The Safety Data Sheet for a product includes important information on the chemical properties, the physical, health and environmental hazards, and safety precautions for handling, storing and transporting the product. The current Safety Data Sheets comply with the US OSHA Hazcom 2012 GHS regulations and have 16 sections of safety and hazard information. The Safety Data Sheets must contain the 16 sections to comply with the UN GHS standards but only sections 1-11 & 16 are mandated by OSHA as sections 12-15 contain matters that are regulated by other agencies. Here we break down 5 major sections and explain why the information is important for product selection.
Section 1: Identification
The first section of a Safety Data Sheet will contain the product’s name, code, usage, manufacturer name and emergency contact information. This information will tell you what the manufacturer suggested usage is and the contact information will be useful for contacting the manufacturer with questions or in in times of an emergency (spills, damages, etc.).
Section 2: Hazard Identification
The second section of a Safety Data Sheet will list any hazards of the product if applicable. It will contain the GHS hazard pictogram(s) along with the hazard and precautionary statements relating to the types of hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal. If a product is not hazardous, this section will not contain any hazard information. Shown below is an example of what section 2 of a product Safety Data Sheet may look like:
Section 2.1 lists the GHS hazards; there are three types of hazards that a material can be classified as: physical, health and environmental. The environmental hazards are not required by OSHA.
The physical hazards are hazards that can cause damage to the body and surrounding areas and materials (i.e. skin corrosion, metal corrosion, flammable liquid) whereas health hazards can cause damage to human health (i.e. respiratory, vision).
Section 2.2 contains the hazard pictograms and statements. The pictograms correspond to different hazards and are used to tell the user quickly what and how severe the hazard is. For example, pictured above is the flammable and exclamation pictograms; the flammable pictogram is used for physical hazards indicating that the material is flammable, and the exclamation pictogram is used for health hazards indicating a hazard to human health.
The hazard statements relay the hazards and degree of the hazard of the material. The precautionary statements describe the measures advised to minimize or prevent adverse effects of the material and proper handling.
Section 8: Exposure Control/Personal Protection
The eighth section of a Safety Data Sheet will contain the exposure limits and suggested controls for the product during use. This information should be checked to see what safe levels the user of the product can be exposed to while using the product and what the suggested exposure controls are from the manufacturer to prevent exposure. The exposure limits on Magnaflux SDSs are listed by individual ingredient. This is done to provide all available data to those using the product. Some products may require little Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and environmental controls where other more hazardous products will require more stringent PPE and environmental controls to reduce exposure to the user and the environment. It is suggested that when reviewing this section to work with your EHS professional or equivalent to determine the appropriate exposure limits and controls.
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
The ninth section of the Safety Data Sheet contains the physical and chemical properties of the product. The information in this section is very useful in determining if the product is comparable to another or compatible for the parts and process it will be used in.
Section 15: Regulatory Information
The fifteenth section of the Safety Data Sheet contains various regulatory information about the product. This is one of the sections of a Safety Data Sheet that is not mandatory so the information that is listed is up to the manufacturer to provide. This section is useful to check and see if the product is compliant with any regulations applicable to the user’s location.
Magnaflux is completely transparent with their product documentation, therefore safety data sheets are readily available and easy to find. Download relevant Safety Data Sheets and be sure you understand what chemicals you are handling.
Published October 2, 2018
FAQs
An SDS (formerly known as MSDS) 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.
What is a safety data sheet and its importance when handling chemical reagents? ›
Safety Data Sheets are a summary of the health hazards of the material and associated recommended safe work practices. Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required by OSHA to be sent by chemical manufacturers to the purchasers of their chemicals.
What information is found in the physical and chemical properties section of a safety data sheets? ›
Section 9.
Listing of the physical and chemical properties of the product including: appearance, odour, odour threshold (if applicable), pH, melting/freezing point, boiling point and range, flash point, upper and lower flammable or explosive limits.
How do you manage a Safety Data Sheet? ›
Maintain
In general, selecting from a central location that is easily accessible to all employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals is key. The storage should be well-organized, to make SDSs easy to locate and retrieve.
What are 5 key things that an SDS tells you? ›
SDSs tell users what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, how to recognize symptoms of exposure, and what to do if emergencies occur.
What is Safety Data Sheet supplied with all chemicals? ›
Safety data sheets (SDS's) provide useful information on chemicals, describing the hazards the chemical presents, and giving information on handling, storage and emergency measures in case of an accident. Over the coming years, SDSs may include further information on safe handling, in the form of exposure scenarios.
Where can you find the Safety Data Sheet on a chemical? ›
It may be attached to the product label or available as a separate document. Remember that safety data sheets provide critical information about the hazards, safe handling, storage, disposal, and emergency procedures associated with a particular chemical.
Are Safety Data Sheets required for all chemicals? ›
Every chemical manufacturer or importer must provide an SDS for any hazardous materials they sell, and OSHA requires that all workplaces in the United States keep an SDS for every hazardous chemical onsite.
Why is it important to read and understand a safety data sheet? ›
Material safety data sheets are very important because they alert workers and end users to the potential hazards posed by a particular chemical product. They also provide essential information on how to store, handle and dispose of hazardous substances correctly, as well as first aid measures in case of exposure.
Why are data sheets important? ›
Importance of datasheets
Helps in making a good buying decision for the customers. Provide detailed information about the product. It best describes the technical specifications of a product, material or service. The safety data sheets are usually kept in a specific location and are available to all employees.
The purpose of a safety data sheet (SDS) is to provide vital information on how to store, handle, use, and dispose of chemicals correctly. It can help anyone working with hazardous substances to understand the specific risks posed by certain chemicals.
Where is important information about chemicals found? ›
This information must be made available in two places: the chemical label and the material safety data sheet (MSDS). Thus, the information found on the original container label and the MSDS may provide a great deal of information about the identity of the chemical constituents and their health and physical hazards.
What information sheets listing information about a chemical and the hazards are called? ›
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products.
How to read a Safety Data Sheet? ›
How Many Sections Does an SDS Have?
- Section1: Identification of the substance or mixture.
- Section 2: Hazard(s) identification.
- Section 3: Composition and information on ingredients.
- Section 4: First aid measures.
- Section 5: Firefighting measures.
- Section 6: Accidental release measures.
- Section 7: Handling and storage.
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 is the interpretation of material safety data sheet? ›
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides basic information on a material or chemical product. A MSDS describes the properties and potential hazards of the material, how to use it safely, and what to do in an emergency.
What are the 16 sections of SDS? ›
Here's a brief explanation of each of the 16 sections within an SDS.
- Identification. ...
- Hazards. ...
- Composition and Ingredient Information. ...
- First Aid Measures. ...
- Firefighting Measures. ...
- Accidental Release Measures. ...
- Handling and Storage. ...
- Exposure Controls and Personal Protection.
When Should You Read the SDS for a Hazardous Product? You should always familiarize yourself with the hazards of a product before using it. Make sure you know the hazards, understand how to store and safely handle the hazardous product—and what to do in an emergency.
