SDS Sheets - Fundamental Standard Requirements

The OSHA standard for Hazard Communication - 1910.1200 entered the business world in 1983 for manufacturing and was expanded to all industries in 1987. The standard was updated in 2012 and again in 2024 to align the OSHA standard with a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS). The term Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) was replaced with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

How Hazard Communication Works

The fundamental elements of the standard require that the employer conduct an inventory of chemicals in the workplace and document the hazards related to those chemicals. The standard called for all containers to be labeled with hazard information and that all employees be trained in the hazard recognition process in use. Employees were also to have access to the MSDS for chemicals in use at their workplace.

The chemical industry originally developed MSDS sheets to meet this standard. The difficulty was that no consistent standard existed for the MSDS. While the standard required certain information, the placement of that information was inconsistent. This made the use of MSDS in an emergency a challenge.

Labeling was a second challenge. You could not attach a multi-page MSDS to each container, so a number of systems evolved for numerical hazard ratings. While the systems looked alike, the definitions of the hazard ratings were inconsistent.

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Global Harmonization

In 2012 OSHA agreed to adopt GHS as the basis for hazard communication. The GHS had a standard for communicating hazard s and their SDS sheets became the required tool. The SDS has 16 sections.

1. Identification: Includes the chemical name, recommended uses, and supplier contact information. 

2. Hazard(s) identification: Describes the hazards of the chemical, including physical hazards, health hazards, and environmental hazards, along with warning information. 

3. Composition/information on ingredients: Lists the ingredients of the chemical, their concentrations, and other relevant information. 

4. First-aid measures: Provides guidance on what to do if someone is exposed to the chemical, including first aid procedures. 

5. Firefighting measures: Details on how to extinguish fires involving the chemical and what hazards might be present. 

6. Accidental release measures: Outlines procedures for dealing with spills or leaks, including containment and cleanup methods. 

7. Handling and storage: Provides instructions on how to handle and store the chemical safely, including precautions for safe handling and storage. 

8. Exposure controls/personal protection: Specifies exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) required to minimize exposure to the chemical. 

9. Physical and chemical properties: Describes the physical and chemical characteristics of the chemical, such as boiling point, melting point, and solubility. 

10. Stability and reactivity: Explains the stability of the chemical and what conditions or substances might cause it to react dangerously. 

11. Toxicological information: Provides information about the health effects of exposure to the chemical, including routes of exposure, acute and chronic health effects, and other toxicological data. 

12. Ecological information: Describes the environmental impact of the chemical, including its potential to harm the environment and guidance on how to minimize its environmental impact. 

13. Disposal considerations: Provides information on how to properly dispose of the chemical and any associated waste. 

14. Transport information: Includes information relevant to the transportation of the chemical, such as hazard class, packing group, and other transport regulations. 

15. Regulatory information: Lists any regulatory requirements that apply to the chemical, such as environmental regulations or other safety regulations. 

16. Other information: Includes any other relevant information about the chemical, such as the date of preparation or revision of the SDS. 

Why is this Important?

Beyond the regulatory requirements, SDS sheets can be invaluable in employee safety and health. By clearly identifying the health and safety impacts of chemicals, the employer and employees can make informed choices. The data being in a consistent format allows immediate retrieval of needed facts in an emergency. The use of standard warning words and pictograms allow faster recognition of hazards.

The Driehaus Difference

We can help our clients build an effective Hazard Communication program. Involving both insurance carriers’ resources as well as OSHA resources to bring clarity to an issue that is effective at improving safety is a positive outcome for all involved. We want to help you solve risk management questions and be your insurance provider. Call us at 513-977-6860 or contact us on the internet at www.driehausins.com