From HSI, a provider of environmental health and safety and workforce-development software, training, and compliance solutions, comes this detailed lesson on how to read a safety data sheet (SDS)—and even includes a short instructional video.
SDSs cover the physical and environmental hazards of a chemical, and precautions for safe handling, storage, and transportation of the chemical. The article and video explain the 16 sections of an SDS, including:
- Identifying the ingredient(s) of the chemical product, including impurities and stabilizing additives.
- The initial treatment protocol for untrained responders to incidents of chemical exposure.
- Recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical.
- The appropriate response to chemical spills, leaks, or releases, including containment, and cleanup.
- Proper disposal, recycling or reclamation of the chemical(s) or its container, and safe handling practices.
“Keep in mind that some SDSs may be 15 pages or more,” the article concludes. “Depending on the complexity of the chemical or substances therein, each section may have multiple descriptive fields with additional detail, providing different levels of information.”