A safety data sheets (SDS) is an important document to make easily available critical information about hazards from chemicals to users. With an updated SDS, you will understand how to properly use and store the substance, mitigate risks, produce safety training or SOP’s, and, of course comply with OSHA. An acceptable SDS needs to be adapted to the Globalized Harmonized System (GHS). 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. The information contained in the SDS must be in English. It is the PIs responsibility to train lab personnel on how to access lab SDSs and provide information on chemical hazards. The SDS must be available for chemicals in the laboratory and provided either physically or digitally.
The SDS is broken down into 16 sections:
Section 1 Identification. This section provides information of the product itself as product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
Section 2 Hazard(s) identification. This section provides information of all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.
Section 3 Composition. This section provides information on ingredients, on ingredients percentage if apply, and trade secret claims.
Section 4 First-aid measures. This section provides information of what to do in case of emergencies and includes important symptoms/effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
Section 5 Fire-fighting measures. This section provides lists of suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.
Section 6 Accidental release measures. This section provides lists of emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.
Section 7 Handling and storage. This section provides information lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.
Section 8 Exposure controls/personal protection. This section provides lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the SDS where available as well as appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
Section 9 Physical and chemical properties. This section provides minimal information about:
- Appearance (physical state, color, etc.);
- Upper/lower flammability or explosivelimits;
- Odor;
- Odorthreshold;
- Vaporpressure;
- Vapordensity;
- pH;
- Relativedensity;
- Melting point/freezingpoint;
- Solubility(ies);
- Initial boiling point and boilingrange;
- Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water;
- Flashpoint;
- Auto-ignitiontemperature;
- Evaporationrate;
- Decompositiontemperature;
- Flammability (solid, gas); and
- Viscosity.
Section 10 Stability and reactivity. This section provides guidance on chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions. Detailing the reactivity 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. Additionally, Chemical stability is described as an 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. Finally, this section indicates any safety issues that may arise should the product change in physical appearance.
Section 11 Toxicological information. This section provides guidance on routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact); Description of the delayed, immediate, or chronic effects from short- and long-term exposure related symptoms (acute and chronic effects); Numerical measures of toxicity. The numerical measures of toxicity (e.g., acute toxicity estimates such as the LD50).
Section 12 Ecological information. This section provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the environment.
Section 13 Disposal considerations. 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.
Section 14 Transport information. 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
- UN proper shipping name.
- Transport hazard class(es).
- Packing group number, if applicable
- 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.
- 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. 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 includes the date of preparation or last revision. 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.
All sections provide valuable information, but the most critical sections are Section 2: Hazard identification, Section 4: First aid measures, Section 7: Handling and storage, Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection and Section 10: Stability & Reactivity.
Each chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides detailed information on its properties, hazards, and safety precautions. Familiarize yourself with the SDS for each chemical in your lab to understand the specific risks and necessary precautions.
Ultimately, the goal of the SDS is to provide information to reduce the likelihood of illness and injury related to chemical exposure.
The University of Miami has a digital service for quick access to safety data sheets. If you want to access an SDS , click or scan:
