Simplifying the SDS - What you should already know.
CONTENTS - WHAT'S COVERED?
What is a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that provides detailed information about a hazardous chemical. It’s broken down into 16 sections and contains important and useful information about storage, first aid, PPE, physical and material impacts, product characteristics, GHS classifications, and much more.
An SDS can also be used to assist in risks assessments and is an excellent tool for training workers on how to use a chemical safely.
Under the WHS Act, a current SDS must be available for every hazardous chemical on site, and it needs to be accessible to anyone likely to come into contact with the product. Workers must know how to locate SDS’s and be familiar with the type of information that can be found within the document.
What chemicals require an SDS & what's a Hazardous Chemical?
Under the WHS Act, a current SDS must be available for every hazardous chemical on site. There are a small number of circumstances where WHS Regulations do not require an SDS to be prepared for hazardous chemicals which can be found under the Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals.
A chemical that is not hazardous does not require a safety data sheet although some manufacturers still make them available.
Hazardous Chemicals are substances that present a risk to a person’s health at the workplace, either short or long term. They are divided into nine categories based on their physical, health and environmental hazards and are regulated by Safe Work Australia under the GHS. This will be illustrated on the label in the form of a pictogram - a black symbol on a white background surrounded by a red diamond.
Head to my post on GHS Hazard Pictograms for further details on each category and download the free GHS Hazard Pictogram wall chart while you're there.
Who supplies an SDS and how can I obtain one?
Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals have duties under Section 330 of the WHS Regulation to provide current information about a hazardous chemical in the form of an SDS.
The supplier of this chemical must provide a copy of the SDS with the chemical on first supply to the workplace and the chemical shouldn’t be used until a copy has been supplied.
To obtain an SDS you should contact the supplier or manufacturer of the product. It’s worth checking their website too as some companies have them available for download. If the supplier won't provide you with an SDS after asking for it, then you can contact your
Anyone who repackages or relabels a hazardous chemical with their own product name is considered to be a manufacturer. Therefore they have the same obligations as a manufacturer or importer under the WHS Regulations in preparing and supplying an updated and compliant SDS.
How do I store SDS’s at the workplace and who needs access to them?
Regulation 346 of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations requires all hazardous chemicals that are stored, handled or used at a workplace to be listed on a Hazardous Chemical Register, accompanied by the SDS’s for each chemical listed.
This can be stored electronically or in hard copy but it must be readily accessible to all workers involved in the use, storage, and handling of the hazardous chemicals. This includes safety/emergency personnel who may need to be involved during an emergency situation.
If storing electronically, considerations should be made regarding:
Access if power is lost or isolated.
Staff ability and knowledge to use the system.
Any authority restrictions in place to access the database.
If the area is secured throughout the day, eg. an office that is locked when unattended.
You can download an editable Hazardous Chemical Register template (xlsx) here.
What does the GHS have to do with it?
The GHS is an international system for classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals. It provides a consistent worldwide standard for the way chemicals are classified and how information is communicated.
Specific information and terminology needs to be included on the chemical label and in the SDS, such as the following, before it can be supplied, accepted, or used:
Name, address and telephone number of the Australian manufacturer or importer.
Product Name or Identifier and the hazardous proportion disclosed.
Signal Words: One of two signal words are used: Danger or Warning.
Hazard Statements: GHS classes and categories have certain statements to describe a hazard’s nature. For example, ‘Causes serious eye damage’ or ‘Toxic if swallowed’.
Precautionary Statements: Explains how to use and store chemicals safely such as ‘Protect from moisture’ or ‘Keep only in original container’.
Hazard Pictograms: Divided into nine categories that represent the physical, health, and environmental hazards and illustrated by a black symbol on a white background surrounded by a red diamond. The image is only necessary for labels, it’s not mandatory on SDS’s however it needs to indicate the appropriate hazard class and category.
Further detailed information can be found in the Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals.
So What Info Will I find in an SDS
The information within the SDS refers to the neat (undiluted) form unless otherwise stated. An SDS which complies with the WHS Regulations contains the following 16 sections each with specific information relating to the chemical being used, handled, stored, transported or disposed.
The first image simplifies the sections with a simple overview and the second image describes each section individually in more detail.
Simplified Overview
Detailed Overview
Need more info?
For further information and professional advice the Safe Work Australia website offers an abundance of information and resources and a good place to start.