A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standardized document providing comprehensive information about hazardous substances used in the workplace. It is the foundation for chemical hazard communication, ensuring workers and emergency responders have the necessary details to handle materials safely. The global standard for this communication is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). A GHS Safety Data Sheet is required to contain 16 mandatory sections that must appear in a fixed sequence.
Understanding the Global Harmonization System Framework
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) was created to establish a single, consistent system for classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information worldwide. Before the GHS, varied regulations led to conflicting hazard classifications and labeling requirements, causing confusion for workers and hindering international trade.
The GHS framework provides a common approach to defining health, physical, and environmental hazards. It standardizes communication elements, including the format of labels and the SDS structure, enhancing safety and facilitating the movement of chemicals across borders.
The 16 Required Sections of a GHS Safety Data Sheet
The 16-section format ensures information is always presented in the same fixed order, allowing users to quickly locate specific details, especially during an emergency. The sections are conceptually grouped. The first eight sections contain information most useful to workers and emergency personnel for immediate safety measures. Sections nine through eleven provide technical and scientific data, while the final five sections cover ecological, disposal, transport, and regulatory considerations.
Identification
This section provides the product identifier (name or number used to identify the chemical), its recommended uses, and any restrictions on use. It must also contain the supplier’s contact information, including the manufacturer’s or distributor’s name, address, and emergency phone number.
Hazard(s) Identification
This section details the chemical’s hazard classification, including the nature and severity of the hazard. It includes required GHS label elements: the signal word, hazard statements, and corresponding hazard pictograms. This section also addresses relevant hazards that do not result in a formal classification (unclassified hazards).
Composition/Information on Ingredients
This section discloses the chemical identity of the substance. For mixtures, it lists the ingredients contributing to the hazard classification. It includes the concentration range of each hazardous ingredient and information regarding any trade secret claims.
First-Aid Measures
This section outlines the immediate care required if a worker is exposed to the substance via inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion. It describes the necessary first-aid procedures. It also lists the most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed, that may occur.
Fire-Fighting Measures
This section provides details specific to fighting a fire involving the chemical. This includes the appropriate extinguishing media (e.g., water spray, foam, or dry chemical). It describes specific hazards that may arise during a fire, such as toxic combustion products, and outlines the protective equipment needed for firefighters.
Accidental Release Measures
This section specifies the appropriate emergency procedures, personal precautions, and protective equipment for a spill or release. It provides guidance on proper methods for containment and cleanup. This includes techniques for preventing the material from entering waterways or sewers.
Handling and Storage
This section describes the necessary precautions for safe handling, including measures to prevent the formation of aerosols or dusts and guidance on proper ventilation. It also specifies conditions for safe storage, such as avoiding incompatible materials and maintaining appropriate temperatures.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
This section lists the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and other recommended exposure limits (e.g., Threshold Limit Values, or TLVs). It describes appropriate engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation. It also specifies the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, eye protection, and respirators.
Physical and Chemical Properties
This section provides measurable data characterizing the chemical, including its appearance, odor, pH, melting and boiling points, flash point, and flammability. This data helps users understand the substance’s behavior under various conditions and assists in risk assessment.
Stability and Reactivity
This section details the chemical’s stability and potential for hazardous reactions. It indicates whether the substance is stable or unstable under normal conditions of storage and handling. It lists conditions to avoid, such as heat or shock, and identifies incompatible materials that could cause a violent reaction.
Toxicological Information
This section includes a description of the toxicological effects and the data used to identify them. It details the routes of exposure, the acute and chronic health effects, and whether the substance is listed as a potential carcinogen.
Ecological Information
This section provides data to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical if released. It covers aspects like ecotoxicity, persistence and degradability, and bioaccumulative potential. Although not enforced by U.S. OSHA, this information is required by the GHS and other international regulations.
Disposal Considerations
This section outlines guidance on proper disposal methods for the chemical, including contaminated packaging. It directs users to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations when disposing of waste, addressing recycling and reclamation options.
Transport Information
This section details information required for shipping and transporting the hazardous chemical. This includes the UN number, the proper shipping name, and the transport hazard class. This aids in compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and international transport regulations.
Regulatory Information
This section lists the specific safety, health, and environmental regulations that apply to the product, which vary by country or region. It helps users identify if the chemical is subject to specific national or local inventories, laws, or reporting requirements.
Other Information
This final section provides details on the preparation and revision of the Safety Data Sheet, including the date of the latest revision. It may also include a key or legend to explain abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the document.
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
The legal requirement for the 16-section SDS format stems from national regulations aligning with the GHS. In the United States, this mandate falls under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom 2012). This standard requires chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors to provide the GHS-formatted SDS with every hazardous chemical shipment.
OSHA enforces compliance through inspections and citations, ensuring SDSs are readily accessible to workers and that the information is accurate. Violations of the HazCom standard, such as failing to provide a complete or accessible SDS, can result in significant financial penalties. Internationally, major economies like the European Union, Canada, and Asia-Pacific nations have adopted the GHS, making the 16-section SDS a globally accepted legal requirement.
Key Differences Between MSDS and SDS Formats
The current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format replaced the older Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) format to achieve global standardization. The primary difference is the rigid, prescribed structure of the SDS, which follows the GHS-mandated 16-section order. The older MSDS format lacked this uniformity, allowing manufacturers to use varied layouts and often containing only nine to twelve sections in no fixed sequence.
The transition to SDS eliminated inconsistency, making it easier for workers and emergency personnel to quickly find information. The SDS uses standardized headings and a fixed structure, simplifying hazard communication for companies operating internationally.