
Are employees trained on precautions for safe handling, including recommendations for handling incompatible chemicals, minimizing the release of the chemical into the environment, and providing advice on general hygiene practices (e.g., eating, drinking, and smoking in work areas is prohibited)?
Are employees trained on the recommendations on the conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities?
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
This section indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure. The required information consists of:
Are employees trained on OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the safety data sheet, where available?
Are employees trained on recommendations for personal protective measures to prevent illness or injury from exposure to chemicals, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., appropriate types of eye, face, skin or respiratory protection needed, based on hazards and potential exposure)?
Are employees trained on any special requirements for PPE, protective clothing or respirators (e.g., type of glove material, such as PVC or nitrile rubber gloves; and breakthrough time of the glove material)?
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties of the substance or mixture
This section identifies physical and chemical properties associated with the substance or mixture. The minimum required information consists of:
Please describe the appearance (physical state, color...)
What is the the upper flammability or explosive limits
What is the lower flammability or explosive limits
Please describe the odor
What is the vapor pressure?
What is the odor threshold?
What is the vapor density?
What is the pH (if it is a solution)?
What is the relative density?
What is the melting point?
What is the freezing point?
What is the initial boiling point?
What is the boiling range?
What is the flash point?
What is the evaporation rate?
What is the flammability?
What is the partition coefficient (n-octanol/water)?
What is the auto-ignition temperature?
What is the decomposition temperature?
Describe the viscosity
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
This section describes the reactivity hazards of the chemical and the chemical stability information. This section is broken into three parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other. The required information consists of:
Reactivity
Description of the specific test data for the chemical(s). This data can be for a class or family of the chemical if such data adequately represent the anticipated hazard of the chemical(s), where available
Chemical stability
Indication of whether the chemical is stable or unstable under normal ambient temperature and conditions while in storage and being handled.
Description of any stabilizers that may be needed to maintain chemical stability.
Indication of any safety issues that may arise should the product change in physical appearance.
Other
Indication of the possibility of hazardous reactions, including a statement whether the chemical will react or polymerize, which could release excess pressure or heat, or create other hazardous conditions. Also, a description of the conditions under which hazardous reactions may occur.
List of all conditions that should be avoided (e.g., static discharge, shock, vibrations, or environmental conditions that may lead to hazardous conditions).
List of all classes of incompatible materials (e.g., classes of chemicals or specific substances) with which the chemical could react to produce a hazardous situation.
List of any known or anticipated hazardous decomposition products that could be produced because of use, storage, or heating. (Hazardous combustion products should also be included in Section 5 (Fire-Fighting Measures) of the SDS.)
Section 11: Toxicological Information
This section identifies toxicological and health effects information or indicates that such data are not available. The required information consists of:
Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact). The SDS should indicate if the information is unknown.
Description of the delayed, immediate, or chronic effects from short- and long-term exposure.
The numerical measures of toxicity (e.g., acute toxicity estimates such as the LD50 (median lethal dose)) - the estimated amount [of a substance] expected to kill 50% of test animals in a single dose.
Description of the symptoms. This description includes the symptoms associated with exposure to the chemical including symptoms from the lowest to the most severe exposure.
Indication of whether the chemical is listed in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens (latest edition) or has been found to be a potential carcinogen in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest editions) or found to be a potential carcinogen by OSHA
Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory)
This section provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the environment. The information may include:
Data from toxicity tests performed on aquatic and/or terrestrial organisms, where available (e.g., acute or chronic aquatic toxicity data for fish, algae, crustaceans, and other plants; toxicity data on birds, bees, plants).
Whether there is a potential for the chemical to persist and degrade in the environment either through biodegradation or other processes, such as oxidation or hydrolysis.
Results of tests of bioaccumulation potential, making reference to the octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) and the bioconcentration factor (BCF), where available.
The potential for a substance to move from the soil to the groundwater (indicate results from adsorption studies or leaching studies).
This section 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. The information may include:
Description of appropriate disposal containers to use.
Recommendations of appropriate disposal methods to employ.
Description of the physical and chemical properties that may affect disposal activities.
Language discouraging sewage disposal.
Any special precautions for landfills or incineration activities
Section 14: Transport Information (non-mandatory)
This section provides guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting of hazardous chemical(s) by road, air, rail, or sea. The information may include:
UN number (i.e., four-figure identification number of the substance)
UN proper shipping name
Transport hazard class(es)
Packing group number, if applicable, based on the degree of hazard
Environmental hazards (e.g., identify if it is a marine pollutant according to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)).
Guidance on transport in bulk (according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code)).
Any special precautions which an employee should be aware of or needs to comply with, in connection with transport or conveyance either within or outside their premises (indicate when information is not available).
Section 15: Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)
This section identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS. The information may include:
Any national and/or regional regulatory information of the chemical or mixtures (including any OSHA, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, or Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations)
Section 16: Other Information
This section 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.
Please note that this checklist template is a hypothetical appuses-hero example and provides only standard information. The template does not aim to replace, among other things, workplace, health and safety advice, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or any other applicable law. You should seek your professional advice to determine whether the use of such a checklist is appropriate in your workplace or jurisdiction.
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