Using Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

When working with chemicals, you must be familiar with a material’s properties so you can take the proper safety precautions. This is accomplished by using Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Your First Stop: The SDS

SDSs protect you from hazardous materials in the workplace by providing information about a substance’s properties, precautions for safe handling, use and storage, potential health hazards and first aid procedures. Before you begin working with a new chemical, always reference the SDS.

The easiest way to look up a material is by the name listed on the product’s label. The SDS information may look a bit confusing at first, so here’s how the information is typically grouped:insurance, horst insurance, safety data sheet, sds, hazardous materials, ghs

  1. Identification
  2. Hazard identification
  3. Composition/information on ingredients
  4. First-aid measures
  5. Fire-fighting measures
  6. Accidental release measures
  7. Handling and storage
  8. Exposure controls/personal protection
  9. Physical and chemical properties
  10. Stability and reactivity
  11. Toxicological information
  12. Ecological information
  13. Disposal considerations
  14. Transport information
  15. Regulatory information
  16. Other information

When reviewing a SDS, scan it for safety precautions, health effects, storage, specific cautions and disposal instructions before using any chemical for the first time.

In Case of Emergency

A SDS is an excellent source of information to consult when a person is exposed to a hazardous product by inhalation, spillage, etc. It’s your job to learn about a material’s hazardous properties before an emergency occurs. What if a chemical splashes into a co-worker’s eyes? You’ll want to know how to help immediately, rather than waste valuable time by having to track down the SDS for first aid recommendations.

Remember, while instructions on the SDS can be helpful in emergencies, they do not replace those of a health care professional. If an incident does occur, make sure to contact the appropriate medical personnel immediately.